DESCRIPTION

UCSD Department of Radiology is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments in the country. It offers challenging career opportunities in the diverse areas of advanced educational programs, leading-edge research, and state-of-the-art services for clinical and translational studies. The department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growth opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

The Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) division operates within the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and serves to provide image-guided procedures and the associated medical care, teaching, and research to UCSD patients with indicated need for such services.

Under the direction of the Chief of Vascular and Interventional (IR) Radiology, the Interventional Physician Assistant (PA) serves as a designated expert for assessing more complex VIR cases and performing difficult procedures that require advanced skills and knowledge, including lumbar punctures, PICC line placement, vascular access placement, insertion, changing, and removal of gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy tubes and T-fasteners, paracentesis, and thoracentesis, and image guided biopsies,HSG, chest tube placement, image guided drain placement, drain evaluations, and pleurX drain placements. The incumbent may be requested to assist the VIR physician perform more complex VIR procedures. In the outpatient vascular and interventional radiology (VIR) clinic setting, see patients independently or in conjunction with the attending MDs for new patient consultations and clinical follow-up visits. Duties would include but are not limited to writing notes, entering electronic orders, and scheduling procedures.

In addition, the PA maintains appropriate forms and develops relevant protocols for the clinic. Schedules and conducts clinical consultations for interventional procedures, obtains and interprets medical histories, performs initial and periodic physical exams, assesses test results and other measurements, prescribes medications and supportive therapies, and provides or mediates patient follow-up. Incumbent performs daily rounds on hospitalized patients who have had IR procedures; assesses catheters and drains that maybe in place; assesses laboratory findings including blood tests, non-invasive peripheral vascular studies, ultrasounds, MRI, CT scans and X-rays; reviews physical examination findings, laboratory and imaging findings and makes plans for procedures with the interventional radiologists; organizes and orders follow-up imaging and laboratory studies and clinic visits on patients who have had procedures and require continuity of care; communicates clinical findings to interventional radiologists, nurses and interventional radiology technologists; communicates plans for procedures with the interventional nurses and technical staff; plans, implements, and evaluates health care treatments. Provides initial triage and delegation of VIR referrals and clinical inquiries from patients, families, and providers. Liaisons and coordinates care with referring teams, bills appropriately for VIR encounters.

The PA utilizes critical thinking skills to individualize patient care in order to manage illness, promote well-being, and foster rehabilitative and disease preventive lifestyle choices. Identifies and solves complex clinical IR problems, collaborates with other UCSD and community health care providers, prepares cases for the relevant VIR attending and consulting physicians, and trains staff and study coordinators to meet clinical standards of practice. Prepares and maintains files in anticipation of internal, TJC, sponsor, or FDA audits. Recruits and schedules clinical trials subjects, collects study data, establishes and maintains research protocols, and coordinates all follow-up procedures. The incumbent oversees regulatory compliance and quality assurance for industry studies and serves as primary resource for clinic staff. Plans and presents in-services to staff and/or community groups.

Depending on the experience of the selected candidate, this position will be hired at the PA or Sr. PA level.

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)

• Current State of California Physician Assistant (PA) license.

• Current Physician Assistant Certification from NCCPA.

• BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications at time of hire, with a commitment to get UCSD ART within six months

• Must obtain a California Fluoroscopy Operator Permit within six months of employment.

• Minimum of six (6) months of working experience as a Physician Assistant.

• Ability to extract pertinent information from data in order to diagnose an individual's medical disorder.

• Strong knowledge of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and Guidelines.

• Experience in assessment of diagnostic tests and appropriate follow-up treatment.

• Experience assessing interventional radiology complications and abnormal lab and diagnosticradiology results.

• Knowledge of the Experimental Bill of Rights to ensure effective advocacy for participants.

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

• Experience in evaluating of diagnostic worksheets, taking telephone or direct consults and facilitating scheduling of patients.

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

• Experience to properly counsel patients and families, particularly in delicate or death and dying situations.

• Experience to communicate effectively with patients and other health care personnel, and maintain confidentiality.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain good working relationships and communications with physicians in-charge, laboratory personnel, and members of the health care team.

• Strong knowledge of diseases which are potentially treated by interventional radiology procedures and how to manage them, including knowledge of medical treatment, surgical treatment, and interventional radiology therapies, their benefits and complications.

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

• Demonstrated experience and 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.

• Demonstrated ability to teach and supervise others to conduct physical exams, including assessment of findings.

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

• Experience to maintain databases and use word processing programs, including but not limited to MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Experience with PCIS, EPIC.

• Proven knowledge of common diagnostic tests, exams, procedures used in adult medicine including purpose, supplies and/or equipment needed, how to perform test, exam and/or procedure accurately, infection control mechanisms and recording in medical record.

• Experience in performing more complex interventional procedures including PICC line placement, vascular access removal, paracentesis, and thoracentesis.

• Experience in treating patients in the field of vascular and interventional radiology.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Highly prefer more than 1 year of PA experience within Interventional Radiology.

• Procedural, ultrasound, or other imaging experience.

• Ambulatory care PA experience.

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

• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and English.

• Accredited PA Specialty Certification.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, 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.

• Must have a minimum of 1 year of PA experience to be considered as a Sr. Physician Assistant.