Physician assistants and expanded-function dental auxiliaries shall be entitled to additional pay on the same basis as provided for nurses in section 7453 of this title.

When the Secretary determines it to be necessary in order to obtain or retain the services of individuals in positions listed in section 7401(3) of this title, the Secretary may, on a nationwide, local, or other geographic basis, pay persons employed in such positions additional pay on the same basis as provided for nurses in section 7453 of this title.

(1) When the Secretary determines it to be necessary in order to obtain or retain the services of individuals in positions listed in section 7401(3) of this title, the Secretary may, on a nationwide, local, or other geographic basis, pay persons employed in such positions additional pay on the same basis as provided for nurses in section 7453 of this title.

(2) Health care professionals employed in positions referred to in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to additional pay on the same basis as provided for nurses in section 7453(c) of this title.

(3) Employees appointed under section 7408 of this title performing service on a tour of duty, any part of which is within the period commencing at midnight Friday and ending at midnight Sunday, shall receive additional pay in addition to the rate of basic pay provided such employees for each hour of service on such tour at a rate equal to 25 percent of such employee’s hourly rate of basic pay.

The Secretary shall prescribe by regulation standards for compensation and payment under this section.

(Added Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 401(b)(4), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 234; amended Pub. L. 107–135, title I, § 121(a), Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2450; Pub. L. 108–170, title III, §§ 301(d), 303(a), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2057, 2058; Pub. L. 111–163, title VI, § 601(k)(2), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1171.)