DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, the Physician Assistant (PA) is responsible for providing pre and post-transplant patient care in the Lung Transplant Program. Provides clinical assistance and support in treating and managing inpatients and acts as key member of the multidisciplinary transplant team. Evaluates patients pre and post-transplant in the inpatient setting, including history and physical, patient preparation, procedures and management. Solves complex clinical problems and communicates directly with the attending physician, fellows and residents. Provides comprehensive care of the transplant patients for surgical and medical disciplines.

The PA is a consultant and liaison for patients and their families with attending physicians, house staff, social service staff, financial and administrative staff, inpatient nursing and community organizations. Provides teaching to patients, staff, and community organizations. Designated expert resource person on the basis of advanced clinical expertise in patient care for lung transplant patients. Assigned more complex cases requiring the use of advanced skills and typically works with greater independence.

Learn more about UC San Diego Health's Transplant Programs.

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

• DEA license.

• Recent relevant clinical experience in inpatient transplant or critical care.

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and other health care personnel, and skill at providing clear written, verbal and telephone communication with a wide variety of people.

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

• Ability to perform various medical procedures, for diagnostic studies and therapeutic modalities.

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

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

• Knowledge of all types of treatment and modalities necessary for patients care and well-being, and 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.

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

• Ability to be trained in the use of specialized medical equipment e.g., tissue perfusion measuring devices.

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

• Knowledge necessary for instructing house staff, medical students, physicians, nurses and other medical personnel in all aspects of acute and chronic care.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Lung transplant experience.

• Two or more years of working PA experience in inpatient transplant or critical care.

• Bilingual - English/Spanish.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• 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.

• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, on-call and locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center's business needs.

• This position may involve a weekend rotation and will take call.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.