Clarification from the agency

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. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

This position resides within the Primary Care Service Line at the Dakota Dunes Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) within the Sioux Falls VA Healthcare System and reports directly to the Medical Director of Dakota Dunes CBOC. The Physician Assistant (Primary Care) duties and responsibilities under the supervision of a physician are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service.

Under the direction of a physician, the Physician Assistant will perform the major duties and responsibilities noted below.
The Physician Assistant reviews consults, completes patient history, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and education for new and follow up patient visits. The Physician Assistant documents in SOAP format, respond to Clinical Reminders, and order appropriate lab tests and studies by Provider Order Entry. The Physician Assistant is responsible for interpreting as appropriate and the implementation of results & recommendations from studies ordered. Physician Assistant initiates and adjusts medications as medically necessary, practices & maintains skills in EKG, and recommends appropriate follow up. Physician Assistant completes electronic encounter for each visit and conducts telephone clinics and responds to patient phone calls as appropriate. Physician Assistant respects time commitments, provides customer service appropriate to VA standards, and provides patient care through face-to-face visits and other modalities (group clinics, telephone clinics, secure messaging, etc.).

The Physician Assistant under the direction of the medical doctor, performs oversight of primary care clinical studies to include appropriate scheduling of patients, patient flow, safety, quality management, capacity, backlogs, results reporting, wait times, and consults. The Physician Assistant utilizes PACT and ACA principles, assists in meeting Performance Measures for Primary Care outpatient clinics, and coordinates care for patients as appropriate between specialty medicine, mental health, surgical/surgical sub-specialty, extended care and rehabilitation, community, and other ancillary services. The Physician Assistant maintains awareness of costs incurred for fee basis, contracting, and VA care. The Physician Assistant balances costs and productivity with quality patient care and customer service.

The Physician Assistant participates in Peer Review and works as a team with medical doctor, nursing, technicians, administration, lab, pharmacy, dieticians, and ancillary staff. The Physician Assistant completes CME, TMS, HIPAA, Security training, and other training as mandated by VA. The Physician Assistant serves on committees, teams, workgroups, and chart reviews as requested/approved by administration. The Physician Assistant meets standards of Physician Assistant licensing and certification.

This position is not eligible for tele-work. The Physician Assistant will function as an advocate for Veterans and direct them to indicated points of contact for clinical and follow-up care when needed.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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.

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.
• 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).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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