Physician Assistant - Dept of Surgery - Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery

The Physician Assistant in the Department of Surgery functions as an independent healthcare provider who, working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary health team, is responsible for providing comprehensive care to patients with Surgical and Oncologic and Endocrine disorders. This position demonstrates a high degree of clinical expertise in caring for patients with Surgical Oncologic conditions (such as as pancreatic, gastric, colon and liver cancers; neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas and small intestine; melanoma and sarcoma) and Endocrine disorders (benign and malignant thyroid disease, hyperparathyroidism, and adrenal tumors). Responsible for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management, education, health promotion, care coordination, and care transitions for patients and families in the defined populations. Demonstrates an advanced level of clinical knowledge, communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, professionalism, and systems-based practice. Works within an interdisciplinary team including administration, nursing, physician, and university faculty to assure safe, effective, quality patient care and to promote Iowa Healthcare's educational and research missions. Provides care within the scope of practice as outlined by state law, licensing, regulations, institutional policy, and practice agreements. If selected, this position may begin practice after credentialing and privileging process has been completed by the University of Iowa Health Care Clinical Staff office. Active hospital privileges will be required and reviewed on a semi-annual basis to maintain employment within the Department.

ROLE EXPECTATIONS:
*Patient Care:
Practitioners are expected to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease, and care at the end of life.
• Provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and treatment of disease.
• Develop and implement outpatient treatment plan with the multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to write history and physical and interval notes in an accurate and concise manner with documentation for appropriate billing.
• Procedures in accordance with privileging process will be dictated by clinical practice.
• Education of patient and family, resident and medical students, nursing staff regarding treatment plan.
• Evaluate and develop a treatment plan within a multidisciplinary team for patients with Surgical Oncologic and Endocrine disorders, as well as manage acute and chronic diagnoses with and independent of staff physicians.

*Medical/Clinical Knowledge:
Practitioners are expected to demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical and social sciences, and the application of their knowledge to patient care and the education of others.
• Perform a comprehensive history and physical at appropriate billing level.
• Evaluate and interpret pertinent lab and imaging studies.
• Possess working knowledge of appropriate pharmacology, antibiotic stewardship, and narcotic prescriptive practices.
• Participate and meet or exceed metrics for OPPE as set forth by UI Health Care's Chief Medical Officer and Department of Surgery.

*Practice-based Learning and Improvement:
Practitioners are expected to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of health care teams.
• Participation in Quality Assurance and research endeavors.
• Development and implementation of clinical guideline protocols and educational materials.
• Participation in educational and multidisciplinary rounds and conferences.

*Interprofessional and Communication Skills:
Practitioners are expected to demonstrate skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of healthcare teams.
• Demonstrate respect when communicating with staff, patients, family, and visitors.

*Professionalism:
Practitioners are expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and a responsible attitude toward their patients, their profession, and society.
• Support the vision, mission, and core values of Iowa Healthcare.
• Comply with the Code of Ethical Behavior, organizational and Departmental policies.
• Comply with Departmental guidelines for hours of work.
• Meet national and state Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant continuing education requirements.

*Systems-based Practice:
Practitioners are expected to demonstrate both an understanding of the contexts and systems in which health care is provided, and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve and optimize health care.
Demonstrate an understanding of the contexts and systems in which health care is provided, and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve and optimize health care.

Percent of Time: 100%

Schedule: 40 hours per week. A 30 minute lunch will be included. Hours may vary based on the operational needs of the Department.

Location: UI Health Care Medical Center University Campus

Pay Grade: 11

Benefit Highlights:

• Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa.
• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life, and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. For more information on benefits, please visit:

Required Qualifications:

• Must comply with registration and licensure requirements as specified by the Iowa Board of Physician Assistant Examiners which include graduation from an accredited PA educational program and certification by the NCCPA.
• Active Iowa Physician Assistant license.
• Active DEA license or ability to apply for such license prior to or upon hire.
• Active ACLS certification.

Desired Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of physical assessment, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology, pharmacology, management of patients with Surgical Oncologic and Endocrine disorders.
• Ability to function with a high degree of independence in a collaborative and multidisciplinary team providing care for highly complex patients.
• Possess the requisite knowledge and clinical skills to provide care to the adult and geriatric population.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize workflow.
• Ability and willingness to learn and assist with patients with benign and oncologic thyroid disease.
• Experience with data and quality management projects.
• Two years of experience in Surgery, Endocrinology, or Oncology preferred.

Application Process: In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.


Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. For additional questions, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io

The Department intends to hire one candidate from either the ARNP (Req # 26001976) or Physician Assistant (Req # 26001975) posting based on the qualifications of the successful candidate.