Physician Assistant - Surgical Care

Summary

The Physician Assistant provides clinic-based care exclusively within the Pre-Operative & Pre-Procedure Clinic (COTC). The PA will function with Full Autonomy as defined by VHA Directive 1063, appropriate to a non-procedural, non-operative assignment. As such, the PA will be in periodic contact with a collaborating physician, who is available in person, by telephone, or through other suitable means (e.g., telehealth) for consultation regarding patient care activities.

Duties

The PA's responsibilities in this assignment are limited to pre-operative/pre-procedure evaluation, coordination, recommendations, and documentation. The PA is not assigned procedural duties and does not participate in operating room activities or bedside procedures as part of the Pre-Operative & Pre-Procedure Clinic (COTC) role. The PA is authorized to write medical orders within this Scope of Practice and approved privileging, including verbal orders in emergencies. a. Utilize CPRS for documentation of all clinic activities and communications. b. Maintain a working schedule of COTC appointments; track surgical/procedural candidates and clearance status; ensure timely completion of pre-op requirements. c. Perform pre-operative/pre-procedural history and physical, document in CPRS, and communicate pertinent findings to the collaborating physician and surgical/procedural team. d. Coordinate pre-operative/pre-procedure testing and consults (e.g., anesthesia, cardiology) and ensure results are reviewed and acted upon. e. Assist in day-to-day management of patients preparing for procedures, including order entry for diagnostics, medications, and pre-procedure preparations as indicated. f. Make follow-up calls or encounters to review readiness, update the record, and notify the physician responsible for significant changes in patient condition. g. Order appropriate pre-operative antibiotics according to written protocol. h. Provide patient and family education regarding the planned procedure, preparation requirements, and post-procedure expectations. i. Obtain and document informed consent for procedures for which the PA has sufficient knowledge of the procedure, its indications, risk and benefit profiles, complications, and alternative treatments, and when authorized by the PA's Scope of Practice. NOTE: The PA need not participate in the particular procedure the patient is scheduled to undergo but must be authorized to perform, participate in, or assist the procedure by the Scope of Practice and must have sufficient knowledge and training to effectively counsel the patient. j. Identify deviations from established protocols, care standards, and clinic pathways and actively intervene to avoid/correct variances. k. Participate in teaching of residents and health professions trainees regarding pre-operative/pre-procedural protocols specific to COTC. l. Collaborate with COTC RN staff, anesthesia providers, clearing physicians, and specialty services to ensure comprehensive clearance and readiness. The PA may also be assigned additional duties which include but are not limited to: (a) administrative duties such as quality assurance, peer review, research, and serving on various committees as directed by the section chief or administration; (b) education of health profession trainees and students; (c) preventive medicine programs and related duties; (d) emergency preparedness; and (e) other non-clinical tasks as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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 10/23/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13086865. 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) Other (1) PCS Orders 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.