Physician Assistant

National Institutes of Health • Montgomery County, MD

3d

About The Position

The Physician Assistant works in the Thoracic Surgery Branch (TSB) of the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), performing a wide range of highly complex and novel patient-care and research activities. The role includes evaluating patients, supporting clinical and basic research studies, coordinating study specimen collection, participating in patient-care rounds and conferences, and coordinating with physicians, nurses, other health-care personnel, referring providers, agencies, and patients about research protocols and care.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or proof of U.S. national status by the announcement closing date.
• Graduate from a physician assistant educational program accredited by ARC-PA or its predecessors, at an institution accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Successfully complete the NCCPA examination and maintain certified physician assistant status, including continuing medical education and recertification requirements.
• Hold a current, active, full, and unrestricted Physician Assistant license or registration from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
• For GS-13 qualification, have at least one year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to GS-12 in Federal service, performing patient physical assessments and examinations; recommending treatment and therapies for patients with complex health issues; serving as a specialty consultant to nursing services and health disciplines; and interviewing patients about medical history, medications, and previous or current infections and diseases.
• Submit transcripts or course information; official transcripts are required from selectees before an official offer.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background investigation, qualification verification, onboarding forms, and required documentation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Be able to perform the essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Be available, ready, willing, and able to report for duty under all circumstances as an emergency-essential employee, supporting coverage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• A one- or two-year trial or probationary period may be required, depending on appointment.

Responsibilities

• Perform patient history-taking and physical examinations; record pertinent patient data; assess patients' need for medical attention; review records to determine health status; and prepare patient summaries.
• Provide expert advice and assistance in designing and developing clinical and basic research studies on assigned health issues.
• Assist with patient examinations and observation, including taking case histories, conducting physical examinations, and ordering laboratory studies during hospital rounds and clinic visits.
• Assume responsibility for and coordinate collection of specimens needed for patient studies.
• Participate in daily rounds and present at patient-care conferences with physicians, nursing staff, and other direct-care personnel.
• Keep attending physicians and nurses informed about changes in patients' conditions and medical treatment plans.
• Direct nursing and other health-care personnel in implementing clinical trials.
• Respond to inquiries from referring physicians, hospitals, government agencies, and patients about research-protocol eligibility, and maintain coordination and communication with these groups.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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