DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the attending Physician, in collaboration with Department Leadership, incumbent provides direct care to cardiac patients. Serves as liaison between patients and physicians, responsible for providing routine care and management of the patient with acute and chronic complaints with physician and other team members. Responsible for providing excellent patient care, offering high level of compassion and comfort discussing pain and symptom management to develop patient's plan care. Will work in collaboration with the physician, and is directly accountable for making clinical judgments using independent and interdependent decision-making skills. Primary focus is on the provision of direct and indirect patient care in managing the health care needs of the identified patient population. Position requires special knowledge, skills, and abilities in the fields of oncology and surgery.

Evaluates and manages patient population, with appropriate referral and collaboration with Attending Physician(s). Participates in care coordination, patient tracking and monitoring, and documentation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 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 work experience as a licensed Physician Assistant. Recent cardiology and inpatient experience preferred. Due to advanced practice credentialing eligibility, clinical advanced practice experience must be within the last two years.

• Experience in cardiac patient care and triage expertise to identify and implement clinical interventions.

• Proficiency in complete care of the cardiac patient.

• Skill in insertion of intravenous lines. Knowledge of various immunizations.

• Working knowledge of inpatient and outpatient services with recent direct patient care experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skill to perform basic nursing techniques, i.e., taking vital signs, collecting lab specimens, administering medications, initiating and monitoring IVs, setting up sterile trays and assisting in procedures. Knowledge and skill in performing emergency procedures.

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

• Ability to analyze and interpret data in a meaningful manner.

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

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

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

• Demonstrated knowledge of medical terminology and basic medical equipment.

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

• 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 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.

• 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.

• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing. Excellent interpersonal skills, using tact and diplomacy in order to interact effectively with all levels of professional staff and a diversity of patients. Skill in appropriate telephone techniques.

• Knowledge of medical ethics and law practices, pertaining to medical and medical socioeconomics.

• Skill in interpreting lab test results commonly used in the clinical area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more (2+) years of PA experience with Cardiovascular Inpatient care.

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

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours, nights, 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.