UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 7/21/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.
Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.
Under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Surgery or designated attending, the Physician Assistant functions as a provider of patient care in the fields of trauma, general surgery, and burn. Provides full clinical support in the management of inpatient services. Develops and provides education to students, medical students, interns, residents, and fellows. Functions as liaison to counselors, social workers, research nurses, and other clinic support staff. Develops and implements policies and procedures related to the management of surgical patients.
The Physician Assistant (PA) will function as a provider of patient care in the fields of trauma, general surgery, burn surgery, and vascular surgery. The goal is to:
Provide comprehensive clinical support in management of inpatients, trauma resuscitation and consultations.
Plan, implement and evaluate health care treatments for critically ill and injured patients.
Develop and provide patient education.
Participates in quality assurance programs.
While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.
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 and ACLS certifications at time of hire with commitment to get ART within six months of hire date.
Minimum one (1) year of recent work experience as a licensed Physician Assistant treating and evaluating surgery patients. Experience in trauma highly preferred.
Theoretical background in: anatomy, physiology, general medicine, pulmonary, emergency and critical care medicine, management of common diseases, concepts of medicine and surgery, therapeutics including pharmacology, counseling techniques and interpersonal dynamics.
Ability to perform initial history, and physical examination, identify major medical problems, and formulate appropriate plans of action.
Knowledge of operating room standards and techniques.
Skill to operate appropriate medical equipment, i.e., Swan-Ganz catheters, central venous pressure monitors, electrocardiograph machines, cardiac defibrillator, transducer systems, digital read-out equipment, and medical computer systems.
Knowledge of all types of treatment and modalities necessary for the patients care and well-being and the skill in recording nursing/medical assessment findings accurately and completely.
Knowledge necessary for instructing housestaff, medical students, physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel in all aspects of surgical care.
Ability to serve a large volume of patients rapidly and effectively on a walk-in or appointment basis, within set time limits.
Ability to be trained in the use of specialized medical equipment.
Ability to maintain detailed medical information in an organized and easily retrievable manner.
Writing skills to prepare clear medical reports, laboratory data and progress notes, as well as policies, procedures and protocols for patient care management.
Ability to properly counsel patients and families, particularly in delicate or death and dying situations.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and other health care personnel.
Ability to maintain good working relationships and communications with physicians in-charge, laboratory personnel, and members of the health care team.
Ability to write orders regarding execution of inpatient, outpatient plans of treatment.
Ability to assess the daily status and progress of patients and report this effectively to the physician in-charge and other medical care personnel associated with the patient.
Skill at providing clear written, verbal and telephone communication with a wide variety of people.
Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification.
Recent experience as an independent provider.
Recent acute care trauma experience.
Knowledge of clinical and ancillary services within the UCSD Medical Center.
-
Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, on-call and locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center's 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.
Pay Transparency Act
Annual Full Pay Range: $170,652 - $224,815 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: $81.73 - $107.67
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
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 Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational — or "bench-to-bedside" — research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. 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.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
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.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
-
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
-
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
