Summary

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) is seeking a Full-Time - Physician Assistant to join the Primary Care Service Line at the VA Clinic Sterling - Illinois. Note: This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT through December 2 - 2026. The first referral cut-off is September 28 - 2026 - at 11:59 p.m. EST - followed by weekly cut offs. Applications received after each cut-off will be reviewed as needed until the position is filled.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network 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
• FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: CLINICAL: The PA practices general medicine with a focus on community-based outpatient clinical care
• Approximately 90% of the PA's time is dedicated to developing and maintaining an interdisciplinary approach to the direct care of general medicine clinic patients
• The PA independently follows their own panel of general medicine patients - functioning as the primary care provider
• This primary care/gatekeeper role is incumbent with a high degree of responsibility and independence
• The location of the CBOC away from the Medical Center means that the PA's assessment skills and breadth of knowledge must be superior
• In addition - he/she must be a highly effective communicator in order to negotiate with consultants at the VAMC regarding the triaging of patients he/she refers
• These skills are required at a level that exceeds that of VAMC-based physician assistants
• ADMINISTRATIVE: Because of the highly integrative approach used in community based outpatient clinics
• The incumbent must work closely with his/her colleagues and must serve as a leader in developing processes to improve care and satisfaction
• RESEARCH: Enrolls patients in active Ambulatory Care research protocols and completes follow-up visits with required studies
• Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
• Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program
• Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer
• The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment
• Program approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) - and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
• Alternative work hours - if desired - should be agreed upon at the time of hire
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.