DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, the Physician Assistant (PA) is responsible for providing pre- and post-transplant patient care in the Heart Transplant Program. Provides clinical assistance and support in treating and managing inpatients and outpatients and acts as key member of the multidisciplinary transplant team. Evaluates patients pre and post-transplant, primarily in the outpatient setting, including history and physical, patient preparation, procedures and management. Solves complex clinical problems and communicates directly with the attending physician, fellows and residents.

The PA is a consultant and liaison for patients and their families with attending physicians, house staff, social service staff, financial and administrative staff, inpatient nursing and community organizations. Provides teaching to patients, staff, and community organizations. Designated expert resource person on the basis of advanced clinical expertise in patient care for lung transplant patients. Assigned more complex cases requiring the use of advanced skills and typically works with greater independence.

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 certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six months of hire date.

• A minimum of two (2) years recent experience (within the past 2 years) working in an outpatient cardiology clinic or in a dedicated inpatient cardiology unit as Physician Assistant caring for heart transplant patients or candidates.

• Demonstrates motivation in working with heart transplant patient population.

• Demonstrated knowledge of ability to appropriately triage patient calls.

• Strong clinical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage multiple levels of information and responsibilities, and to quickly assess complex problems and develop potential solutions.

• Must be able to function in a fast-paced environment, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and consistently demonstrated empathy and kindness to all staff and patients.

• Demonstrates critical thinking and clinical skills to identify and implement nursing interventions and evaluate results.

• Must have excellent skills to communicate and influence effectively with all levels of staff, physicians, patients and external constituents both verbally and in written form.

• Ability to work cohesively on a multidisciplinary team.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Three (3) years or more of working PA experience.

• VAD, cardiology, heart transplant work experience.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on 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.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

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UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20 For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.