Physician Assistant

Summary

This position is for a Physician Assistant at the Hampton VA Medical Center, in Hampton, Virginia, in the Physical Medicine & Rehab (PM&R) Unit.

Preferred experience: Clinical experience pertinent to clinical areas of addiction medicine/addiction psychiatry, opioid and other controlled substance prescription and dependence, mental health, and/or care of complex medical problems.

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Duties

Summary:

This position is located in the Integrative Pain Recovery Service (IPRS) clinic within the Section of pain Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services at the Hampton VA Medical Center. IPRS clinic provides team-based longitudinal recovery-oriented care for veterans with high impact chronic pain using a transdisciplinary biopsychosocial model of care.

Major Duties:

• The PA (Physician Assistant) provides quality patient care to patients managed by the
  
  

PMRS service and IPRS clinic working collaboratively with the IPRS physicians,

pharmacists, and Mental Health professionals and other providers of a broad range of

clinical specialties to evaluate, treat, and manage the chronic pain of referred

patients.

• The PA is responsible for facilitating the fulfillment of the mission, vision, and values
  
  

of the PMRS Service.

• When necessary, the PA prescribes medications, including controlled substances,
  
  

according to approved formulary, and in accordance with Federal and State Law, and

VHA Regulations and Scope of Practice.

• The PA works with the IPRS Physician and other IPRS Team Members to ensure that
  
  

clinically relevant testing has been obtained and appropriate referrals are made to

specialist and special programs, such as, substance abuse treatment programs, mental

health clinic, medical and surgical specialties, tai chi, and battlefield acupuncture.

• Responsible for providing the patient with risks, benefits and alternative treatments
  
  

and securing the informed consent of the patient/family needed before conducting

invasive procedures.

• The incumbent assesses the educational needs of pain patients and develops a plan of
  
  

care.

• The PA provides expert consultation, support, and direction to both inpatient and
  
  

outpatient clinicians as an interdisciplinary team expert, resource, and consultant.

• PA implements changes in patient care based on current concepts and findings from
  
  

research, studies, or guidelines from governmental agencies or professional pain

societies /organizations.

• The PA directly engages patients in the management of their pain; communicates all
  
  

decisions regarding adjustments in opioid analgesics and non-opioid adjuvants to

them; and educates concerning their pain and other medical conditions and

recommended treatments.

• Must have a current and continuous certification by the National Commission on
  
  

Certification of Physician's Assistants (NCCPA).

• The PA contributes to public policy.
• Participates in various hospital committees, department and hospital in-service
  
  

programs and acquire CME's as required.

• Work effectively with patients, families, co-workers, and other health care
  
  

professionals treating them with respect and dignity.

• Complies with information security policy and procedures
• Provide recommendations and work with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care
  
  

to provide optimal functioning, level of pain, and quality of life for Veterans.

• Be accessible and available to personnel in the Rehab team and primary care and
  
  

specialty clinics for consultation on complex cases.

• Research and administrative components may be assigned.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with the performance of the IPRS programs in the areas of consultation to the
  
  

pain providers through regular interdisciplinary team meetings.

• Collaborates with the Coordinators of the Polytrauma/TBI, amputee, SCI and other
  
  

rehabilitation programs, providing coverage for these clinics when there is a need.

• Provides patient care which is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and
  
  

chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Incumbent must

demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age

of the patients served. The PA must demonstrate the knowledge of the changes

associated with aging and possess the ability to provide care based upon age-related

factors as specified on the competence assessment checklist.

• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Work Schedule: 0800 - 1630p, Monday - Friday

Telework: Ad-hoc

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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Requirements

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  
  

Qualifications

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

Physician Assistant Basic Requirements

• Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant :AND:
• Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) :AND:
• 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.
  
  

Preferred Experience: Clinical experience pertinent to clinical areas of addiction medicine/addiction psychiatry, opioid and other controlled substance prescription and dependence, mental health, and/or care of complex medical problems.

Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I)

• Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level
  
  

for PAs.

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge,
  
  

skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level PA.

This practice may include, but is not limited to:

• Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide
  
  

appropriate care.

ii. Ability to perform patient history and physical.

iii. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.

iv. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements

in the profession

Physician Assistant-II (PA-II)

Experience and Education. The PA 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
  
  

ii. 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. OR

iii. 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 (KSAs). PAs at this level are not
  
  

required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to

demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-II:

• Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
  
  

ii. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.

iii. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care

including telehealth medical care.

iv. 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 the PA-III grade are at the full performance level
  
  

and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multidisciplinary 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 healthcare students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full

performance level by:

• Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR
  
  

ii. 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

iii. 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 are not required to
  
  

meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate,

develop, or acquire those 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.

ii. 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).

iii. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management

officials.

iv. 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.

vi. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit

processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.



Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is PA-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA-I to PA-III.



Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary in nature and usually occurs within climate controlled clinical and administrative settings. Use of fingers may be required to operate computers. There may be occasional light lifting/carrying (15pounds or less) requirements to relocate boxed materials from one area to another, equipment and room set - up, and ambulation related to physical inspections of the facilities.

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Education



Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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