Physician Assistant - Primary Care

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your 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.

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.
• This approach to healthcare 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 work 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.
• 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 his own panel of general medicine patients, functioning as their 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, the employee must be a highly effective communicator to negotiate with consultants at the Fargo VA HCS regarding the triaging of patients he refers to.
• Provider must be a designated women’s provider and complete the mandatory VHA training.
• Providers may be required to travel to the CBOCs or provide gap coverage as determined by the supervisor.
• All providers will meet the work relative value unit (RVU) requirements as determined by the national office for primary care providers.
• Typical work hours are Monday to Friday 8:00–4:30 p.m.
• Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of joining.
• Each full‑time provider is required to work a minimum of 80 hours per pay period (every two weeks) unless on leave status.
• Providers will need to act as surrogates for the patients of their colleagues when one or more of their colleagues are on leave.
• Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients – the subsection may be defined either by a disease status (e.g., spinal cord injury patients) or by demographic status (women veterans, OIF/OEF veterans, employees, etc.).
• Work schedule:
  
  Monday–Friday, 8‑hour shifts (8:00–4:30 p.m.).
• EDRP authorized – former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive.
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgram
  
  Support – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Learn more.