This vacancy is for a GS-0603-13, Physician Assistant located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, NMC MEDICAL EVALUATION DIVISION. Duty location will be Martinsburg, WV.
Basic Requirements: All applicants must meet the following basic requirements: Graduation from a physician assistant educational program, accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant (external link) (ARC-PA) or its predecessors, at a college, university, or educational institution that is accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (external link) at the time the degree was obtained. Successful completion of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (external link) (NCCPA) examination; must maintain status as a certified physician assistant, including completion of all requirements for Continuing Medical Education (external link) (CME) and re-certification. Licensure: All applicants must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physician Assistant from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. A minimum of one full year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to the next lower grade level and completion of an accredited physician assistant educational program is required. To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Experience that demonstrates the ability to apply clinical knowledge- ideally in occupational or preventive medicine- to assess fitness for medical certification in a safety sensitive environment. This experience requires reviewing and analyzing medical documentation, such as physical examinations, diagnostic test results, and physician statements, to determine whether the individual meets the established standards for certification. The work requires a comprehensive understanding of general medical conditions and their functional impact, with particular emphasis on the risk posed by chronic, progressive, or potentially impairing conditions in hazardous work environments, such as those found in maritime operations. Experience should reflect skills in interpreting complex health records, applying regulatory guidelines, and making objective, evidence-based determinations that support public and transportation safety. NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
You will serve as a Physician Assistant and be responsible for serving as an evaluator for the Merchant Marine Medical Evaluator Program (MEP), responsible for determining Merchant Mariners are fit for certification to ensure the safe operation of commercial vessels. This is a national Coast Guard program affecting 220,000 active merchant mariners with direct effect on global maritime safety and national security. The mariner population represents a large variety of health conditions that may present a safety risk to the marine transportation system. The variety of duties performed by merchant mariners requires a substantial and exceptional range and depth of occupational medicine knowledge. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include: Evaluating medical certificate applications for fitness for medical certification as required for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) Interpreting results of medical examinations and evaluations Reconciling contradictions, conflicts, and inconsistencies in submitted documentation Issuing medical waivers to applicants with certain medical conditions Conducting work in accordance with the Program's Mission Management System (MMS)