Individual Occupational Requirements for
GS-603: Physician's Assistant Series
The text below is extracted verbatim from
Section IV-B of the Operating Manual for Qualification Standards
for General Schedule Positions (p.IV-B-92), but contains minor edits
to conform to web-page requirements.
This is an individual qualification standard.
Basic Requirements:
A broad background of knowledge of the medical environment,
practices, and procedures such as would be acquired by a bachelor's
degree in a health care occupation such as nursing, medical
technology, or physical therapy, or by 3 years of responsible and
progressive health care experience such as medical corpsman,
nursing assistant, or medical technician; and successful completion
of a certificate or diploma program of at least 12 months,
including clinical training or preceptorship, specifically designed
for professional-caliber physician's assistants that provided the
knowledge and ability required to take a detailed medical history,
to conduct a physical examination, to follow observation
procedures, to order and perform diagnostic and therapeutic tasks,
and to exercise a degree of judgment in integrating and
interpreting findings on the basis of general medical knowledge; or
equivalent education and training.
OR
Successful completion of a full 4-year program for physician
assistants leading to a bachelor's degree.
The course of study or training must be approved by a
nationally-recognized professional body such as the Committee on
Allied Health Education and Accreditation or the Accrediting Bureau
of Health Education Schools, or by a panel of physicians
established by a Federal agency for this purpose.
Applicants who meet the basic requirements qualify for GS-7.
Additional Requirements for Grades GS-9 and Above:
EDUCATION
Applicants who have completed 3 full years of a curriculum in an
accredited medical school leading to the Doctor of Medicine or
Doctor or Osteopathy degree may be rated eligible for GS-9.
Applicants who have completed the requirements for the degrees of
Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy, but who lack licensure to practice
medicine in the United States, may be rated eligible for GS-11.
OR
EXPERIENCE
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next
lower grade level. The required experience must have demonstrated
the ability to perform professional-caliber medical work as a
physician's assistant with minimal supervision, including the
exercise of a degree of judgment in integrating and interpreting
diagnostic findings and in determining the need for referral to a
physician.
Applicants qualifying on the basis of
specialized experience must have the following:
- Ability to identify a medical problem and determine appropriate action to meet the problem,
including referral to a physician.
- Knowledge and understanding of the environment, principles, ethics, and special human
relationships in the field of medicine.
- Knowledge of the medical, biological, and physical sciences related to the applicable area
of medicine.
- Knowledge of and ability to perform specified diagnostic and therapeutic practices and
procedures.
- Ability to work responsibly with physicians and other members of the medical team, and to
deal effectively with patients.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
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