Career Center

This full-time (Temporary), Vascular Surgery Physician Assistant position is assigned to the Operative Care Line (OCL) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas, one of the most complex facilities in the VA healthcare system. MEDVAMC is interested in acquiring the employment of an experienced Vascular Surgery Physician Assistant. 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. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following:(1) Master's degree in any discipline; OR(2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA. Certification. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). NOTE: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is no longer required for employment in VHA. Licensure. PAs must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). References: 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 VN-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-I to VN-III. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:(1) Physician Assistant-I (PA-I)(a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.2) Physician Assistant-II (PA-II)(a) Experience and Education .i. Two years of successful practice as a PA .OR ii. 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 iii. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(3) Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) 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.(a) Experience and Education .i. Three years of successful practice as a PA.OR ii. 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 iii. 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.(4) Physician Assistant-IV (PA-IV) Positions may include but are not limited to: Facility or Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Lead PA, Facility PA Education Lead, PA Residency Program Director, or other Clinical and/or Administrative leadership assignments.(a)Experience: Requires five years of experience(5) Physician Assistant-V (PA-V). PA positions at this grade may include but are not limited to: VISN or VHA Central Office (VHACO) leadership or administrative positions that involve a high level of strategic planning of programs that cross integrated service lines and/or disciplines.(a) Experience. PAs at this level require six years of experience that includes assignments that involved directing and evaluating complex patient care or administrative programs, services or operations for a healthcare system or at multiple sites. References: 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 VN-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-I to VN-III Physical Requirements: Light lifting (15 lbs. and under); Light carrying (15 lbs. and under); use of fingers and both hands required; walking (up to 3 hours); standing (up to 3 hours); ability for rapid, mental, and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Physician Assistant (PA) is an agent of the managing physician in providing clinical care to patients in this medical center. As a medical professional, the PA is responsible for reporting his/her patient care activities in the medical record. As a nurse practitioner, he/she is authorized to enter clinical orders in the medical records of patients admitted to the Operative Care Line for care. Duties: Clinical care of vascular patients in patient and out patient settings, including preoperative evaluation and work-up, perioperative, early and late and postoperative care. Clinical documentation, including daily progress notes, H&Ps, procedure consent, and discharge summaries. Work with clinical nurses, social workers, and case managers to streamline patient flow and care. Assisting with selective operative cases, both open and endovascular. All other duties dictated by patient care. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: No\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]