Physician Assistant Trauma

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Physician Assistant, you will be responsible for performing patient evaluations, reviewing pretreatment teaching, recommending therapeutic interventions, counseling patients and families, and collaborating with appropriate physicians to provide other appropriate direct care interventions within the scope of practice for physician's assistants.

Every day, you will serve as the primary point of contact and assume responsibilities for managing the care for patients. This involves meticulous assessment, empathetic communication, and seamless collaboration with physicians and other care providers to ensure comprehensive, high-quality, and patient-centered care within your specialized area.

To be successful in your role, you will strategically manage comprehensive patient care, performing evaluations, recommending therapeutic interventions, and counseling patients and families within your specialized area. You will demonstrate exceptional clinical proficiency in providing direct care, act as the primary point of contact for patient management, and collaborate effectively with physicians to ensure optimal outcomes, all within the defined scope of practice for physician's assistants.

• Patient Care Services
• Gathers complete history of patients and perform complete physical examinations or focused physical examinations for specific complaints. Completes discharge summaries and maintains documentation on patient visits.
• Conducts daily patient rounds and sees patients in outpatient clinic, as needed.
• Recognizes and evaluates situations which require immediate attention of supervising physician and which require treatment procedures essential for life of patients; responds in appropriate manner.
• Prescribes and dispenses drugs and medical devices in accordance with regulations established by the Arizona Joint Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery.

The Trauma/Acute Care Surgery and Orthopedic Physicians Assistant is responsible for providing care to and coordinating the care of the Trauma, Acute Care Surgery, and Orthopedic Patients at CHMC and assuring they receive optimal care throughout their hospitalization. The primary goal of the Trauma/Acute Care Surgery and Orthopedic Physicians Assistant is to assure trauma patients receive quality care: directly in the role of expert clinician and indirectly in the roles of consultant, change agent, educator and quality improvement agent. The Trauma/Acute Care Surgery and Orthopedic Physicians Assistant collaborates closely with the Medical Staff, Nursing Staff, ancillary personnel, patients and their families to facilitate the ongoing development of the interdisciplinary team approach to the care of the patient. The Trauma/Acute Care Surgery and Orthopedic Physicians Assistant reports directly to the Trauma Program Director, with a reporting link to the Trauma Medical Director. Trauma/Acute Care Surgery and Orthopedic Physicians Assistants provide input in the development of standardized procedures and protocols and assists the Trauma Program Director to meet departmental goals and objectives.

Job Requirements

• Minimum 2 years in acute setting working with trauma, orthopedic and ICU patients.
• Surgical and Trauma training.
• First assist, H&P, assessment of the trauma patients.
• Current PA licenses, ACLS, PALS, BLS are required.
• Auditing ATLS skills desirable.

Where You'll Work

Founded in 1887, Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center is a 318-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in downtown Los Angeles, California. Serving over 100,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level II Trauma Center, Level III NICU, heart care, women's health, and a family birth center. In 2025, we opened our new patient tower, Grand Tower, featuring a dramatically expanded Emergency Department and Family Birth Center that will increase patient comfort and privacy.

Additionally, California Hospital Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and recently was awarded the AMA/ASA's Get the Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement, recognizing the hospital's commitment to providing the best stroke care.

California Hospital Medical Center shares a legacy of humankindness with Dignity Health and CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation's largest health care systems, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care.