Summary
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications is June 29, 2026, and subsequent cut-off dates are bi-weekly. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at bi-weekly intervals until the position is filled.
Duties
The Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic in Columbus, Georgia, is a state-of-the-art outpatient facility providing primary care and a wide range of specialty health services including mental health services, laboratory services, and more for veterans. This position is a full-time Physician Assistant located at the Central Alabama VA Medical Center, assigned to the Surgical Service Line, Orthopedic Clinic. The primary purpose of the position is to provide patient care services for Veteran patients in an outpatient and inpatient setting, however services may also be provided in other areas of the medical center as well (i.e., Community Living Center, CBOCs, etc.). VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE Duties include but are not limited to: Provides effective care to patients characterized by the use of sound judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating patient care for assigned patients. Demonstrates the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. This includes possessing the skill and competency to obtain thorough medical histories, perform comprehensive physical examinations, order appropriate diagnostic studies, interpret and analyze medical data, establish diagnoses, formulate and implement treatment plans, and modify treatment plans when appropriate. Works effectively and makes appropriate requests for assistance from the assigned physician and recognizes complex patient care situations where referral is appropriate. References quality improvement information and organizes patient care needs to assure safe, efficient and cost-effective care. Must be aware and compliant of VA SAIL metrics and VA Performance Measures. Cooperates with and participate in medical duties or functions related to quality of care, peer review and with other performance improvement activities as directed. Possess computer skills to access and input typed data on each patient into the computerized patient record system (CPRS). Outpatient clinics will be held at both East Campus, Tuskegee, Alabama, West Campus, Montgomery, Alabama, and Columbus, Georgia. Establishes professional working relationships with other clinical service providers within the medical center and outlying clinics, provide telephone and e-consult consultations as needed. Attend mandatory trainings, such as, VA Voices, Own the Moment, TMS courses and comply with CME requirements. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Requirements
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 examination. 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.
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/.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.