Trauma & Surgical ICU Nocturnist Physician Assistant; PA)

Position Overview:

The Trauma & Surgical ICU Nocturnist Physician Assistant (PA) delivers advanced, evidence-based care to critically ill and injured patients during consistent night shifts at The Metro Health System's Level I Adult Trauma Center.

Working collaboratively with Trauma/Critical Care attending physicians, surgical residents, nursing, and other members of the multidisciplinary team, the PA provides overnight management of critically ill surgical patients, responds to changes in clinical condition, performs bedside procedures, and supports the ongoing care of patients within the Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

This position is designed for an PA interested in a dedicated nocturnist role and requires strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, procedural, communication, and decision‑making skills. The APP should have a thorough understanding of trauma and surgical critical care, including the assessment, diagnosis, stabilization, and management of acute and critically ill patients.

• Provide overnight management of critically ill patients in the Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care Unit.
• Collaborate with Trauma/Critical Care attending physicians, surgical residents, APPs, nursing, and multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized plans of care.
• Evaluate new and evolving clinical concerns and respond to acute changes in patient condition throughout the night.
• Collect and interpret clinical data, including laboratory results, imaging, hemodynamic information, and other diagnostic studies, to develop and document assessments and treatment plans.
• Manage complex postoperative, critically ill, and medically fragile patients across surgical specialties, including trauma, emergency general surgery, transplant, vascular, and general surgery.
• Perform bedside procedures within the PA's scope of practice and clinical privileges, including central venous catheter placement, arterial line placement, chest tube placement and management, and other critical care procedures.
• Participate in ventilator management, hemodynamic management, resuscitation, and stabilization of critically ill patients.
• Respond to clinical emergencies and participate in resuscitation of deteriorating or unstable patients.
• Communicate significant changes in patient condition and elevate clinical concerns appropriately to the Trauma/Critical Care attending physician and surgical team.
• Provide effective handoff and continuity of care between the overnight and daytime teams.
• Complete timely, accurate documentation and ensure established care plans are effectively implemented.
• Collaborate with nursing, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, and other multidisciplinary team members to provide comprehensive overnight critical care.
• Promote patient and family education, advocacy, safety, and high-quality patient-centered care.
• Uphold the mission, vision, values, and customer service standards of The Metro Health System.

• Graduate of an accredited master's degree program for:
  • Physician Assistant (PA)
• National certification through NCCPA
• Licensure:
  • PA:
    License through the State Medical Board of Ohio.
• Eligibility for federal DEA registration.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or obtained within 90 days of hire.
• Advance Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification obtained within 180 days of hire.
• Additional advanced life support certifications (as applicable to practice area) obtained within 180 days of hire.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques and aseptic practices.
• Meet requirements for clinical privileges in the specialty/department with The Metro Health System and apply for privileges at the time of hire.
• Maintain a standard care arrangement or supervision agreement as required by Ohio law.

• One or more years of Physician Assistant experience.
• Previous experience in surgical critical care, trauma surgery, emergency general surgery, or another high-acuity inpatient setting.
• Experience independently evaluating and managing acutely deteriorating or critically ill patients.
• Proficiency in critical care procedures, including central and arterial line placement, chest tube placement and management, and other bedside procedures.
• Experience with ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and management of complex critically ill patients.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication skills, and comfort…