Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Veterans Affairs healthcare system is seeking highly skilled and autonomous Grade 3 Physician Assistants (PAs) to join our dedicated team. The ideal candidates will conduct independent history taking and physical examinations, prescribe medications, and review laboratory data and diagnostic studies. Responsibilities include performing clinic chart reviews, formulating clinical diagnoses, and implementing treatment plans autonomously. PAs will enter electronic notes and coordinate appointments with all services without supervision. Additionally, candidates will work with the Section Chief to establish administrative, clinical, and research goals, often taking a leading role. Teaching responsibilities include mentoring new physicians and residents. Join us to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Physician Assistant (PA) responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Leading out-patient clinics, pre-op workups, and post-operative follow-ups independently.
• Conducting comprehensive history taking and physicals on assigned patients.
• Managing and overseeing Surgical Clinics and independent clinic activities.
• Leading daily rounds in SICU and clinical wards with complete documentation and orders.
• Providing advanced education to surgical residents and nursing staff.
• Serving as First or Second Assist in the OR with great autonomy.
• Acting as a key liaison between physician and nursing staff independently.
• Performing complex procedures within the scope of practice autonomously.
• Demonstrating expertise in diagnosing and treating critically ill multi-system patients with minimal supervision.
• Integrating OR and SICU assignments to ensure seamless patient transitions and providing comprehensive emotional and educational support to patients and families.

Conditions of employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen.
• Education: Must be a graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations & must also meet one of the following: (1) Master's degree in any discipline; or (2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
• Certification: Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or is in the process of taking the exam).
• License: Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State.
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

• Physician Assistant-I (PA-I):
  • Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. PAs at this grade are expected to present the following minimum skill set:
    • Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.
    • Ability to perform patient history and physical.
    • Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.
    • Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.

• Physician Assistant-II (PA-II):
  • Experience and Education. PAs at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences as indicated in the KSAs listed below. Individuals will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. Individuals demonstrate the KSAs of PA-II intermediate level by:
    • Two years of successful practice as a PA. -or-
    • Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-
    • A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. PAs at this grade should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire the following skill set not met upon appointment for PA-II:
    • Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
    • Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
    • Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
    • Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
    • Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.

• Physician Assistant-III (PA-III):
  • Experience and Education. PAs at this grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multi-disciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspects of patient care across the health care system. They utilize advanced clinical knowledge and judgment in decision-making and evaluating outcomes. They function as experts in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities, may serve as mentors for transitioning PAs, and may provide training for health care students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by:
    • Three years of successful practice as a PA. -or-
    • Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency and one year of professional practice as a PA. -or-
    • A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and one year of professional practice as a PA.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. PAs at this level should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire the following skills set not met upon appointment for PA-III:
    • Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
    • Skill to consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients through facility Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE).
    • Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
    • Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
    • Ability to implement and initiate clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings to enhance patient delivery care for improved patient outcomes.
    • Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

NOTE: Incomplete packets will not be considered. Failure to submit the required documentation will make you ineligible for this position.

The following documents are required from all applicants:

• Résumé / CV: For each job/position listed, you must include a job title, detailed duties, month and year for each start/end date and if full-time or part-time status with the number of hours worked each week.
• Responses to the questionnaire
• PANCE: Must provide proof that you have passed (or are in the process of taking) the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
• Licensure. Must provide a copy of your Physician Assistant license.
• Transcript(s): Must provide a copy of your education transcripts.

• SF-50: All VA/Federal employees should submit a copy of your most recent (2026) SF-50 (that is not an award SF-50) that shows you're a current, permanent VA/Federal employee. You may get your SF-50 directly from your eOPF. VA employees may go to:https://eopf.opm.gov/va/. Other Federal employees must contact your current HR Office for assistance assessing your eOPF/personnel folder.
• To be considered for Veterans preference submit: Copy of your DD-214 that shows your type of discharge (Member 4 copy).
• Disabled Veterans & those claiming 10-Point Preference must submit: SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference) along with the supporting documents required by that form (such as VA disability rating). Please read page 2 of the form for acceptable supporting documents. (Available at: http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf)