SummaryWe are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and experienced Physician Assistant to join our healthcare team. This role offers the chance to provide high-quality, patient-centered care, with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and comprehensive treatment. Begin your journey with purpose and receive a recruitment/relocation sign-on bonus as you join our team.
A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).DutiesHelp
Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:
Physician Assistant Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)
Primary duties and responsibilities for all Physician Assistants include, but are not limited to:- Provides comprehensive therapeutic and preventative health services to individual patients, family members and patient groups in an outpatient setting.
- Identifies and manages specific illnesses. Identifies and manages preventive aspects of these same illnesses.
- Familiarizes self with the social, political, geographic, demographic, economic and epidemiological characteristics of the assigned communities. Available to orient staff, tribal members, health board and tribal leaders on relevant health care issues.
- Serves in a teaching capacity in the development of other health care workers and precepting students.
REQUIREMENTS
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.
*This position is being announced concurrently under the Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) procedures. Please review vacancy announcement number IHS-26-GP-[redacted]-DE; for eligibility requirements. NOTE: Applicants must apply separately for each announcement in order to be considered.RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employmentSelectee may be subject to a probationary 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
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.
On-call hours or standby duty may be required.
You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
QualificationsTo 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.
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 (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 at the time the degree was obtained.
- Successful completion of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) examination; must maintain status as a certified physician assistant, including completion of all requirements for Continuing Medical Education (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.
In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks:
GS-09: One (1) year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector
and graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program.
- Examples of work experience includes: Ability to perform patient history and physical; Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient; and ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.
OR- 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
GS-11: One (1) year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector
and completion of an accredited physician assistant educational program as described above.
- Examples of work experience includes: Assessing patient health by interviewing patients and performing physical examinations; determining abnormal conditions by administering or ordering diagnostic tests, i.e., x-rays, electrocardiograms and laboratory tests; and documenting patient care services by charting in patient and department record.
OR- 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.
GS-12: one (1) year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector
and completion of an accredited physician assistant educational program is required.
- Examples of work experience includes: providing comprehensive preventive and therapeutic healthcare services to all age groups that includes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of various illnesses; formulating and implementing treatment plans; prescribing medications; ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests; educating and counseling patients; and collaborating with physicians concerning patient care and management.
Time In GradeFederal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).
You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cut-off day of rating to be eligible for consideration.EducationThis position has an education requirement. If you are substituting education for experience; 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/.
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 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/.
Additional informationReasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/[redacted]5-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
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 ineligible for the Bargaining Unit.
Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required.
This position has promotion potential to the GS-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
