Department of Veterans Affairs

Physician Assistant - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

Erie, Pennsylvania Full time

Physician Assistant - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Erie, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $91322 - $160608 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Major Duties:

  • VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Performance of initial histories and comprehensive psychiatric/behavioral health exams as well as periodic exams for patients. Medication management of psychiatric patients including acute and chronic cases within defined scope of practice. Ordering diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms, CT scans. Ordering patient care supplies. Initiating requests for consultations. Evaluating patients to determine need for further care. Refer patients to other health care providers. Refer patients for inpatient psychiatric care, as indicated. Consultation --liaison to medical and surgical services and Community Living Center (CLC). Perform and record periodic histories, discharge, transfer, and interim summaries. The collaborating physician must countersign the discharge summary. Provide education and counseling to patient and families in preventative care medical/psychiatric conditions, and use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Crisis intervention and brief psychotherapy. Prescribing and dispensing a drug relevant to behavioral health to include Schedule IV and V. Develop comprehensive care plans with treatment updates as directed by clinic. Ordering ancillary services such as social services, etc. Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients in any care setting , including establishing diagnoses, formulating and implementing care plans and providing follow-up care. Carrying out health promotion and disease prevention activities. Performs other duties as assigned. Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards. Paid Time Off: Paid annual leave and sick leave are accrued based on hours worked. Paid federal holidays dependent on work schedule Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: Available - Ad-Hoc at Management's discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: Mental Health Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Grade and Step determinations of the selected applicant will be determined based on the selected individuals education and experience. Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) - Entry Level Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PA's Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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) - Intermediate Level Experience and Education: 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-PA, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency OR a doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the US Department of Education. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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) - Full Performance Level Experience and Education: 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency AND one year of professional practice as a PA Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 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: See VA Handbook 5019

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/03/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12833230. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-03