PAY FOR NURSES AND CERTAIN OTHER MEDICAL POSITIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

SEC. 102. PAY FOR NURSES AND CERTAIN OTHER MEDICAL POSITIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) Maximum Rate of Basic Pay.—Section 7451 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(2)(C), by striking “and physician assistant” and inserting “physician assistant, and podiatrist”; and (2) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: “(2)(A) The maximum rate of basic pay for any grade for a covered position may not exceed— “(i) in the case of an advanced practice nurse, the maximum rate of basic pay established for positions in level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5; “(ii) in the case of a physician assistant, the maximum rate of basic pay established for positions in level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5; “(iii) in the case of a registered nurse, the maximum rate of basic pay established for positions in level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5; and “(iv) in the case of any other covered position, the maximum rate of basic pay established for positions in level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5. “(B) The maximum rate of basic pay for a grade for the position of certified registered nurse anesthetist pursuant to an adjustment under subsection (d) may exceed the maximum rate otherwise provided in subparagraph (A).” . (b) Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants Serving in Management Positions.—Section 7404 of such title is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(2)— (A) by striking “The pay of physicians” and inserting “(A) The pay of physicians”; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: “(B) The basic pay of registered nurses and physician assistants serving in positions to which an Executive order applies under paragraph (1) may be determined under subchapter IV of this chapter instead of such Executive order. Such positions shall not otherwise be covered by such subchapter, except with respect to bonuses under section 7452 or 7458 or special pay under subsection (g) of such section 7452.” ; and (2) in subsection (e)— (A) by inserting “basic pay” after “paid”; and (B) by striking “rate established for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5” and inserting “rates established under subchapter IV of this chapter”.