Physician Assistant (Surgery)

Physician Assistant (Surgery)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Durham, North Carolina

Salary Range: $111954 - $176902 Per Year

Job Summary: The incumbent works effectively with other health care providers and interdisciplinary health care teams to deliver cost-effective, high-quality health care for both inpatients and outpatients. The PA is responsible and accountable for providing, and assuring provision of, direct patient-centered care to individuals and accurately assesses patients, effectively intervenes during critical, emergency, or crises. PA works with the General Surgery team with a primary focus on the Breast team.

Major Duties:

• In addition to compliance with national and local regulatory, policy, and accreditation requirements governing this health care system, this position encompasses the following responsibilities, in partnership with his/her Administrative Officer and the support of the section chiefs, and supervisors. The incumbent requires appropriate time mapping and resources to ensure they are empowered to meet expected proficiencies in administration, clinical practice, education, and research. SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES BUT NOT LIMITED TO: Primary overall focus of practice is on the clinical management of health care to veterans assigned to the General Surgery services. Facilitates care of General Surgery patients as well as their entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of surgical/medical specialists and associated staff. Authorized to practice with defined levels of autonomy and exercise independent medical decision making within his/her Scope of Practice. Performing or ensuring initial histories and physical examinations on inpatients and outpatients. All admitting inpatient history and physical exams will be reviewed and countersigned by a physician. Record medical documentation including; but not limited to, medical histories, physical examinations, progress notes and service consults. Enter CODE status orders, life-sustaining treatment orders, and notes, consistent with VHA guidelines and regulations. Authorized to write medical orders on patients assigned to the General Surgery Service in any patient setting. Provides ongoing outpatient care for assigned patients. Screening outpatients to determine need for further care. Prescribing medications, refills, and supplies in the inpatient/outpatient settings within defined scope of practice. Orders diagnostic studies (such as laboratory tests, radiographic or imaging studies, electrocardiograms, etc.) and provide preliminary results. Order ancillary services such as Pharmacy, Social Services, Prosthetics, Respiratory care, Rehab services, etc. Perform minor procedures within their realm of expertise and under the direction of the supervising physician and in accordance with the individuals scope of practice. Carry out health promotion and disease prevention activities Carry out health promotion and disease prevention activities Initiates and expedites requests for consultations and scheduling special tests and studies. Make interim summaries of the patient's medical record. Initiates requests for consultation services with other VA and Non-VA services. Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Surgery or Administrative Officer. Supervisory Controls: The PA is directly accountable to the collaborating and alternative collaborating physician. The PA is responsible for informing the collaborating and alternative collaborating physician of major problems or decisions in the PAs areas. Much of the PAs responsibilities are self-initiated, such as identifying and reporting problems, and collaborating with supervising physicians to improve efficiency of their section. CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUIREMENTS:Incumbent meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner; Provide customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm or TBD Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: 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:1. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.2. Ability to perform patient history and physical.3. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.4. 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, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency. OR 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:1. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.2. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.3. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.4. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.5. 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, 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 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:1. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.2. 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).3. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.4. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.5. 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.6. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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 03/25/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12901700. 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: 2026-03-25