(PA) Physician Assistant - Trauma/Surgery/Burn - 135599

Under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Surgery or designated attending, the Physician Assistant functions as a provider of patient care in the fields of trauma, general surgery, and burn. Provides full clinical support in the management of inpatient services. Develops and provides education to students, medical students, interns, residents, and fellows. Functions as liaison to counselors, social workers, research nurses, and other clinic support staff. Participates in the evaluation of new products and equipment to be used in the OR. Develops and implements policies and procedures related to the management of surgical patients.

The Physician Assistant (PA) will function as a provider of patient care in the fields of trauma, general surgery, burn surgery, and vascular surgery. The goal is to:

• Provide comprehensive clinical support in management of inpatients, trauma resuscitation and consultations.

• Plan, implement and evaluate health care treatments for critically ill and injured patients.

• Develop and provide patient education.

• Participates in quality assurance programs.

• 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 and ACLS certifications at time of hire with commitment to get ART within six months of hire date.

• Minimum one (1) year of recent work experience as a licensed Physician Assistant treating and evaluating surgery patients. Experience in trauma highly preferred.

• 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.

• Ability to perform initial history, and physical examination, identify major medical problems, and formulate appropriate plans of action.

• Knowledge of operating room standards and techniques.

• 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, and medical computer systems.

• Knowledge of all types of treatment and modalities necessary for the patients care and well-being and the skill in recording nursing/medical assessment findings accurately and completely.

• Knowledge necessary for instructing housestaff, medical students, physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel in all aspects of surgical care.

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

• Ability to be trained in the use of specialized medical equipment.

• Ability to maintain detailed medical information in an organized and easily retrievable manner.

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

• Skill at providing clear written, verbal and telephone communication with a wide variety of people.

• Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification.

• Recent experience as an independent provider.

• Recent acute care trauma experience.

• Knowledge of clinical and ancillary services within the UCSD Medical Center.

• 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.