Physician Assistant -Psychiatry (EDRP)

Summary

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) is seeking a Full-Time, Physician Assistant -Psychiatry to join the Mental Health Service Line at the VAMC in Iowa City, Iowa. Note: This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT through December 2, 2026. The first referral cut-off is September 21, 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. The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) consists of a comprehensive Tertiary Care Level I VA Health Care System; eleven VA Clinics and two Homeless Veterans Outreach Centers and has an affiliate agreement with the top ranked University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. 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 VHAVISN23EDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave and 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory 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. Join Our Team! The Iowa City VA Health Care System is on the lookout for a passionate Physician Assistant to become a key member of our Psychiatry team in Quincy, IL. If you're ready to make a meaningful difference in veterans' lives and advance your career in a dynamic, supportive environment, we want to hear from you! Duties include but are not limited to the following: Conduct comprehensive medical evaluations of medical and surgical inpatients in collaboration with multidisciplinary medical service lines. Utilize a broad spectrum of psychiatric medications, therapeutic methods, and techniques to effectively assist patients in managing and resolving psychiatric conditions and issues. Obtain an appropriate health history and physical examination on patients who present to the Outpatient Psychiatry, Inpatient Psychiatry, Urgent Care, Inpatient Medical units and other assigned clinical areas as appropriate. Interpret the history and clinical findings, order laboratory tests, radiographic studies, ancillary tests and requested consultations within the context of the psychiatric illness; as well as perform additional evaluations of the patient to secure a comprehensive differential diagnosis and treatment plan. Consult, refer and collaborate with other disciplines. Maintain appropriate and timely documentation in the medical record of clinical services performed to include the completion of clinical reminders and alerts. Additional Clinical duties as delegated. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00 pm

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 evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. You may be required to serve a probationary period. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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/.