Summary

The Physician Assistant (PA) serving as Service Chief of Diagnostics and functions as the lead advanced practice provider overseeing all clinical and administrative operations within the Diagnostics Service. This includes Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) procedures, radiology, interventional imaging, and related diagnostic modalities.

Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• The Service Chief of Diagnostics Service reports to the Deputy Chief of Staff or designee.
• Provides leadership role to the Diagnostics Service including being responsible for operations, safety, quality, affordability, and accessibility within the department.
• Completes all duties as assigned. Provides medical services to Veterans on an outpatient, inpatient as needed at Saginaw VA Medical Center and the eleven Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
• Plans and directs the educational and clinical experience of any trainees assigned to the Diagnostics Service.
• Is readily available to the Diagnostics Service team members for collaboration when medical or other problems arise.
• Assumes a leadership role in the development and implementation of the Diagnostics Service performance improvement plans.
• Advocates for the Diagnostics Service with VHA leadership and the medical community while balancing the needs of the Diagnostics Service with those of Veterans and the greater Healthcare System.
• Collaborating with other Diagnostics Service Directors within HSA, VISN leadership, and VA Central Office, Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation (OPCC&CT) staff on program developmental issues.
• Participates in the use of clinical practice guidelines and meets relevant performance measures as mandated by Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
• Participates in the provision of emergent medical care (including mental health) as necessary to stabilize patient and appropriately hand-off to next level of care.
• Meets with the Deputy Chief of Staff as necessary to ensure that the goals and objectives of the VAMC are met.
• Communicates with other healthcare providers, as necessary, to ensure the timely access and continuity of care to Veterans.
• Reports safety and quality of care issues promptly through established mechanisms.
• Participates in the education/training of personnel as requested.
• Completes required VA education and annual training in a timely fashion.
• Maintains CME credits as required by state law.
• Supervises medical residents and acts as liaison with residency and university 3 training programs at VAMC as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM OR 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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

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.

Grade Determinations:

VN IV: PAs at the PA-IV grade level may serve as clinical leader or administrative leader. Clinical PA Leaders may be assigned to positions/studies where limited guidance exists as physician oversight is not required. Administrative PA Leaders are involved with strategic planning and administrative/managerial responsibilities for integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. A PA clinical leader/administrative leader may monitor or evaluate services or programs with interaction of senior administration.

• Experience. PA clinical leaders/administrative leaders require five years of experience which included leadership assignments that involved formulating program objectives and priorities, implementing plans and practices, and 9 interpreting regulatory and organizational guidance to develop and implement policies and/or procedures.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. PAs at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-IV:
  
  • Ability to assess information and make recommendations that may significantly affect the content, interpretation, or development of programs concerning critical matters or key issues within the health care system.
  • Ability to schedule and supervise staff, students, or ancillary personnel, to include conducting performance evaluations.
  • Skill in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling an integrated program.
  • Skill in design, management of budget, and cost benefit analysis to ensure optimal stewardship of resources.
  • Ability to analyze complex medical care, organizational processes and/or systems, and develop and implement solutions that improve outcomes at the program or service level.
  • Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies or procedures to justify program goals and motivate assigned personnel.

Preferred Experience: If not ACLS certified upon selection, will need to become ACLS certified within 90 days of hiring (and maintain ACLS certification)

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-IV.

Physical Requirements: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients.

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/.

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.

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.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Smoke-free Facility: All Department of Veterans Affairs facilities are smoke-free. Patients, visitors, and employees are not allowed to smoke in or near any facilities or on the grounds

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.