Department of Veterans Affairs

Physician Assistant - Centralized Eligibility and Assessment Team

Salt Lake City, Utah, Seattle, Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, Full time

Physician Assistant - Centralized Eligibility and Assessment Team

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Salt Lake City, Utah, Seattle, Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California, Denver, Colorado, Washington, District of Columbia, Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, New Orleans, Louisiana, Boston, Massachusetts, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kansas City, Missouri, Albuquerque, New Mexico, New York, New York, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Portland, Oregon, Austin, Texas

Salary Range: $85485 - $196732 Per Year

Job Summary: The Centralized Eligibility and Assessment Team (CEAT) is seeking a Physician Assistant for the Caregiver Support Program (CSP) to provide state-of-the-art continuum of services, education and resources to caregivers of Veterans with complex needs. This position is posted as both a Physician Assistant and Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) for one position. Please apply to the appropriate announcement for consideration. Locations: VISN 23 VA Facilities

Major Duties:

  • The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. As a member of the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) CEAT, the incumbent has the responsibility for expert knowledge of eligibility criteria for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), day-to-day operation of the program, and all reporting requirements within the assigned VISN. This position will have dedicated time for clinical practice at the nearest VAMC. Time allotted to clinical duties will be 20% with 80% being dedicated to the VISN CEAT. This allotment has the potential to be adjusted based on the workload demands of the CEAT and is at the discretion of the supervisor. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Performs a wide range of services, collaborating with interprofessional CEAT members to make eligibility determinations, tier level determinations, discharges, and appeals for the PCAFC. Uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; application of regulation, policy, guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements. Uses knowledge of the CSP to matrix Veteran level of functioning with the appropriate CSP services (i.e., Program of General Caregiver Support Services [PGCSS]; PCAFC; and/or Veteran entitlements and benefits) in order to ensure patient safety, recovery, and program stewardship. and organizing delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice, including access to care and discharge planning. Applies advanced clinical knowledge/judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating PCAFC eligibility. Evaluates, systematically, current practice and formulates outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise. Works with interprofessional team members at Regional, VISN and facility levels to ensure PCAFC eligibility determinations PCAFC are delivered objectively with strong, consistent inter-rater reliability with documentation and communication of outcomes in a direct and coordinated manner. Coordinates with other Regional CEATs and VACO CSP to develop and implement strategies for PCAFC eligibility, tier level, discharge, and appeals process and performance improvement. Conducts comprehensive clinical review of patient records to identify the presence of Veteran need for assistance with personal care services and/or the presence of supervision or protection needs on a daily basis. Documents information utilized in clinical eligibility determination and eligibility assessment tools. Assists the VISN with MISSION Act implementation, as it relates to CSP and PCAFC expansion. Receives, reviews, and dispositions PCAFC initial eligibility decisions; reassessments; and appeal decisions for clinical eligibly determinations. Anticipated process: Reviews packets with eligibility documents submitted, by facilities, to VISN within 45 days. Renders reassessment decisions to include ongoing program eligibility, tier changes, and discharges. Adjudicates first-level appeals for alternate VISN CEATs and second-level appeals for one of the other three CEAT Regions. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm. Additional information may be provided during the interview process. Telework: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Selectee will be required to report on-site to their closest VA facility within VISN 23. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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: 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 (KSAs). i. 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: i. 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). i. 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. v. 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 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: i. 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 (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-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. 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 incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position may involve standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning. The work may involve going up and down flights of stairs.

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 05/14/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12951425. 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: 2026-05-14