Physician Assistant - Urology

About the role

Position is open until filled, applications will be referred as they are received. Position may be filled before the closing date. The Urology Physician Assistant provides clinical and surgical care for patients on the Urology service.

The Urology Physician Assistant will provide patient care consistent with the scope of practice and with clinical oversight, consultation, and input by the designated collaborating physician while working in the clinic, cystoscopy suite, and operating room.

What you will do

• Obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations.
• Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients in any care setting, including establishing diagnoses, formulating and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care.
• Evaluating outpatients to determine the need for further health care.
• Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging {MRI}, Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, etc. Carrying out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities.
• Ordering or obtaining laboratory specimens.
• Ordering ancillary services, such as, pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc. Ordering VA specialty service consults and initiating requests for non-VA medical care and consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures.
• Ordering patient care supplies.
• Writing orders for or prescribing medications for care of veterans on the Urology service.
• Other patient record entries by PAs, including medical histories, physical examinations, progress notes, service consults, compensation and Pension evaluations, and patient orders do not require physician co-signature unless specifically required by Federal law, VA policy, or the standards of applicable external accrediting bodies.
• Obtaining and documenting informed consent for treatments and procedures for which the PA is responsible either as the provider providing treatment under Full Autonomy or Limited Autonomy, or participating as an integral member of the treatment team performing the procedure such as assisting the primary surgeon.
• The PA need not participate in the particular procedure the patient is scheduled to undergo as long as he is authorized to perform, participate in, or assist during the procedure and have sufficient knowledge and training in the treatment or procedure, its indications, risk and benefits, complications, and alternative treatments, to effectively counsel the patient.
• Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs.
• Preliminary EKG interpretation.
• Preliminary imaging interpretation.
• Ordering appropriate pre-procedure & pre-operative antibiotics (IM, IV, or PO) and/or other medications.
• Change dressings on surgical wounds.
• Obtain specimens in surgery or clinic for patient care diagnostic or treatment purposes.
• Perform other diagnostic or treatment procedures as qualified.
• Ordering administration of blood products.
• GU SURGERY EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibilities performed with full autonomy in the clinic and cystoscopy suite include: Obtains informed consents for common GU surgeries and procedures about which the PA is familiar with including the indications and associated risks and benefits.
• Triages symptoms and manages outpatients on the Urology service.
• Assists other health care professionals assigned to the Urology section with the coordination of medical care.
• Acts as a care coordinator for patients in the Urology section.
• Monitors appointment management software to ensure accuracy in scheduling practices.
• Reviews all outpatient Urology clinic profiles for accuracy.
• Provides peri- and post-operative teaching.
• Performs pre-operative history/physical examinations.
• Triages, assigns, and evaluates new patients referred to the Urology service.
• Insertion of urethral catheters.
• Urethral catheter placement over a wire.
• Removal or exchange of suprapubic tubes/catheters. lntracavernosal injections and teaching.
• Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation.
• Cryoablation of genital lesions with liquid nitrogen.
• Removal of drains, ureteral stents, and nephrostomy tubes.
• Administer oral medications.
• Injection IV medications, start intravenous infusions of any variety, as long as hospital protocols regarding preparation of skin sites, checking of blood products, and attention to sterile techniques are followed.
• Performing procedures: Cystoscopy Cystoscopy with ureteral stent removal Cystoscopy with basketing of stones/ foreign body Transrectal ultrasound Urodynamic studies Responsibilities performed with limited autonomy include: Write discharge orders for outpatients (day surgeries).
• Removes intravenous and central lines.
• Insert intravenous lines.
• Cystoscopy with biopsy and fulguration.
• Responsibilities performed with supervised autonomy include: Prostate needle biopsy under transrectal ultrasound guidance.
• Placement of prostate fiducial markers under transrectal ultrasound guidance for planned radiation therapy.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• Telework: Not 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 (***).
• 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.

Education

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)

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.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.
• When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. 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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.