Physician Assistant Pediatric Acute Care Pathway Emergency Department

Children's Mercy KC • Kansas City, MO

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Thanks for your interest in Children's Mercy! Do you envision finding a meaningful role with an inclusive and compassionate team? At Children’s Mercy, we believe in making a difference in the lives of all children and shining a light of hope to the patients and families we serve. Our employees make the difference, which is why we have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top pediatric hospital, for eleven consecutive years.
Children’s Mercy is in the heart of Kansas City – a metro abounding in cultural experiences, vibrant communities and thriving businesses. This is where our patients and families live, work and play. This is a community that has embraced our hospital and we strive to say thanks by giving back. As a leader in children’s health, we engage in meaningful programs and partnerships throughout the region so that we can improve the lives of children beyond the walls of our hospital.
Overview
The PA Pediatric Acute Care Pathway is a structured, competency‑building program designed to enhance inpatient coverage by equipping novice PAs with the skills and confidence needed for pediatric acute care. Through a comprehensive 6–8 month onboarding experience, participants receive division‑specific clinical training, hands‑on support, and progressive responsibility to ensure a strong transition into practice.
All PAs in the pathway participate in an expanded general acute care pediatrics curriculum and are concurrently enrolled in the APP Transition to Practice Program, providing a robust educational foundation and ongoing professional development.
Participating divisions provide care across inpatient services, and schedules could include days, nights, weekends, and holidays to support 24/7 team coverage.”
The Children’s Mercy Division of Emergency Medicine provides the highest level care to sick and injured children and adolescents in the Kansas City region. We have two emergency departments where patients receive skilled care from highly trained and passionate health care professionals. The ED APP will staff day shifts and evening shifts, with sporadic overnight coverage within one of the two emergency departments. All shifts will be 10 hours - 3 shifts per week. They will work as part of a team to provide high level care for children, birth-18 years, with a variety of chief medical complaints. They will provide autonomous direct patient management, with the ability to collaborate with physicians of emergency medicine. Responsibilities include completing thorough history and physical assessments, ordering/interpreting lab tests, developing differential diagnosis, implementing plans of care and coordinating the disposition process. The APP will be expected to work effectively with the medical team by communicating clearly with families, working well with physicians and physician trainees, being a resource for nursing staff and collaborating with multiple subspecialties that function in the emergency department.
The Physician Assistant I (PA-I) provides comprehensive, evidence-based advanced practice to address the physiologic, psychosocial, and developmental needs of patients and families within the framework of the collaborative practice/supervisory agreement. The PA-I participates in beginning leadership, evidenced-based practice/ research, and organizational development activities with the support and direction of an experienced PA mentor.
At Children’s Mercy, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed within our walls. A successful candidate for this position will join us as we strive to create a workplace that reflects the community we serve, as well as our core values of kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity.
Additionally, it’s important to us that we remain transparent with all potential job candidates. Because we value the safety of the patients and families we serve, as well as the Children’s Mercy staff, we want to let you know that the seasonal influenza vaccine is a condition of employment for all employees in our organization. New employees must be willing to be vaccinated if found non-immune to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox (varicella) and/or without evidence of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination since 2005. If you are selected for this position, you will be asked to supply your immunization records as proof of vaccination. If you and have any concerns about receiving these vaccines, medical and/or religious exemptions can be further discussed with Human Resources.

Requirements

• Master's Degree Required
• No Experience necessary / On-the-Job Training
• Licensed Physician Assistant KS
• Licensed Physician Assistant MO
• Successful completion of the NCCPA Certification Exam Required Upon Hire
• PA certification congruent with population and practice setting (see policy statement: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and Physician Assistant (PA) Roles and Practice Setting) Required Upon Hire
• Refer to Nursing and Advanced Practice Provider Licensure and Certification policy for required Life Support Certifications Required Upon Hire

Nice To Haves

• Other Doctorate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Practice: competently provides comprehensive, evidence-based advanced practice care to address the physiologic, psychosocial, and developmental needs of patients and families within the framework of the collaborative practice/supervisory agreement.
• Professional Practice: actively participates in beginning leadership, evidenced-based practice/research, and organizational development activities with the support and direction of an Advanced Practice Provider mentor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level