Sutter Health·Santa Clara, California
Assesses, diagnoses, and implements medical care for patients in collaboration with a physician across office, hospital, and perioperative settings. Performs surgical first/second assistant duties, including tissue handling, suturing, and wound exposure.
We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!
Assesses, diagnoses, plans and implements the medical care of patients in collaboration with a physician.
Functions within the full scope of licensure; accountable for the assessment, coordination delivery and evaluation of care, including direct patient care, patient/family education and transitions of care.
Provides medical consultation including the performance of therapeutic procedures delegated by the supervising physician, assist with various procedures, provides patient education, treatment and follow-up, may complete daily rounds and as needed using an organized multi-disciplinary team approach to provide continuity of care throughout the care continuum.
The Physician Assistant's responsibilities may include managing patients in an office, hospital, emergency and/or perioperative setting.
Follows ambulatory care and inpatient standardized procedures, protocols, policy and procedures regulated by the State of California Physician Assistant Practice Act.
These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).
obtaining basic medical information and history, reviewing patient's medical record, performing physical exam, documenting findings into patient medical record, and reporting deviations from normal findings to attending physician.
Provides health care services to patients under the direction and responsibility of physician.
Examines patient, performs comprehensive physical examination, and compiles patient medical data, including health history and results of physical examination.
Administers or orders diagnostic tests, and interprets test results for deviations from normal.
Develops and implements patient management plans, records progress notes, and assists in provision of continuity of care.
Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
Performs procedures and managing infection.
Administrative responsabilities
Communicates orally and in writing with patients, physicians and staff as indicated.
Provides health education and counseling to patients.
Accurately documents patient encounter data.
Provides relevant quality assessment and reports.
Establishes and maintains effective and seamless communication between the practice and patients’ medical providers in order to provide continuity of care.
Serves as coordinator for patients to access community and other resources necessary for appropriate management of medical and psychosocial factors.
Performance and process improvement
Identifies, reports and contributes to performance improvement activities
Seeks process improvements consistent with organizational priorities and goals
Contributes to the development of clinical pathways, updating/maintaining physician order sets and physician preference cards
Collects and tracks targeted performance improvement data for projects
Assists with clinical effectiveness studies and projects SPECIALITY SPECIFIC DUTIES
Perioperative:
Performs first/second assistant responsibilities in accordance with state scope of practice requirements.
Demonstrated knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique relative to operative procedures wherein the PA assists.
Provides care for different types of patients with varying complexity.
Assists in the positioning, skin preparation, and draping of the patient.
Provides hemostasis and wound exposure, handles tissue appropriately to reduce the potential for injury, sutures tissue, and applies dressings to the wound under the direction of the surgeon.
Uses surgical instruments skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose.
2 years of recent relevant experience.
Demonstrates knowledge of patient care guidelines/policy as evidenced by quality of documentation.
Medical knowledge and skills applicable to perform within the scope of practice.
Thorough knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology.
Working knowledge of electronic health records such as EPIC.
Critical thinking skills as it relates to specialized departments this may include the ability to complete age-appropriate assessments
Communication skills (verbal, written and listening) with ability to work effectively across the organization, especially in situations requiring instructing, persuading, negotiating, consulting and advising.
Technical and analytical skills for analysis and interpretation of test procedures and results in order to determine appropriate correction actions
Interpersonal skills with the ability to work with and collaborate across the organization and with patients and their families as needed
Ability to effectively lead, mentor and/or develop others
Ability to maintain composure during challenging interpersonal interactions
Monday - Friday
Weekly Hours: 40
Employees of Sutter Health and its entities may handle hazardous drugs in the course of their work, including patient care, which requires them to manage, store, prepare, receive, unpack, transport, dispose of, or administer drugs identified as hazardous or potentially hazardous by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and in accordance with the USP 800 guidelines.
Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Pay Range is $204,630.40 to $296,691.20 / annual salary
The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.
Market context
In California, physician openings are typically driven by ongoing demand across large health systems, outpatient groups, and specialty practices, with competition shaped by board eligibility, licensure, and specialty fit. For this role category, candidates are often compared on clinical experience, communication skills, and readiness to work within team-based care. The job requirements and benefits on this platform are AI-summarized from the original job description, saving candidates research time. Review the CPT and BLS requirements carefully and confirm your experience aligns with the listed laboratory and acute-care expectations before applying.