(PA)Sr. Physician Assistant, Advanced GI/Endoscopy - 141521

The Division of Gastroenterology within the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego is committed to advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive and liver diseases through innovative clinical care, cutting-edge research, education, and multidisciplinary collaboration. The Division supports a broad range of clinical and translational research aimed at improving patient outcomes, developing new approaches to disease management, and translating scientific discoveries into meaningful improvements in patient care.

In addition to its research mission, the Division is dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarly investigation, professional development, and the education and training of physicians, advanced practice providers, fellows, residents, students, and other healthcare professionals. Through collaboration across clinical, research, and academic programs, the Division promotes leadership, innovation, quality improvement, and service while preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and leaders in Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Under general supervision, the Advanced Gastroenterology Senior Physician Assistant (NP) provides comprehensive care to patients with complex Advanced Gastroenterology (GI) and Advanced Endoscopy conditions within a fast-paced ambulatory specialty practice.

The Senior PA provides independent clinical assessment and management of new and established patients, including patients seen through the Expedited Consultative Clinic (ECC), formal Advanced GI consultations, urgent visits, and post-procedure follow-up.

The Senior PA performs comprehensive histories and physical examinations; orders, reviews, and interprets diagnostic testing; develops and implements individualized plans of care; provides patient education and counseling; and coordinates diagnostic, procedural, and specialty follow-up.

The Senior PA works collaboratively with Advanced GI/Advanced Endoscopy physicians, APPs, nursing staff, and multidisciplinary teams to facilitate timely evaluation and treatment of patients with complex gastrointestinal conditions.

A primary responsibility of this position will be caring for Advanced GI patients, with an emphasis on new patient consultations generated from internal and external referral populations. The Senior PA will participate in the clinical review and triage of Advanced GI referrals and facilitate appropriate diagnostic evaluation, procedural planning, and follow-up.

The Advanced GI patient population may include patients with:

* Pancreatic and biliary disorders

* Pancreatic cysts and lesions

* Biliary obstruction and strictures

* Complex gastrointestinal lesions

* Complex polyps requiring advanced endoscopic management

* Abnormal gastrointestinal imaging or diagnostic findings

* Conditions requiring Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

* Conditions requiring Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

* Advanced polypectomy and endoscopic resection

* Other complex diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures

* Urgent post-procedure concerns and complications

The Senior PA is expected to independently assess patients, initiate appropriate diagnostic evaluation, formulate plans of care, coordinate procedures and follow-up, and recognize conditions requiring physician consultation or escalation.

Expedited Consultative Clinic (ECC)

A significant component of this position will be providing care through the Expedited Consultative Clinic (ECC), a rapid-access ambulatory model designed to provide timely specialty evaluation, improve access to GI care, reduce referral backlogs, and decrease patient wait times.

The Senior PA will independently evaluate patients referred for expedited consultation, initiate appropriate diagnostic workups, formulate treatment plans, and facilitate timely transition to the appropriate Advanced GI, procedural, or specialty care pathway.

The Senior PA may provide both ECC consultations and formal new-patient Advanced GI consultations and may assist with additional GI ECC coverage based on operational and patient access needs.

Additional responsibilities include Advanced GI referral review and triage, diagnostic results and follow-up, Epic In Basket and MyChart communications, telephone encounters, patient education and counseling, procedural planning, care coordination, and telehealth visits.

The Senior PA will not routinely provide inpatient care but may assist with physician orders, transitions of care, and clinical coordination when appropriate.

The Senior PA is expected to exercise independent clinical judgment within an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to patient care. The major emphasis of this position is ongoing direct patient care delivery to patients presenting with chronic, episodic, urgent, and complex Advanced GI conditions.

Other duties may be assigned based on clinical, operational, and patient access needs.

The Senior Physician Assistant (PA) will follow standardized advanced practice procedure guidelines to provide follow through with the care plan. Assess and provide medical care as appropriate for patient care populations based on competence, professional expertise, and knowledge. The Senior Physician Assistant is expected to practice consistent with Professional Standards of Practice. Collaborate judgment with off-site physician is expected to be exercised within the context of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.

Under general supervision, the Senior PA performs operational level duties as described in the UCSD Performance Policy. The major emphasis of this position is direct patient care delivery. Assignments at this level primarily encompass management of patients who present chronic and/or episodic health problems. Assignments at this level may include responsibility for occasional community teaching programs, participation in program planning and development of patient education information. May perform other related duties as assigned.

• 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 Physician Assistant experience.

• Current Physician Assistant Specialty Certification in an aligned specialty with the practice area preferred.

• Demonstrated clinical experience and knowledge of Advanced Gastroenterology and Advanced Endoscopy, including the ability to independently manage complex conditions like pancreaticobiliary disorders and biliary disease.

• Proven knowledge of common diagnostic tests, exams and procedures, e.g., laboratory blood tests, x-rays, EKG's, biopsies and GI endoscopies.

• Demonstrated knowledge and clinical experience caring for patients undergoing or being evaluated for ERCP, EUS, advanced polypectomy/endoscopic resection, and other advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to manage high referral volumes, multiple competing clinical priorities, and time-sensitive patient care needs while maintaining efficiency, accuracy, quality, and established turnaround expectations.

• Demonstrated ability to independently review and triage new, urgent, and complex Advanced GI referrals, determine appropriate diagnostic evaluation and level of urgency, and recognize when physician consultation or escalation is necessary.

• Proficiency in the clinical documentation of patient conditions and outcomes using electronic medical record systems; Epic experience preferred, including specific proficiency with In Basket, MyChart, results, orders, and referral management.

• Knowledge of clinical laboratory values and skill in identifying deviations.

• Skill in patient interviewing, obtaining a concise medical history and acquiring pertinent data.

• Experience providing care through telehealth, including video and telephone visits, with demonstrated ability to independently assess, triage, counsel, and manage patients in a virtual setting.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team to coordinate comprehensive care for complex patients and ensure seamless transitions between clinical and procedural settings.

• Demonstrated experience providing patient education and counseling and developing and implementing long and short range treatment plans.

• Proven ability to manage complex patient populations with multiple comorbidities in an outpatient setting.

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Minimum two (2) years experience.

• Knowledge of FDA and drug study requirements.

• Knowledge of FDA and drug study requirements.

• Experience as a Physician Assistant in an academic medical center or tertiary referral setting.

• Experience supporting initiatives focused on patient access, referral optimization, and reduction of specialty wait times.

• Demonstrated experience in research techniques, such as following a protocol and collecting data precisely.

• Demonstrated experience working in a clinical research environment, including the ability to identify potential clinical trial patients.

• Knowledge of study formats, with the ability to edit charts and resolve inconsistencies.

• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, 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.