(PA) Sr. Physician Assistant -Abdominal Transplant
The University of California, San Diego
About this position
Position Description
Under the direction of Transplant Surgery, the Sr. Physician Assistant provides comprehensive inpatient medical management for liver and kidney transplant recipients, with primary responsibility for care during the early post-operative, long-term, and complex post-transplant phases. This role requires advanced clinical judgment to independently assess, diagnose, and manage high-acuity transplant patients, including interpreting transplant-specific laboratory data and diagnostic studies, and managing immunosuppression and transplant-related complications. The Sr. Physician Assistant evaluates patients for escalation of care, performs procedures as credentialed, provides consultative services, and ensures accurate, timely documentation in the medical record. The UC San Diego Center for Transplantation is a nationally recognized, regionally leading academic center that provides comprehensive transplant care in heart, lung, kidney, liver, and multi-organ transplants. The Inpatient Abdominal Transplant Nurse Practitioner/ Physician Assistant works in close collaboration with transplant surgeons, transplant hepatologists and nephrologists, and the multidisciplinary transplant team to ensure continuity and consistency of care across the inpatient setting. Responsibilities include presenting patients during daily rounds and transplant clinical meetings, coordinating care across disciplines, and serving as a leader and clinical liaison to promote standardized medical and surgical management throughout the transplant program. As a key member of the team, they assist in resolving complex clinical issues and communicate directly with surgeons, attending physicians and other multidisciplinary team members. In addition, the PA provides education to transplant patients and families regarding post-transplant care, medication management, discharge planning, follow-up care, rejection risk, and recovery expectations, and serves as a clinical resource for inpatient nursing staff caring for transplant populations. The role includes participation in quality improvement initiatives, policy development, evidence-based practice, and professional activities, with evolving responsibilities as patient, system, and program needs change. While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.
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/CPR certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six months of hire date. Minimum one (1) year of experience as a licensed Physician Assistant (PA)in transplant surgery, transplant nephrology, transplant hepatology, solid organ transplant, or adult critical care. Advanced clinical knowledge of solid organ transplant care, including post-operative management, immunosuppression protocols, transplant-related complications and rejection, and expected recipient outcomes. Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, high-acuity transplant patients in a fast-paced inpatient setting, with evidence-based, sound clinical judgment and appropriate escalation of care. Proven expertise in rapid patient assessment, stabilization, and escalation of care in fast-paced, high-acuity clinical environments. Strong understanding of transplant-specific pathophysiology, laboratory interpretation (normal and abnormal values), and medication management for transplant populations. Serve as a liaison between patients, families and the transplant multidisciplinary team. Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess complex patient situations, prioritize competing responsibilities, and implement timely, appropriate interventions or escalate when needed. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with surgeons, physicians, multidisciplinary team members, patients, and external stakeholders at all levels. Builds collaborative relationships grounded in professionalism, kindness, and a shared commitment to high-quality patient care. Demonstrates the ability to effectively prioritize and manage competing demands, ensuring urgent patient and program needs are addressed promptly and efficiently. Demonstrates the ability to adapt to fast-paced environment, frequent workflow changes, managing stress, and maintaining professionalism. Maintains a positive, solution-oriented approach to challenges, encourages teamwork and open communication, and remains receptive to feedback to support individuals and program growth. Ability to at all times adhere to UCSD Health Medical Center (C.A.R.I.N.G.) Standards of Performance, and demonstrate the characteristics of professionalism in attire, attitude, conversation, behavior and attentiveness to others.