Physician Assistant, Primary Care (Northwest Cboc)
Department of Veterans Affairs
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) & 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 ineligible to apply.
Duties
- This vacancy will be filled with either a Physician Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner.
- This position is located at the Northwest VA Clinic, Surprise, AZ.
- The Physician Assistant will be fully qualified and certified to function in a clinical role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the DVAHCS.
- This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility in his/her area of expertise to assume major clinical, consultative, educational, research, and administrative duties and assignments related to the examination of claimants filing compensation and pension claims 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 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 PA must be a highly effective communicator in order to negotiate with consultants at the VAMC regarding the triaging of patients they refer.
- 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 PA must work closely with his/her colleagues and must serve as a leader in developing processes to improve care and satisfaction. 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of
- Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection.
- This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions.
- Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty.
- What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
- Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.
- Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
- Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions.
- After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date.
- Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service.
- If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.
- VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
- Work Schedule: Varies Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
- Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
- Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
- Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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/.
Required Documents
- To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume Special Note for
- Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume
- This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
- Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
- 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 Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference
- 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
About this role
The Physician Assistant, Primary Care (Northwest CBOC) position and is based in Surprise, Arizona. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.
Day to day, the work involves this vacancy will be filled with either a Physician Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
This role calls for United States citizenship and a valid driver's license. Be prepared for a pre-employment drug screening and physical or medical requirements as part of the hiring process. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Physician Assistant, Primary Care (Northwest CBOC) position in Surprise, Arizona, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
Competitiveness for this Physician Assistant, Primary Care (Northwest CBOC) role depends mainly on how closely applicants match the stated qualifications. As an entry or assistant-level position, it is a realistic starting point, and gaining federal status here can open doors to higher-graded roles later. Based in Surprise, Arizona, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.
