Physician Assistant - Primary Care

Physician Assistant - Primary Care

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $98059 - $166143 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:

• This position is authorized to provide the right candidate with the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) to pay up to $200,000 in qualifying loans! Patient Care Reviews labs and diagnostics in a timely fashion and communicates lab/imaging/test results to Veteran via telephone, face-to-face, secure messaging, or correspondence letter as per VHA Directive (either within 14 days or 7 days as appropriate). Depending on findings, follow up may be assigned to other team members as appropriate based on the sensitivity of the result. In addition to managing an assigned patient panel, the provider will also serve as a GAP provider, providing coverage to colleagues during absences Focuses on the care of medically complex, higher level management patients on the panel and patient experiencing acute exacerbations of their chronic conditions Develops, evaluates, and manages the medical treatment plan for all Veterans on the panel throughout all stages of life including prevention and wellness, acute illness, chronic illness, and end-of-life care Utilizes secure messaging to directly interact with Veterans to share information, such as lab, imaging, and test results and communicate treatment plans Utilizes Health Coaching and Motivational Interviewing to partner with patients and assist with behavior change and guidance toward his or her goals Completes clinical reminders for positive PTSD, depression, alcohol and other clinical reminders as needed or assigned to providers Participates in direct patient-centered care to include scheduled visits and unscheduled/acute visits Promotes same day access by providing multiple modalities of care including non-face-to-face care Performs a comprehensive history and physical at least once a year for each patient on the panel Orders appropriate diagnostic tests to evaluate and manage patients, utilizing VA/DOD practice guidelines Provides appropriate health screening and preventive care according to NCP guidelines Consults with specialty services when indicated and adheres to service line agreements Provides patient education to assist Veteran with disease management and improve self-management skills Completes final medication reconciliation with a copy provided to patient at every encounter Team Work Collaborates with the team to reach PACT goals related to access, continuity, and coordinated care measures and utilizes PACT almanac data to guide improvement efforts Plan today's work to be done today by being proactive in pre-planning for visits with team members and by being responsive to the needs of Veterans and team members in their efforts to assist Veterans Documents clearly and concisely in CPRS to communicate the plan of care with the team, including the Veteran as per VA Medical Center Policy Participates in Inter disciplinary PACT team meetings bi-weekly to include extended PACT team members Monitor panel clinical performance measures and guide the team in setting goals for improvement utilizing PACT tools Diabetes Registry - works with team to manage all diabetics on the panel placing high priority as per EPRP and EQM metrics Primary Care Almanac (at least monthly PACT compass for metrics including panel management, access, continuity, and coordination of care Ensure all preventive screenings completed for the panel to include immunizations, colorectal screen, breast screen and cervical screen for assigned panel of patients in timely manner or as appropriate Opioid Registry- uses database in managing chronic pain patients on opioids by getting I-Med consent, urine drug screen, and providing naloxone for high risk Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8am to 430pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Learn more

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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Certification: Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) Licensure: PA's must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. PA's 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: PAs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Education: 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. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following: Master's degree in any discipline; OR Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA. TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED 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 by the appropriate Physician Assistant Professional Standards Board and will be based on the selected individuals education and experience. 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 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: 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 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 lbs; light lifting, under 15 lbs; moderate carrying, 15-44 lbs; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; both hands required; walking 6-8 hours; standing 6-8 hours; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted) min 15/20 one ear and mental and emotional stability required.

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 01/20/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12858440. 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: 2026-01-20