Sr. Physician Assistant, Spine Service

University of California, Irvine•Orange, CA

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Orthopaedic Surgery Physician Assistant position will provide independent medical management to Orthopaedic Surgery patients at UCI Medical Center. The Physician Assistant provides routine care and management of patients with acute and chronic complaints under the specialty of Orthopaedic Spine and General Orthopaedics. The Physician Assistant will report to Chief Administrative Officer of Orthopaedic Surgery and be managed by the supervising physician he/she is assigned to. The Physician Assistant will have the opportunity to serve as first assistant in surgery under the supervision of the attending physician and will perform complex orthopaedic and other medical procedures. The incumbent will assist surgeons in patient care before, during and after surgery. This position will provide secondary, and in some cases tertiary care within the scope of practice, licensure and organizational policies. The Physician Assistant role is diverse, involving close relationships with the surgeon and patients. This position will primarily provide ambulatory clinical services, including taking histories, conducting physical examinations, ordering, performing, triaging, and interpreting appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests and therapies, and furnishing drugs and devices in a cost-efficient manner for specific conditions. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, disease prevention and patient education, combining the qualities of both nursing and medicine. The Physician Assistant acts as a health care resource and role model to staff by maintaining a high degree of ethics and integrity. Duties include triaging phone calls, message management, reviewing critical labs, follow-up of lab results with patient and medical staff, conducting in-depth interviews with patients and/or family, constructing comprehensive medical histories, performing initial and periodic physical examinations, and exploring patient’s interpretation of health needs. The Physician Assistant will participate as needed with inpatient rounds, writing progress notes, conducting patient education, writing prescriptions, and preparing discharge summaries. Incumbent will identify and treat patient’s diseases and manage treatment of hospitalized patients.

Requirements

Licensure through the California Physician Assistant Board as a physician assistant.
Must have a National Provider Identifier (NPI), or obtain an NPI, prior to employment start date and meet current Medicare requirements for billing.
Applicant must hold a current DEA Registration with schedules 2, 2N, 3, 3N, 4 and 5 and State issued prescribing authority.
Evidence of completion of Controlled Substances Education Course that meets requirements pursuant to California Code of Regulations Sections 1399.610 and 1399.612.
Current BLS certification from AHA approved course.
National board certification by the NCCPA at the time of initial appointment.
Initial Applicant must provide documentation of provision of care (# and type of cases/procedures performed) during the past 24 months, representative of the scope and complexity of the privileges requested.
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Significant experience and proficiency as a first assistant in a variety of orthopedic spine surgical procedures (e.g., laminectomies, fusions, discectomies) covering cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. This includes skills in tissue handling and retraction, suturing, hemostasis, and wound closure.
Familiarity with orthopedic surgical instrumentation and a thorough understanding of spine surgery techniques.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with patients and their families, supervising physicians, collaborating specialists, residents, medical students, and other healthcare team members.
Proven ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, which is crucial in an academic medical center that often involves various services and learners.
A willingness and ability to participate in the education and mentorship of PA students, medical students, and residents. Experience as a preceptor is advantageous.
Experience with clinical trials coordination.
Familiarity with UC policies and procedures.
EPIC-EMR system experience and skill.
Ability to perform various medical procedures, especially those related to Orthopaedic Surgery.
Experience working in emergency, outpatient and operating room settings.
3-5 years experience coordinating orthopaedic services, specifically orthopedic spine (interventional and medical treatments) with healthcare providers and interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary care teams.
ACLS, if applicable.

Responsibilities

Provide independent medical management to Orthopaedic Surgery patients.
Provide routine care and management of patients with acute and chronic complaints under the specialty of Orthopaedic Spine and General Orthopaedics.
Serve as first assistant in surgery under the supervision of the attending physician.
Perform complex orthopaedic and other medical procedures.
Assist surgeons in patient care before, during and after surgery.
Provide secondary, and in some cases tertiary care within the scope of practice, licensure and organizational policies.
Primarily provide ambulatory clinical services, including taking histories, conducting physical examinations, ordering, performing, triaging, and interpreting appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests and therapies, and furnishing drugs and devices in a cost-efficient manner for specific conditions.
Emphasize health promotion, disease prevention and patient education.
Act as a health care resource and role model to staff by maintaining a high degree of ethics and integrity.
Triage phone calls, message management, reviewing critical labs, follow-up of lab results with patient and medical staff.
Conduct in-depth interviews with patients and/or family.
Construct comprehensive medical histories.
Perform initial and periodic physical examinations.
Explore patient’s interpretation of health needs.
Participate as needed with inpatient rounds, writing progress notes, conducting patient education, writing prescriptions, and preparing discharge summaries.
Identify and treat patient’s diseases and manage treatment of hospitalized patients.