DESCRIPTION

As the largest and oldest department within the UC San Diego School of Medicine, the Department of Medicine employs nearly 500 faculty members and 1,000 academic appointees, residents, fellow, postdocs, and staff, in pursuit of its academic, clinical, and research missions.

Under the department of Medicine in the division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the East Campus Medical Center, the Advanced Heart Failure Senior Physician Assistant is responsible for the care of advanced heart failure, transplant and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) patients in the inpatient setting. Provides clinical assistance and support in treating and managing patients and acts as a key member of the multidisciplinary heart failure, heart transplant and MCS team. Evaluates patients in all phases of the care continuum, including history and physical, patient preparation, procedures, medical management and post-operative care. Solves complex clinical problems and communicates directly with attending physician, fellows and resident. Acts as consultant and liaison for patients and their families with attending physicians, house staff, social services, care management, transplant office, financial and administrative staff and nursing. Provides teaching to patients, staff, post-acute care partners and community organizations as necessary. Designated expert resource person on the basis of advanced clinical expertise in patient care for heart failure, heart transplant and MCS patients. Assigned more complex cases requiring the use of advanced skills and typically works with greater independence.

The Senior Physician Assistant is expected to practice consistent with Professional Standards of Practice. Collaborate judgment with physician is expected to be exercised within the context of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care. Under general supervision, the Senior PA performs operational level duties as described in the Series Concept. The major emphasis of this position is direct patient care delivery. Assignments at this level primarily encompass management of patients who present chronic and/or episodic health problems. Assignments at this level may include responsibility for occasional community teaching programs, participation in program planning and development of patient education information. May perform other related duties as assigned.

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 6 months of hire date.

• Minimum two (2) years of full-time experience as a (PA) Physician Assistant.

• Must have experience with advanced heart failure patients in an inpatient environment.

• Demonstrated experience diagnosing and treating Cardiac patients.

• Demonstrated experience working independently as a Advanced Practice Provider and exercising independent clinical judgment with demonstrated experience formulating and modifying specialized treatment plans.

• Demonstrated understanding of normal and abnormal laboratory values, diagnostic tests, electrocardio tracings and radiologic studies; and identification of deviations.

• Possess the skills, knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. Specific qualification requirements are defined for positions by the appropriate user departments.

• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with attending physicians and patient's primary medical team.

• Critical thinking skills.

• Ability to pay conscientious attention to detail.

• Demonstrated experience developing and organizing training for patients and staff.

• Demonstrated experience taking detailed medical history, performing physical examinations, and interpreting findings.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of pathology of Adult Congenital Heart Disease patient population and expected outcomes.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• 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 gained through school or work experience.