PA Physician Assistant - Trauma - Per Diem

#138070 (PA) Physician Assistant - Trauma - Per Diem Filing Deadline:
Fri 1/23/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

The Department of Surgery is one of the largest departments in the School of Medicine and is comprised of 103 faculty members, 18 physicians employed on MSP agreements, 31 doctors employed by the VA or other facilities, 104 accredited and non-accredited trainees and 161 career staff. Activities are organized in 7 subspecialty divisions. Department activities span 5 major institutions including three medical centers and cover all aspects of the teaching, research, clinical and service missions of the University.

Annual expenditures total over $58M, including $5M in federal and private sponsored awards. The department generates net collections of $26M and is a significant revenue generator for the Medical Center.

The Physician Assistant (PA) functions as provider of patient care in the fields of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and General Surgery. Provide clinical support in management of inpatients and outpatients. Plan, implement and evaluate health care treatments for critically ill and injured patients. Assist in General Surgery and Trauma Clinics. May assume such other duties for other trauma/critical care as assigned by Trauma Director.

Develop and provide patient education. Participate in research and/or quality assurance studies. Function as liaison with trauma coordinator, financial counselors, social workers, and research nurses. The position requires special skills and knowledge in the fields of trauma, critical care, and general surgery.

• Current State of California Physician Assistant (PA) license.
• Current Physician Assistant Certification from NCCPA.
• BLS/CPR certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within 6 months of hire date.
• A minimum of one (1) year of Physician Assistant experience in trauma, ED, acute care surgery, or surgical critical care.
• 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.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology.
• Knowledge of medical ethics and law practices, pertaining to medical and medical socioeconomics.
• 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.
• Ability to serve a large volume of patients rapidly and effectively on a walk‑in or appointment basis, within set time limits.
• Skill in recording nursing/medical assessment findings accurately and completely.
• Skill at providing clear written, verbal and telephone communication with a wide variety of people.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data in a meaningful manner.
• Ability to be trained in the use of specialized medical equipment.
• 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.
• Ability to maintain detailed medical information in an organized and easily retrievable manner. Knowledge of all types of treatment and modalities necessary for the patients care and well‑being.
• Skill to communicate in a helpful, nonjudgmental, effective and informative manner, in person or by telephone. Excellent interpersonal skills, tact, diplomacy, in order to interact…