This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more 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. Preferred Experience: Training and experience to provide various evidence-based psychotherapy treatments Experience in coordinating care with an interdisciplinary treatment team Board certified/eligible in Psychiatry Performs clinical work describing human behavior, determining the reasons for the behavior and predicting and/or modifying the behavior. Performs clinical work describing human behavior, determining the reasons for that behavior and predicting and/or modifying the behavior. Performs psychiatric evaluations, and treatment of patients with problems of personality, emotional adjustment, or mental illness. Prescribes medications as deemed necessary for the treatment of mental illnesses. Promotes, supervises, and/or performs psychotherapy with patients, either through individual sessions or through group therapy sessions. Uses therapeutic techniques. Based on data gathered through assessments, plans an appropriate clinical treatment for individual patients. Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level PA. This practice may include, but is not limited to: i. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. ii. Ability to perform patient history and physical. iii. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. iv. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) (a) Experience and Education. The PA at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences as indicated in the KSAs listed below. Individuals will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. Individuals demonstrate the KSAs of PA-II intermediate level by: 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. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). PAs at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-II: i. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems ii. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions iii. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. iv. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. v. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively. Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) (a) Experience and Education. PAs at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multidisciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspects of patient care across the health care system. They utilize advanced clinical knowledge and judgment in decision-making and evaluating outcomes. They function as experts in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities, may serve as mentors for transitioning PAs, and may provide training for health care students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by: 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. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. PAs at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-III: i. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. ii. Skill to consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients through facility Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE). iii. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. iv. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. v. Ability to implement and initiate clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings to enhance patient delivery care for improved patient outcomes.vi. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 50 pounds & over. Heavy carrying, 50 pounds & over Straight pulling (1-2 hours), Pushing (1-2 hours), Walking (2-4 hours), Standing (2-6 hours) Use of fingers, Both hands required, Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously Near Vision correctable, Far Vision correctable, Depth perception, Hearing (aide permitted) Work closely with others, as well as, protracted or irregular hours of work, Use stretchers to transfer patients and use patient lifts, if applicable ["The Physician Assistant in Primary Care Mental Health is part of a primary care team and functions in a consultative as well as direct treatment role. Duties include, but are not limited to: Provide ongoing support to PACT teams. While the PCPs often provide routine medication initiation and management, in many instances, it may be preferable for the Nurse Practitioners/Advanced Practice Nurse to initiate medication and either treat to target or support PCP continuation of medication, either directly or by supervision of care management. Participate in same day access and other co-located collaborative duties with other staff as assigned by the service. Ensure ongoing availability for urgent or emergent mental health situations via same day service duties. Perform direct in-person or virtual assessments and treatment, when indicated. Provide diagnostic clarification. Serve as a liaison between PACT providers and other mental health providers working with PACT Veterans who are receiving ongoing services in general and subspecialty MH clinics. Appropriately communicate with primary care staff and attends primary care clinic meetings. Attend PACT huddles for informal consultation and education of the team. Bear overall responsibility for the MH treatment of the Veteran. Collaborate with the client/family to establish physical, mental, cultural and environmental factors that facilitate or impede realistic goals and activities. Determine potential needs for therapeutic changes, diagnostic workups or subspecialty consultation. Order and/or interpret appropriate laboratory tests, x-rays, and other relevant diagnostic studies and procedures. Provide follow-up for evaluation of outcomes of x-rays, laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures. Detect and evaluate any significant change in Veterans' condition, treating as indicated with current evidence based practice. Review medications for clinical need, simplification and possible drug-drug interactions and adjust as indicated. Prescribe, administer and review/evaluate Veteran's response to pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment regimens. Evaluate Veterans and manage mental health diagnoses according to the usual scope of care to include attention to maintenance of stable conditions, preventive health care and screening. Formulate diagnostic plans and therapeutic regimen. Assist Veterans to regain or improve their abilities to cope with states of health and illness. Provide education and counseling of the Veteran and the Veteran's family in preventive care, medical conditions and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday\nTelework: Hybrid Telework may be available for highly-qualified candidates\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact demetrius.roberts@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]