Under the direction of clinical faculty, the Physician Assistant (PA) functions as provider of patient care in the fields of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and General Surgery. Provides full clinical support in management of inpatients and outpatients. Plans, implements and evaluates health care treatments for critically ill and injured patients. Provides patient care on specific surgical in- and outpatient services. The position requires a strong emphasis on the complete care of the trauma/surgical critical care patient, from pre- to peri- to post-op settings. Identifies and solves complex clinical problems requiring use of advanced nursing skills and communicates directly with supervising trauma surgeons.

Develops and provides education to NP students, medical students, interns, residents, and fellows. Functions as liaison with trauma program manager, financial counselors, social workers, research nurses, and other support staff. Develops and provides patient education. May assume such other duties for other trauma/critical care as assigned by Trauma Director. Participates in research and/or quality assurance studies. Position requires special skills and knowledge in the fields of trauma, surgical critical care, and acute care surgery.

• Must be a graduate from a physician assistant program approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

• California Physician Assistant (PA) license.

• Current PA Certification from NCCPA.

• BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications at time of hire with commitment to get ART within six (6) months of hire date.

• Must have recent work experience as a licensed Physician Assistant in trauma, inpatient critical care, and/or an Emergency Department.

• Theoretical background in: anatomy, physiology, general medicine, pulmonary, emergency and critical care medicine, management of common diseases, concepts of medicine and surgery, therapeutics including pharmacology, counseling techniques and interpersonal dynamics.

• Demonstrated experience in performing initial history, and physical examination, identify major medical problems, and formulate appropriate plans of action.

• Ability to serve a large volume of patients rapidly and effectively on a walk-in or appointment basis, within set time limits.

• Experience and skill to operate appropriate medical equipment, i.e., Swan-Ganz catheters, central venous pressure monitors, electrocardiograph machines, cardiac defibrillator, transducer systems, digital read-out equipment, basic ventilator management, and medical computer systems.

• Demonstrated knowledge of all types of treatment and modalities necessary for the patients care and well-being.

• Strong writing skills to prepare clear medical reports, laboratory data and progress notes, as well as policies, procedures and protocols for patient care management.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to communicate in a helpful, nonjudgmental, effective and informative manner, in person or by telephone. Effective interpersonal skills including: tact, diplomacy, and flexibility in order to work effectively with all levels of professional staff, patients and community agencies. Ability to work as a team member.

• Ability to properly counsel patients and families, particularly in delicate or death and dying situations. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and other health care personnel. Ability to maintain good working relationships and communications with physicians in-charge, laboratory personnel, and members of the health care team.

• Knowledge necessary for instructing house staff, medical students, physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel in all aspects of general surgery, trauma, and critical care.

• Proven ability to assess the daily status and progress of patients and report this effectively to the physician in-charge and other medical care personnel associated with the patient.

• Excellent ability to write orders regarding execution of inpatient, outpatient plans of treatment.

• Proven skill in recording nursing/medical assessment findings accurately and completely.

• Two (2) years or more of licensed working Physician Assistant (PA) experience in trauma, surgical critical care, acute care surgery, and/or an Emergency Department.

• Level 1 Trauma experience.

• Knowledge of clinical and ancillary services within the UC San Diego Health System.

• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, on-call and locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center's business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• Must be able to obtain UCSD Medical Staff privileges and maintain during employment. Due to advanced practice credentialing eligibility, clinical advanced practice experience must be within the last two years.
• Per diem shift requirement is an average of 1 shift per week. Must be available 1 weekend shift and a minimum of 1 holiday per year. This is subject to change based on department needs.