Sr Physician Assistant, Trauma (Swing Shift)

University of California, Irvine•Orange, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The position of Sr Physician Assistant – Trauma Service (Swing Shift) in the Department of Surgery requires a highly competent, independent yet team-oriented individual who will be immersed in the management and coordination of inpatient trauma care across the continuum. This position supports the Trauma Service during swing shift hours and focuses on clinical management, care coordination, discharge facilitation, procedural support, and acute clinical response. Duties include, but are not limited to, performing comprehensive assessments, planning and evaluating care of trauma patients on the inpatient trauma service and in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). The Physician Assistant will participate in structured inpatient sign-out at the beginning and end of shift to ensure continuity of care and will collaborate closely with Trauma surgeons, residents, nursing staff, case management, social work, and ancillary services. The Sr Physician Assistant will respond to Rapid Response activations involving Trauma patients, participate in trauma resuscitations as assigned, perform surgical consultations on potential trauma or acute care surgery patients, and assist with bedside procedures within approved privileges and scope of practice (including chest tube removal, wound VAC changes, complex dressing changes, drain removal, laceration repairs, and tracheostomy downsizing or removal). This role includes responsibility for discharge planning and throughput management, including coordination of Durable Medical Equipment (DME), home health services, discharge medications, and removal of barriers to safe discharge. The Physician Assistant collaborates with the Trauma Nurse Navigator to ensure appropriate follow-up care and supports departmental patient flow initiatives consistent with operational goals. The Sr Physician Assistant is responsible for reviewing critical labs and results, performing tertiary examinations and/or preparing progress notes for SICU downgrades, ensuring documentation meets regulatory, compliance, and billing standards, and maintaining accurate and timely charting in the electronic medical record. Under the joint supervision of the Chief of Trauma, Burns, and Critical Care Services and the Trauma Medical Director, and guided by applicable policies, procedures, credentialing standards, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Physician Assistant participates in comprehensive inpatient trauma care and provides multidisciplinary coordination, education, monitoring, and communication with patients and families. The Senior Physician Assistant (Sr. PA) practices both independently and collaboratively within the scope of licensure, the supervising physician Practice Agreement, and applicable medical staff credentialing guidelines. Scheduling, weekend assignments, holiday coverage, and service assignments may vary based on patient census, acuity, and operational needs, consistent with applicable institutional policies and the relevant Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Requirements

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.
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 establish and maintain effective working relationships across the organization.
Must demonstrate customer service skills appropriate to the job.
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.
Ability to be trained in the use of specialized medical equipment and procedures.
Active Board Certification from NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) Active National Provider Identifier (NPI) number
Must be a current, active, and unrestricted licensed Physician Assistant in the State of California.
Practice agreements completed and on file in Department
The PA must have a current DEA number from the US Drug Enforcement Administration
Current BLS and ACLS certification.
Within six months of hire, ATLS certification.
Two or more years of clinical experience managing adult or adolescent patients in an inpatient trauma, acute care surgery, or surgical critical care setting.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in electronic medical record systems, preferably Epic.
Familiarity with UC policies, procedures, and documentation standards.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and/or Vietnamese preferred.
Experience in Trauma, Acute Care Surgery, Critical Care, or Emergency Medicine, preferably in a high-acuity inpatient setting.
Experience with inpatient discharge planning, care coordination, and patient throughput initiatives.

Responsibilities

performing comprehensive assessments
planning and evaluating care of trauma patients on the inpatient trauma service and in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU)
participate in structured inpatient sign-out at the beginning and end of shift to ensure continuity of care
collaborate closely with Trauma surgeons, residents, nursing staff, case management, social work, and ancillary services
respond to Rapid Response activations involving Trauma patients
participate in trauma resuscitations as assigned
perform surgical consultations on potential trauma or acute care surgery patients
assist with bedside procedures within approved privileges and scope of practice (including chest tube removal, wound VAC changes, complex dressing changes, drain removal, laceration repairs, and tracheostomy downsizing or removal)
discharge planning and throughput management, including coordination of Durable Medical Equipment (DME), home health services, discharge medications, and removal of barriers to safe discharge
collaborates with the Trauma Nurse Navigator to ensure appropriate follow-up care and supports departmental patient flow initiatives consistent with operational goals
reviewing critical labs and results
performing tertiary examinations and/or preparing progress notes for SICU downgrades
ensuring documentation meets regulatory, compliance, and billing standards
maintaining accurate and timely charting in the electronic medical record
provides multidisciplinary coordination, education, monitoring, and communication with patients and families