Summary This position is a Physician Assistant at an ambulatory health care center as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare specialists. This position reports to the Supervisory Physician (Clinical Director) or designee. This position is being announced concurrently under the Excepted Service/Merit Promotion procedures. Please review vacancy announcement number IHS-25-WR-12741951-ESEP/MP. NOTE: Applicants must apply separately for each announcement in order to be considered. Responsibilities At the full performance level, works independently and/or in collaboration with other health care professionals in providing comprehensive diagnostic & therapeutic medical care to patients of all ages & family members in an ambulatory health center, including the duties listed below: Perform medical exam examinations, assessments, differential diagnose and develop treatment plans for patients of all ages, within established procedural guidelines and scope of practice. Provides comprehensive care including acute, chronic and preventive service to patients. These services also include guidance in counseling and education on nutrition, child growth and development, women's health and family planning. Provides counseling, guidance, and health education to patients, families and groups. Participates in quality improvement and assurance/risk management training and activities. Attends and participates in meetings and functions as assigned. Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. IHS Selectees that will work in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to Measles and Rubella, COVID-19, and seasonal influenza immunizations. Vaccine exemption requests may be available according to the National and/or Service Unit guidance. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: This position is covered by the Individual Occupational Requirements listed below. NOTE: Employees currently assigned to positions in this occupational series as of September 2017 will be considered to have met the basic requirements for the position occupied. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): All applicants must meet the following basic requirements for all grade levels: Graduation from a physician assistant educational program, accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant(external link) (ARC-PA) or its predecessors, at a college, university, or educational institution that is accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. Successful completion of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants(external link) (NCCPA) examination; must maintain status as a certified physician assistant, including completion of all requirements for Continuing Medical Education(external link) (CME) and re-certification. LICENSURE For all grade levels and positions, applicants must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physician Assistant from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. GS-09 Grade Level: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: Completion of Master of Physician Assistant Studies; OR Completion of a master's degree in a related health care or health related science and completion of an accredited physician assistant educational program. Examples of related master's degree programs include, but are not limited to, Master of Medical Sciences, Master of Public Health, Master of Biomedical Sciences, or other related major fields of study; OR A minimum of one full year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to the GS-7 grade level and graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program as described above. Examples of work experience include Assess patient health by interviewing patients, taking health histories, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging, prescribing appropriate medications, educating patients and facilitating appropriate follow-up, working closely with medical staff and physicians in the management of patients. GS-11 Grade Level: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: Completion of Doctorate of Physician Assistant Studies, Doctorate of Science Physician Assistant (DScPA) or equivalent; OR Completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a related health field and completion of an accredited physician assistant educational program. Examples of related doctoral degree programs include, but are not limited to, public health; allied health field; public health education; or other related health science programs; OR A minimum of one full year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to the GS-9 grade level and completion of an accredited physician assistant educational program as described above. Examples of work experience include: Assess patient health by interview patients, perform physical examination, obtain, update and study medical histories; determine abnormal conditions by administer or ordering diagnostic tests; interpret test results; document patient care services by charting in patient and department record; perform therapeutic procedures by administering injections and immunizations; suture, manage wounds and infections; provide continuity of care by developing and implementing patient management plans; prescribe medications. GS-12 Grade Level: A minimum of one full year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to the next lower grade level and completion of an accredited physician assistant educational program is required. Examples of work experience include: Outpatient Clinic experience with ability to interview, examine, diagnose, treat or direct course of treatment for wide range of routine situations and/or patients (pediatrics to geriatrics), prescribe and monitor patients. Able to utilize Electronic Health Records. Experience in communicating easily with colleagues and staff both verbally and written. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Education This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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/. Additional Information Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit at the Yakima Service Unit (Toppenish) only. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required. This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/. The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit: For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/ For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps This position has promotion potential to the GS-12 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.