Sr. Physician Assistant - Cardiac Surgery - University of California, Irvine

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is recruiting an OPERATIVE and/or NON-OPERATIVE cardiothoracic surgery physician assistant (PA) to join its growing and innovative academic program. We currently perform all aspects of adult cardiothoracic surgery with emphasis on coronary, valvular, aortic, arrhythmia, LVAD and ECMO. There are active TAVR, Mitraclip as well as TEVAR programs with procedures performed using our two hybrid operating rooms. UCI Medical Center is the only academic cardiothoracic surgery center in Orange County. There is currently no cardiothoracic surgery resident/fellow training program and thus there will be significant interaction with and support from attending surgeons.
The Physician Assistant will report to and be managed by the chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery within the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Department of Surgery.

OPERATIVE
The successful candidate here will provide care in all aspects of the cardiothoracic surgery service, including operative care (endoscopic vein harvesting, surgical assist), outpatient clinic (especially postoperative follow-ups) and inpatient hospital care (CVICU/telemetry, floor, discharge). There will be additional support from general surgery residents and additional APPs.

NON-OPERATIVE
The successful candidate here will provide care in all NON-OPERATIVE aspects of the cardiothoracic surgery service, including outpatient clinic (especially postoperative follow-ups) and inpatient hospital care (CVICU/telemetry, floor, discharge). There will be additional support from general surgery residents and additional APPs.

These positions will provide secondary, and in some cases tertiary care within the scope of practice, licensure and organizational policies. Participates with inpatient rounds, writes progress notes, conducts patient education, writes prescriptions, and prepares discharge summaries. Incumbent will identify and treat patient’s diseases and manage treatment of hospitalized patients.

This position may perform:

• Functions as appropriate to their “scope of practice” (In general, the “scope of practice” includes the management of chronic stable medical conditions, routine care, acute or critical care, and medical and surgical procedures per their approved standardized procedure).Familiarity with state statute for their licenses is necessary.
• Approved privileges are unique to each person and are unlikely to include ALL privileges
• The NP professional may provide patient care in age groups based on educational preparation and at all Health licensed settings and affiliates.
• The NP has responsibility for the standards of care for their specified patient population and evidences self-direction and accountability both to quality of care and in the development of their role within the all Health locations and affiliates.
• Advanced Practice Practitioners (APP) are required to be credentialed to practice and be privileged through Medical Staff to function in their clinical role.Credentialing and approval of privileges must be completed prior to the first working day.
• The NP is accountable to, evaluated, and provided feedback by the supervising/collaborating physician, physician designee(s) in the same clinical specialty, or the Administrative Manager.
• Skilled 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.
• 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. 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. Required

• OPERATIVE Willingness to contribute to quality improvement projects and initiatives as well as research, education and training when appropriate. Familiar with EPIC Electronic Medical Record. NON-OPERATIVE Previous experience in the management of cardiothoracic surgical patients is preferred, but high-quality candidates without such experience will be considered. Willingness to contribute to quality improvement projects and initiatives as well as research, education and training when appropriate. Familiar with EPIC Electronic Medical Record.   Preferred

Required:

• Successful completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program.
• Educational training and/or experience to support setting and patient population.
• Graduate from an ARC-PA accredited physician assistant program.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain UCIMC Allied Health Professional Privileges prior to hire.
• Current, active, unrestricted Furnishing license and DEA registration.
• NCCPA certified at time of hire and maintained throughout career at UCI.
• Must be a current, active, and unrestricted licensed Physician Assistant in the State of California. Practice agreements completed and on file in Department.
• 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.
• 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.
• 1-3 years Minimum of one year of previous experience in cardiothoracic surgery with independent competency in endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH).

Total Compensation

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California, Irvine 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.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.