Sr Physician Assistant, Cardiac Surgery (Days)

University of California, Irvine•Orange, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cardiovascular Institute and Division of Cardiac Surgery at UCI Health are seeking an experienced and motivated senior surgical physician assistant (Surgical PA). As one of the leading programs at UCI-Health, our cardiac surgery division is experiencing significant growth in both volume and complexity. UCI Health is the only hospital in Orange County performing durable LVADs and caring for complex ECMO patients. Surgical PAs in this role will work four 10-hour shifts per week. Clinical responsibilities may be distributed between operative, procedural, inpatient, and acute care services based on programmatic needs. The role is expected to maintain significant operative involvement while also providing inpatient floor management, ICU support, discharge coordination, consultative services, and procedural care as needed. Inpatient and floor-based responsibilities are an expected component of the position and may comprise up to 50% of assigned clinical effort based on programmatic and patient care needs. This position provides an exceptional opportunity to gain hands-on experience in complex cardiac procedures beyond the traditional PA scope. We look forward to partnering with outstanding candidates who share our vision and commitment to advancing surgical excellence in cardiac care at UCI Health.

Requirements

Skill at clearly communicating medical information to broad variety of people, both in person and on the telephone.
Maintains clinical competence in the delivery of patient care in the specialty area. Corrections of treatment modalities.
Ability to be trained in the use of specialized medical equipment and procedures.
Ability to perform various medical procedures.
Knowledge of applicable billing practices for PA services.
Must possess the skill, knowledge, and ability essential to the successful performance of assigned duties. Must demonstrate customer service skills appropriate to the job.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across the program and UCI Health System.
Ability to exercise diplomacy and flexibility in interacting with physicians, nurses, other paramedical personnel, administrators, emergency and law enforcement officers.
Skill to clearly communicate medical information to a broad variety of people, both in person and over the telephone.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Writing skills to prepare clear medical reports, laboratory data and progress notes. Ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to the workload.
California State Physician Assistant License, issued by Physician Assistant Board under Medical Board of California by date of hire. Must be a current, active, and unrestricted license.
NCCPA certified at time of hire and maintained throughout career at UCI.
Current BLS and ACLS certification
Must have a National Provider Identifier (NPI), or obtain an NPI, prior to employment start date and meet current Medicare requirements for billing.
Must have a current DEA number.
Minimum of five years of previous experience in cardiothoracic surgery with independent competency in endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH).
Practice agreements completed and on file in Department.
Ability to obtain UCIMC Allied Health Professional Privileges prior to hire.
HIPPA and other training completion as required by Medical Center Annual TB screening and any applicable test to meet JCAHO requirements. Demonstrates an understanding of and adheres to privacy, confidentiality, and security policies and procedures related to Protected Health Information (PHI) or other sensitive and personal information.
Applicants are expected to meet the legal requirements to practice as a PA as determined by graduation from a training program approved by the Board of Medical Examiners of the State of California; to be certified by the State Board of Medical Examiners or the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization

Nice To Haves

Willingness to contribute to quality improvement projects and initiatives as well as research, education and training when appropriate.
Familiar with EPIC Electronic Medical Record.

Responsibilities

Performing endoscopic vein harvesting with experience or interest in endoscopic radial artery harvest.
First assisting in cardiac surgeries, including gaining experience in large vessel exposure, femoral artery and vein access, sternotomy procedures, and ECMO cannulation.
Advancing surgical skills under the guidance of dedicated cardiac surgeons committed to PA skill development.
Working closely with attending cardiac surgeons, ICU physicians, and cardiac nurse practitioners who oversee patient care on the floors.
Assisting in acute-care procedures such as ECMO management and performing surgical interventions in the ICU and on the floor.
Providing inpatient floor management for cardiac surgery patients, including daily rounds, discharge coordination, consultative support, and multidisciplinary care planning.