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 announcement will remain open until the closing date of July 16th - 2026 - or when the applicant count is reached - whichever is earlier
• The applicant count is the point at which the first 50 applications are received
• All applications submitted that day up until 11:29 p.m
• eastern standard time on the date the applicant count is reached will be accepted and considered
• The position is located in Branch Health Clinic (BHC) 1007 - USS TRANQUILLITY - within the Fleet Medicine Directorate (DFM) located at the Captain James A
• Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) - North Chicago - IL
• The FHCC is larger than just a single facility - but rather a system of facilities throughout Northeastern Illinois which provide medical and dental services to U.S. Military Veterans - Recruits - Active Duty and eligible beneficiaries
• The incumbent will serves as a Physician Assistant (PA) within a Primary Care setting
• Major Duties: Clinical Responsibilities Performs initial and ongoing medical - physical - and psychosocial assessments
• Conducts and dictates histories and physicals
• Develops treatment plans and records progress notes
• Triages patients - establishes working diagnoses - and administers treatment
• Provides case management and follow-up evaluations
• Generates referrals to other healthcare professionals and community agencies following established protocols
• Practices across multiple disciplines including internal medicine - family practice - surgery - ophthalmology - otolaryngology - dermatology - orthopedics - psychiatry - and gynecology
• Determines patient fitness for military or overseas service based on clinical findings and directives
• Recommends appropriate patient disposition
• Documents services provided in accordance with established procedures - including narrative summaries - medical boards - fitness-for-duty evaluations - competency determinations - and special evaluations for military members
• Supervision & Collaboration Works under the immediate supervision of an assigned preceptor
• Ultimately supervised by the Senior Medical Officer or Officer in Charge of the Branch Health Clinic
• Collaborates and consults with specialists and administrators within the department - clinic - or VA medical facility
• Occasionally works at other clinics within DFM to support workload or staffing changes
• Provides input on Command and Congressional inquiries and patient Quality Assurance concerns
• Teaching & Precepting Serves as a professional preceptor for Hospital Corpsmen - including sick call screeners and Independent Duty Corpsmen
• Assists in precepting Physician Assistant students
• May be asked to provide medical lectures within the clinic or FHCC
• Age-Specific & Culturally Sensitive Care Provides care appropriate to the cognitive - emotional - and developmental level of each patient
• Assesses and interprets age-related patient data to determine individualized needs
• Considers age-related differences across VA and DoD populations within the FHCC
• Demonstrates understanding of aging processes and adapts care accordingly
• Maintains sensitivity to cultural and developmental factors
• Quality Assurance - Risk Management & Administrative Duties Assists in Quality Assurance and Risk Management activities
• Participates in peer review functions
• Attends medical staff and assigned committee meetings regularly
• Other assigned duties as required
• Patient Education Educates patients on disease processes - self-management - medications - side effects - lifestyle recommendations - and required follow-up
• Tailors education to patient learning style - developmental ability - and limitations due to disease or comorbidities
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:30am to 3:00pm (alternate work schedules may be considered) Telework: Ad-hoc - as determined by agency policy and supervisor discretion
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vha.elrsprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.