Primary Care Physician Assistant

A PA is authorized to perform the following duties for patients in life-threatening situations where a physician is not immediately available. PA will initiate these activities but will make every effort to summon a physician as soon as possible.

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in accordance with current CPR standards
• Treatment of acute respiratory failure
• Treatment of life-threatening traumatic injuries.
• If ACLS certified, may initiate Advance Cardiac Life Support in accordance with current ACLS protocols, to include defibrillation/cardioversion.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assuming primary medical responsibility for assigned patients.
• Delivering care in the home
• Assessing care needs of patients and caregivers.
• Identifying a patient's medical problems and defining the medical management.
• Prescribing medications and treatment in accordance with their individual scope of practice or delineation of privilege
• Determining the need for consultation from subspecialties.
• Determining the need for, and facilitating admission to, the VA medical facility and other transitions of care.
• Participating in the development of the individual plan of care at interdisciplinary care meetings for assigned panel of patients.
• Writing orders and prescriptions, as necessary for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law, and within VA policy, using the Louis A. Johnson VAMC approved formulary, excluding controlled substances in Schedules I-II.
• Participating in the development and implementation of HBPC's process for continuous performance improvement.
• Participates in collecting and collating data required for team reports.
• Coordinates referrals and evaluation of veterans at the DC Veteran Affairs Medical Center in addition to outside VA's and private sector referrals of Veterans for evaluation and management.
• Facilitates response/actions to patient inquires for care and treatment provided by the Section.
• Other administrative duties as needed.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30am -4:00pm, 8:00am - 4:30pm and or 7:00 - 5:30pm, however tour of duty may change based on the needs of the facility.

“Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing.   As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.”

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2025, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $23,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $31,000.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service