Physician Assistant - PA-C - Interventional Radiology

Job Title: Interventional Radiology Advanced Practice Provider (PA/NP)

Department: Interventional Radiology

Location: California – Hospital-Based Practice

Reports To: Medical Director, Interventional Radiology / Department Chair

Job Summary

The Interventional Radiology Advanced Practice Provider (APP) delivers high-quality, evidence-based patient care within a multidisciplinary hospital setting, performing advanced clinical procedures under defined medical staff privileges. The APP works collaboratively with attending physicians, radiologists, nursing staff, anesthesia, and allied health teams to support inpatient and outpatient interventional services.

The APP is responsible for patient evaluation, procedural support, follow-up care, line and access management, pain management interventions, and procedural documentation, ensuring compliance with hospital policy and California State practice regulations.

Scope of Responsibilities

Clinical Practice and Patient Care

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments including history, physical exam, and review of diagnostic studies relevant to procedural planning.
• Formulate and implement treatment and procedural plans under supervising physician privileges.
• Provide continuity of care for IR patients across the continuum: pre-procedure, intra-procedure, and post-procedure phases.
• Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests and imaging studies per scope of practice.
• Prescribe medications, including controlled substances, in compliance with California State law and facility protocols.

Procedural Responsibilities

APPs with granted medical staff privileges will be expected to perform and assist with the following procedures using aseptic technique and image guidance as appropriate:

Line, Catheter & Access Management

• Insert, manage, troubleshoot, and remove peripheral and central vascular access devices:
• PICC lines
• Temporary dialysis catheters
• Tunneled central venous catheters
• Catheter exchanges and hub repairs
• Central line repair and dressing changes
• Perform catheter maintenance protocols and line access procedures.

Drainage & Access Procedures

• Assist or perform:
• Percutaneous drainage catheter placements
• Image-guided G-tube placements
• Nephrostomy tube management
• Nephrostogram interpretation and performance
• Paracentesis
• Thoracentesis
• IR drain removal

Image-Guided & Hospital Procedures

• Basic image-guided interventions per privilege:
• Fluoroscopic-guided biopsies
• Ultrasound-guided procedures
• CT-guided procedures as trained and privileged
• Support diagnostic imaging needs related to procedural care.

Pain Management Procedures

• Perform image-guided pain management injections within the defined privilege set, including:
• Joint/bursa injections
• Nerve blocks (as credentialed)
• Select chronic pain interventions per hospital policy

Shunt & Port Management

• Assist with or perform:
• Port access and deaccessing
• Flushing, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Shunt evaluations and basic interventions within scope

Intra-Procedural Support

• Provide procedural monitoring, sedation support per guidelines, and immediate patient care.
• Maintain procedural documentation in compliance with hospital and regulatory standards.

Coordination & Communication

• Facilitate multidisciplinary coordination with Surgery, Critical Care, Oncology, Nephrology, Hospitalists, and Emergency Medicine.
• Participate in daily rounds, procedural planning conferences, and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Provide patient and family education regarding procedures, risks, benefits, and after-care.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete accurate, timely procedure notes, consult notes, and discharge summaries.
• Ensure compliance with medical records, coding, charge capture, and billing requirements.
• Adhere to institutional policies, quality improvement standards, and regulatory requirements.

Salary range:

Exempt Position – Salary range: $115,000 - $188,323

Required Licenses & Certifications

Mandatory

• Active California State Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant license in good standing.
• National certification (e.g., NCCPA for PAs, AANP/ANCC for NPs).
• DEA certificate (California) for controlled substances prescribing authority.
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

Preferred / Encouraged

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – if pediatric IR exposure expected.
• Advanced procedures certification (e.g., vascular access courses, image guidance training modules).
• NRP if working with perinatal/pediatric populations.

Training Requirements

Orientation & Initial Training

• Thorough orientation to hospital systems, IR suite workflow, patient safety protocols, and electronic health records.
• Supervised procedural onboarding with credentialed IR attendings.
• Completion of competency checklists for each procedure prior to independent performance.

Ongoing Education

• Attend IR procedural training workshops, image guidance safety courses, and continuing medical education (CME) relevant to practice.
• Participate in morbidity and mortality (M&M) reviews, quality improvement initiatives, and case reviews.

Competency & Privileging

• Demonstrate and maintain procedural competency through documented cases and evaluations.
• Annual review of clinical performance and procedural privileges per hospital credentialing committee.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong clinical and procedural decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT interpretation as related to interventions.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and patient education capabilities.
• Ability to coordinate complex care across services and adapt in emergent situations.

Working Conditions

• Hospital environment with exposure to infectious diseases, radiation, bodily fluids, and stressful procedural conditions.
• Required to wear appropriate PPE and follow radiation safety protocols.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods during procedures.
• Manual dexterity for fine procedures under imaging guidance.

Performance Expectations

• Deliver safe, efficient, high-quality patient care.
• Maintain professional standards and participate in departmental goals.
• Actively contribute to a culture of safety, patient satisfaction, and evidence-based practice.