Trauma Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant - South Dakota

Trauma Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant (NP/PA)

The Trauma Service Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant provides comprehensive clinical care to injured patients across the continuum of trauma services. Working collaboratively with trauma surgeons and the multidisciplinary trauma team, this role supports initial evaluation, inpatient management, postoperative care, and coordination of care to optimize patient outcomes in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluate and manage trauma patients from admission through discharge
• Perform initial trauma assessments, daily patient rounds, and ongoing clinical evaluations
• Develop and implement treatment plans in collaboration with trauma surgeons
• Manage acute medical and surgical issues related to traumatic injuries
• Assist with trauma resuscitation and emergency response activities as appropriate
• Perform procedures consistent with training and privileges, such as suturing, wound care, chest tube management, and line placement
• Manage postoperative and non-operative trauma patients, including pain control and complication monitoring
• Coordinate care with consulting services including orthopedics, neurosurgery, critical care, and rehabilitation
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, discharge planning, and care transitions
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, nursing staff, and consulting teams
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Participate in trauma program activities, quality improvement, morbidity and mortality review, and patient safety initiatives
• Comply with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program
• Current NP or PA certification and state licensure
• Eligibility for hospital credentialing and privileging
• DEA registration or eligibility
• Prior experience or training in trauma, acute care surgery, emergency medicine, or critical care preferred

Skills and Competencies

• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills in high-acuity settings
• Ability to manage complex, injured patients
• Knowledge of trauma protocols and emergency care principles
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and organizational skills
• Ability to function effectively in fast-paced, high-stress environments
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and patient safety

Work Environment

• Trauma bays, inpatient trauma units, operating rooms, intensive care units, and step-down units
• Schedule may include shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call coverage depending on service needs

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout clinical and emergency environments
• Manual dexterity for procedures and bedside clinical tasks
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient for patient monitoring and emergency response