(PA) Sr. Physician Assistant, Medicine Hospitalist - 137664

The Department of Medicine (DOM) is the largest department within the UCSD School of Medicine and is responsible for fulfilling the teaching, research, and clinical missions of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. The department employs approximately 500 salaried faculty, 168 academic appointees, 331 residents, fellow and postdocs and 479 staff personnel.

Under the direction of the division chief and faculty supervisor, the Senior Physician Assistant (PA) will provide outstanding inpatient clinical care as part of the Hospital Medicine care team at Hillcrest Hospital, Thornton Hospital and/or Jacobs Medical Center.

The Sr. PA is responsible for the evaluation and assessment of medical inpatients. Patients have a wide variety of complex diseases and symptoms, including sepsis, malignant neoplasms, transplant complications, infection processes, and potential hemodynamic instability, among other pathophysiologic processes. Working collaboratively with nurses, consultants, referring providers, and ancillary staff, and drawing on experience and expertise in evaluating and interpreting historical clinical laboratory and radiographic data, the Senior Physician Assistant will develop, coordinate, and execute the care plan during the hospital stay. In addition, the Senior Physician Assistant will evaluate new patients for admission, perform medicine consults, and perform bedside procedures as appropriate. They will also provide education and support to patients and their families as needed.

• 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.

• BART or BLS at time of hire with commitment to get BART w/in 6 months of hire date.

• At least one (1) year of high-volume inpatient Physician Assistant experience is required.

• Excellent clinical skills, including experience in the evaluation and assessment of complex medical inpatients, including vital signs, fluid status, laboratory data, radiographic data; experience in formulating appropriate evaluation and treatment plans; experience with bedside procedures, including venous access, paracentesis, lumbar puncture, and thoracentesis.

• Demonstrated experience performing initial history and physical examination; identifying major medical problems, and formulating appropriate plans of action.

• Demonstrated experience performing diagnostic tests, exams, procedures (laboratory blood tests, FNA, punch biopsies, and excision biopsies) used in adult medicine. Knowledge of the purpose of these tests and infection control mechanisms.

• Knowledge of clinical pharmacology sufficient to prescribe inpatient medications.

• Demonstrated experience providing patient education and counseling, and developing and implementing long and short-range treatment plans. Comfortable in a group teaching setting.

• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with diverse populations, including professional and non-professional staff. Demonstration of a high level of professionalism and excellent communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills in order to rapidly prioritize activities in a high-volume, dynamic, multiple-demand hospital setting.

• Demonstrated strong computer skills and knowledge of PCIS/EPIC for retrieval of patient data (Computer skills required; PCIS/EPIC preferred).

• Proficiency in documentation of patient conditions and outcomes.

• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and experience in independently solving problems and making recommendations.

• Demonstrated knowledge of ICD-9 and CPT codes for diagnoses and procedures.

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to understand the medical as well as the psychosocial needs of a complex medical inpatient population.

• Possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to theposition.

• Prior hospitalist or inpatient medicine experience.

• Experience in an academic medical center or major teaching hospital.

• Experience with hospital admissions.

• Must be willing and able to work flexible schedules, including weekends, holidays, nights and occasional overtime, when job duties require additional time.

• Position location will vary from Hillcrest to the La Jolla medical campus, based on divisional 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 gained through school or work experience.