Physician Assistant (Mental Health)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

The psychiatry physician assistant (PA) is responsible for the care and administrative needs of mental health patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The PA also functions as a coordinator between the attending physician and the other team members to include nurses and PMH NPs, psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, LMFTs, LPCs, addiction therapists and other clinic personnel. The PA will also be directly responsible to the Section Chief for all clinical and administrative duties.

The Psychiatry PA will be responsible for the primary medical needs of inpatients and outpatients in the mental health clinics and wards. Duties will include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of current psychiatric and medical problems, administrative assistance, quality assurance and educational support as detailed below. Additional duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct initial psychiatric evaluations, including initial assessment interviews, history and physical exams; forming differential diagnoses; lab, imaging, medication and psychotherapy consultation orders, aftercare plans and follow up visits.
• Perform examinations and screening scales (such as AIMS, MoCA, HAMD) and similar measurement-based care specific to the ongoing care of psychiatric patients.
• Drawing blood specimens for testing, and obtaining other body fluid samples requiring comparably low levels of invasiveness.
• Prescribing medications according to VHA Directive 1063(2) Appendix A section C and dispensing medications (including injections).

Work Schedule: Full-Time, 8:00a-4:30p. Work schedule is based on the needs of the hiring manager and may be subject to change.
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Ad hoc telework is authorized.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Telework: Ad hoc telework is authorized at the hiring manager's discretion.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact will be provided upon selection of the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, sitting, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc. Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their day-to-day activities. There is ongoing exposure to individuals having psychiatric and physical illness and disabilities. These include violent or aggressive behavior and chronic psychiatric and medical problems. Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Hearing (aid permitted).

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/.