PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (ORTHOPEDIC)

Summary

The PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Surgery Service. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility in his/her area of expertise to assume major clinical, consultative, educational, research, and administrative duties and assignments related to this care.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Some core duties include: Administrative/Clinical Duties: Evaluate and treat Veterans with Orthopedic conditions and initiate consultation and follow up Coordinating/assisting Fee Based Providers with VA administrative requirements Assisting Fee Bases Providers in clinic Assisting/instructing residents with entering orders, consults, scheduling surgery, Oracle navigation and VA administrative needs Answering phone calls and phone messages re: Veteran care Calling Veterans when necessary Respond to a multitude of emails re: clinical/administrative issues Coordinating and scheduling out-patient studies Coordination of care/communication with NVCC for PT/OT/Home health care (review and sign plans of care, complete face-to-face documentation, entering NVCC data, faxing Rx for treatment) Coordinating operative schedule (review OR cases to be sure IMPACT completed, MRSA screens done, orders and consent in Oracle, order and coordinate implants and Vendor coverage for case) Enter X-ray orders for upcoming clinics Coordinate clinic schedules and patient scheduling Triage and review new patient consult requests and ensure appropriate scheduling (review Oracle/vista web notes, review Vista Imaging and/or Philiips iSite imaging) Periodic Orthopedic resident orientation Complete TMS trainings Resolve clinic/OR PA coverage issues when necessary Periodic review and revision of resident orientation materials and PCP agreement Manage Orthopedic clinic inventory Implements processes for the Orthopedic outpatient clinic development of efficiency, outcomes, and the overall general function of this clinic. Facilitates response/action to patient inquiries to care and treatment by the Orthopedic staff for the Chief of Orthopedics. Assist the Orthopedic department in requesting and obtaining equipment and supplies that are needed for the clinic and well as operating room through the Orthopedics Administrative Officer. Functions as the liaison between other subspecialties and departments within the VAMC as it relates to care and treatment of Orthopedic issues. Other administrative or clinical duties as assigned by the Chief of Orthopedics, attendings, Senior AO or Chief of Surgery. Coordinate clinic schedules and patient scheduling Triage and review new patient consult requests and ensure appropriate scheduling (review Oracle/vista web notes, review Vista Imaging and/or Philiips iSite imaging) Periodic Orthopedic resident orientation Complete TMS trainings Resolve clinic/OR PA coverage issues when necessary Periodic review and revision of resident orientation materials and PCP agreement Manage Orthopedic clinic inventory Clinical Primary focus is the coordination of the Orthopedic Department in its care and treatment of outpatients and inpatients assigned to the Orthopedic department. Evaluates inpatients/outpatients and writes up consults, assessments, and plans in the patient's chart. Writes orders for patient care, evaluation and treatment plans in accordance with the individuals Scope of Practice and under the authority of the Chief of Orthopedics or their designee. Applies and remove casts, splints, dressings, braces and various other devices used in the treatment of orthopedic patients. Performs general patient counseling, education and pre- and post-operative patient planning. Performs pre-surgical history and physical exams, admission orders, discharge summaries and operative procedures that they are involved with. Assist with surgical procedures in the operating room under the supervision of surgical staff. Prescribe medications as allowed by the Ann Arbor VAMC and in c/w the VHA PA prescribing directive. Order and interpret medical tests and x-rays to include specialty procedures (MRI's, CAT, Myelograms, Nuclear Medicine studies etc.) Liaison with associated hospital services for continuity of care such as Physical Medicine and Rehab, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Radiology, and Primary Care Injection Clinic Duties: Obtain imed consent Perform time-out Prepare injection site and perform joint injection Patient education pre and post injection Schedule for follow up Document procedure and encounter in Oracle OR Coverage Duties: Perform preop H&Ps and document in Oracle Obtain imed consents in Oracle Ensure Code status note in Oracle Answer patient questions re: surgery Ensure x-rays accessed via Phillips iSite Assist with patient positioning and prep First assist on surgical procedure Independent wound closure/dressing Assist with patient transfer off surgical table (remove traction, etc..) and transport to PACU Input post-operative orders and OR procedure note into Oracle Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, 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. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/14/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13082020. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) Other (2) Other (3) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.