Physician Assistant - Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Burlington, IA

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) is seeking a Full-Time, Physician Assistant for the Primary Care Service Line at the VA Clinic Burlington, Iowa. This is an Open Continuous Announcement through January 13, 2027, with the first referral cut-off on October 15, 2026. The PA will practice general medicine with a focus on community-based outpatient clinical care, dedicating approximately 90% of their time to direct patient care and functioning as the primary care provider for their own panel of general medicine patients. This role requires superior assessment skills, broad knowledge, and effective communication, especially given the clinic's location away from the main Medical Center. The position also involves administrative duties, including leadership in developing processes to improve care and satisfaction, and research duties such as enrolling patients in clinical trials. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition upon meeting all requirements. The position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship (non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited).
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment effective May 7, 2025.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
• Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) or are in the process of taking the exam.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of successful practice as a PA (for PA-II grade).
• 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 (for PA-II and PA-III grades).
• A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (for PA-II and PA-III grades).
• Three years of successful practice as a PA (for PA-III grade).
• 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 (for PA-III grade).
• 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 (for PA-III grade).

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an interdisciplinary approach to the direct care of general medicine clinic patients.
• Independently follow their own panel of general medicine patients, functioning as the primary care provider.
• Utilize superior assessment skills and breadth of knowledge to provide care.
• Communicate effectively to negotiate with consultants regarding patient triaging.
• Serve as a leader in developing processes to improve care and satisfaction.
• Enroll patients in active Ambulatory Care research protocols and complete follow-up visits.
• Perform patient history and physical examinations.
• Formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.
• Provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.
• Analyze and solve complex medical problems.
• Function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
• Incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care, including telehealth.
• Work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
• Practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.
• Clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
• Consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients.
• Present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
• Clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
• Implement and initiate clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings.
• Participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Access to a range of benefits designed to make a federal career rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and whether it is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level