Advance Your Career as a Physician Assistant in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Naval Medical Center San Diego

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently seeking a dedicated and experienced Physician Assistant (PA) to support the Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine department at the prestigious Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. This role offers the unique opportunity to provide high-quality, specialized care to service members, retirees, and their families in one of the most advanced military medical facilities in the United States.

Job Responsibilities

As a Physician Assistant specializing in pulmonary and sleep medicine, you will be an integral member of a multidisciplinary clinical team. Key responsibilities include:

Performing comprehensive physical examinations for new and returning patients.
Diagnosing respiratory and sleep-related conditions and developing tailored therapeutic plans.
Interpreting complex sleep studies and diagnostic reports.
Managing medication schedules and prescribing treatments.
Recording detailed patient progress notes to ensure continuity of care.
Collaborating with both internal and external medical professionals to optimize patient outcomes.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
Education: Completion of an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program.
Certification: Current NCCPA certification and maintenance of CME requirements.
Licensure: An active, full, and unrestricted license to practice as a PA in any U.S. state or territory.
Experience: A minimum of one year of specialized clinical experience, including performing examinations, treatment planning, and prescribing medication.
Compliance: Must pass a drug test and be eligible for a Secret security clearance.

Salary Overview

This position offers a competitive salary structure commensurate with federal pay guidelines.

Pay Detail	Range
Salary Range	$102,246 - $132,923 per year
Pay Basis	Per Year
Locality Pay	Included in total salary

Benefits

Federal employees at the DHA enjoy a robust benefits package, which may include:

Comprehensive health and life insurance options.
Generous retirement benefits, including TSP matching.
Potential for recruitment or relocation bonuses for exceptional candidates.
Advanced leave accrual for those who qualify.
A stable, professional work environment centered on military readiness.

Application Tips

Watch Your Length: The system will automatically reject resumes longer than two pages. Keep your summary concise and focused.
Documentation is Key: Ensure all licenses and certifications are submitted in your initial application package.
Use Plain Language: Avoid military or internal agency acronyms; ensure a hiring manager can easily understand your clinical accomplishments.
Double-Check Deadlines: Your application must be complete by September 11, 2026.

Is telework available for this role?

No, this role requires on-site clinical presence at the medical facility.

How will I be evaluated?

Evaluation is based on your resume, the questionnaire, and your professional documentation to ensure you meet the specialized experience requirements.

If you are a clinical professional looking to apply your skills in a high-impact environment, the Physician Assistant role at the Naval Medical Center San Diego is an outstanding opportunity. Apply by September 11, 2026, to be considered for this vital role in supporting our nation's service members.

Why This Physician Assistant (Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine) Job Matters

Join the elite team at Naval Medical Center San Diego as a Physician Assistant specializing in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, where your expertise directly supports the health and readiness of our military community.

Physician Assistant (Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine) Job Overview

The Defense Health Agency is seeking a highly skilled Physician Assistant to join the Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine department at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. In this critical role, you will work within a multidisciplinary team to provide specialized outpatient care, perform comprehensive physical examinations, interpret sleep studies, and manage therapeutic treatment plans for military personnel, retirees, and their families.

Requirements for Physician Assistant (Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine)

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Graduation from an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant educational program.
Successful completion of the NCCPA examination and maintenance of current certification.
Possession of a current, active, full, and unrestricted state or territory license to practice as a PA.
Minimum of one year of specialized clinical experience involving physical exams, treatment plans, and medication prescription.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Must complete a pre-employment drug screening.
Male applicants born after 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.

Preferred Qualifications for Physician Assistant (Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine)

Proven history of providing clinical care in an outpatient or specialty medicine environment.
Experience working in a multidisciplinary team setting within a large healthcare organization.
Proficiency in interpreting advanced diagnostic sleep studies and chronic respiratory treatment planning.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay adjustments.
✓Comprehensive federal health insurance and retirement plans.
✓Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates.
✓Opportunities for advanced leave accrual and advanced in-hire salary placement.
✓Direct deposit of pay.
✓Professional environment with a focus on mission-critical medical care.

💡 How to Apply Physician Assistant (Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Physician Assistant (Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine) Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less, clearly detailing your clinical experience with specific dates and hours worked.
Complete the online questionnaire through the application portal.
Upload all required documentation, including your professional license and any optional performance appraisals.
Review your application package for accuracy, ensuring no personal photos are included.
Submit your complete package by the closing date of September 11, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume to exactly two pages or less; longer resumes will be automatically rejected.
Be specific about your work history; include employer names, titles, and exact dates to ensure you receive credit for your experience.
Ensure your license documentation is clearly legible and uploaded correctly to avoid being rated as ineligible.
Submit well before the deadline, as document virus scans can take up to an hour to process.
Avoid using unexplained acronyms; write in clear, plain language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a secret security clearance mandatory for this role?

Yes, this position is designated as Noncritical-Sensitive and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Can I substitute education for the required one year of experience?

The position requires a minimum of one full year of specialized work experience as a certified PA, regardless of educational background.

What happens if my resume exceeds two pages?

Per the hiring requirements, any resume exceeding the two-page limit will be removed from consideration.

What is the primary location for this job?

This position is based at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California.

Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha

The Defense Health Agency is an integrated healthcare system that delivers medical services across the Department of Defense. As a strategic partner to the Joint Force, the agency ensures the health and readiness of over 9.5 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide. Working here means joining a team of professionals committed to excellence, innovation, and unwavering support for our military community.