Physician Assistant-Compensation & Pension

Veterans Health Administration • Parma, OH

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting a Physician Assistant to work in the Primary Care Service, covering Compensation and Pension (C&P), Environmental Health, and Military Environmental Exposure (MEE) assessments. C&P receives its workload from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Exams are expected to be scheduled within 20 days of receipt from VBA, and cases completed and returned for ratings within 30 days of receipt. General-medical examiners complete Disability Benefit Questionnaires (DBQs), Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) exams, and Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exams received through internal consults; CDL exams are not part of the VBA workload. A clinician triages all VBA requests. C&P examiners are cross-trained as Environmental Health examiners and conduct Environmental Health Registry and MEE exams. Increased demand for C&P, Environmental Health, and MEE services is associated with the PACT Act and the resulting increase in Veterans filing disability claims and receiving Toxic Exposure Screenings.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. The full performance level is VN-3; applicants may be selected at VN-1 through VN-3. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• Graduate from a PA training program accredited by ARC-PA or a predecessor organization.
• Hold a master's degree in any discipline, or hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline and have one year of experience as a PA.
• Successfully pass the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
• Possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration where required.
• Meet the experience and education requirements for the selected grade: PA-I requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; PA-II requires two years of successful PA practice, an eligible postgraduate residency, or a doctoral degree in a health-related field; PA-III requires three years of successful PA practice, an eligible postgraduate residency plus one year of PA practice, or a health-related doctoral degree plus one year of PA practice.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including a urinalysis for applicants selected for a testing-designated position, a background/security investigation, and a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet physical qualifications, including the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely; be emotionally stable and cooperative.
• Be prepared to work in surroundings involving acutely and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, possible negative verbal and physical behaviors, and regular exposure to infection and contagious diseases.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of recent experience treating acutely and chronically ill patients in a full-time primary care setting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Compensation and Pension examinations and complete Disability Benefit Questionnaires (DBQs) and Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) exams.
• Complete Commercial Driver’s License exams through internal consults; these are separate from the VBA workload.
• Complete Environmental Health Registry and Military Environmental Exposure (MEE) assessments.
• Schedule C&P exams within 20 days of receipt from VBA and complete and return cases for ratings within 30 days of receipt.
• Provide patient care in the Primary Care Service in accordance with the applicable Physician Assistant practice expectations and assigned duties.

Benefits

• The announcement states that VA provides a comprehensive total rewards package and that federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits are not detailed.

What This Job Offers

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