Physician Assistant

Salary : $217,156.16 - $291,890.56 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time/Part-Time
Job Number: 25-S46-A
Department: Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVHC)
Opening Date: 04/14/2025
Closing Date: 4/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01

Description
Under supervision of a physician, in accordance with written policies and statutes, to perform diagnostic and therapeutic tasks in all primary care and specialty care settings.

Physician Assistants (PA's) within the Santa Clara County Healthcare System provide health care under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They are formally trained to examine patients, diagnose injuries and illnesses, and provide treatment. They practice in all settings and provide care to patients of all ages. Practice settings within our system include all Surgical Subspecialties, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Interventional Radiology, Ob/GYN, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Pain Management, Endocrinology, Urgent Care, Emergency, and Custody Medicine.

Only applicants who provide a copy of their Physician Assistant certification attached to their application will be accepted. All other applicants will be rejected.
Typical Tasks
The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Obtains complete histories and performs pertinent physical exams with identification of normal and abnormal findings on new and returning patients;

• Accurately compiles and records findings in the medical records;

• Performs, orders, and evaluates diagnostic studies, as indicated for evaluation of the patient;

• Interprets test results for deviation from normal;

• Diagnoses conditions and develops care management/treatment plans under appropriate supervision;

• Prescribes, orders, and/or administers medications in accordance with current hospital policies and procedures;

• Determines need for and orders ancillary and consultative services (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, radiology examinations, and nursing services);

• Performs designated procedures after demonstrated training and evaluation of current competency; may include but not limited to injections, immunizations, suturing, wound care, and infection management;

• Initiates and facilitates hospital admissions and discharges as directed by the supervising physician;

• Makes daily inpatient rounds as directed by the supervising physician;

• Assists supervising physician with enrollment, treatment, and care management of patients in Investigational Review Board (IRB) approved studies;

• After appropriate training, provides first and second assist during surgery or complicated procedures;

• Facilitates the coordination of necessary patient care, including ordering Durable Medical Equipment (DME), in home care, and community care;

• Participates in quality improvement initiatives, as assigned;

• Provides appropriate, effective patient counseling and education;

• Works with postgraduate trainees (e.g., Physician Assistant students, residents, fellows) and assists in their training and educational process;

• Obtains informed consent, as permitted by the informed consent policies and procedures, as indicated;

• Recognizes situations that call for immediate attention of a physician, and initiates lifesaving procedures, when necessary;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW)*, as required;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards
Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through graduation from a Physician Assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)

and

Possession of Board Certification from the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) as described in California Business and Professions Code. Division 2. Healing Arts (500 - 4999.129) (Division 2 enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 399.) CHAPTER 7.7. Physician Assistants (3500 - 3546), Medical Board of California. Physician Assistant Board, and National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants.
Special Requirements

• Current active, unrestricted Physician Assistant license in the State of California;

• Current active, registered U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number for prescribing controlled substances, upon appointment;

• Possess National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification, and maintain NCCPA certification during the course of employment in this classification;

• Basic Life Support (BLS), upon appointment;

• Some positions may require additional specialty certification (e.g., wound care) relevant to the position;

• Some positions may require Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), and/or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification based on the certification required for practice privileges relevant to the position and the individual PA's privilege set;

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization;

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of acute and primary care medicine and continuity of patient care;

• Diagnosis and treatment of common medical problems related to a clinical specialty area;

• Sciences basic to medicine (e.g., anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology);

• Laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of medicine as a Physician Assistant;

• Current trends and concepts in medicine as they relate to a Physician Assistant;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;

• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Evaluate and treat patients with acute and/or chronic complaints and health maintenance concerns;

• Recognize situations that require the immediate attention of a physician and initiate lifesaving procedures, when necessary;

• Adhere to all relevant regulatory, County, hospital, and clinical policies and procedures;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;

• Gather complete, detailed, and accurate medical histories;

• Record and present pertinent data in a meaningful manner;

• Perform routine laboratory and screening techniques;

• Perform designated routine therapeutic procedures;

• Recognize and evaluate situations that call for immediate attention of the physician;

• Instruct and counsel patients on matters pertaining to physical and mental health;

• Keep records;

• Work under emergency or stressful situations.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Name of employer
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Number of hours worked per week
e) Job duties performed A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Vague, incomplete, or non-responsive answers could result in no or low scores in a Competitive Rating process. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03

Have you graduated from a Physician Assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)

• Yes
• No

04

List the name/s, the level, and the location of the Physician Assistant program that you graduated from. If you have not graduated from one, type N/A.
05

Do you possess a Current active, unrestricted Physician Assistant license in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered yes, list your Physician Assistant license in the State of California and the expiration date. If you do not have one, type N/A.
07

Do you possess a current Board Certification from the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered yes, list your NCCPA certification name, the number, and the expiration date. If you do not have one, type N/A.
09

Do you possess a current active, registered U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number for prescribing controlled substances?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answered yes, list your DEA license number and the expiration date. If you do not have one, type N/A.
11

Some positions may require certification based on the certification required for practice privileges relevant to the position and the individual PA's privilege set. Select all of the certifications that you possess:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Other
• None

12

For each certification that you selected in the previous question, list your certification/s title, certification number, and the expiration date. If you do not have any, type N/A.
13

How many years of experience do you possess as an Advanced Practice Provider?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

14

Select all areas which you have experience as an Advanced Practice Provider:

• Adolescent Medicine
• Cardiology
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Colo-rectal Surgery
• Custody Health
• Dermatology
• Emergency Department
• Endocrinology including Diabetes
• Gastroenterology
• General Surgery or Trauma Surgery
• Geriatrics
• Hepatology
• Infectious Disease
• Interventional Radiology
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• OB/GYN
• Operating Room
• Orthopedics or Surgical
• Pain Management
• Pediatrics
• Rheumatology
• Trauma
• Urgent Care
• Vascular Surgery
• Wound Care
• Other
• None

15

For each area that you selected in Supplemental Question #14, describe your Advanced Practice Provider experience in detail. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
16

If you selected the area of "Surgery" in Supplemental Question #14, select all the surgical specialty area(s) which you have Advanced Practice Provider experience in. If no experience in the area of "Surgery", select N/A.

• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• ENT Surgery
• General Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• OB/GYN Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Urology Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• N/A

17

Do you have intraoperative experience?

• Yes
• No

18

If you answered yes, describe your intraoperative experience. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
19

Have you managed the care of post-surgical or trauma patients in an inpatient setting?

• Yes
• No

20

If you answered yes, describe your experience in managing the case of post-surgical or trauma patients. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
21

How many years of experience do you possess as a Physician Assistant practicing in inpatient and outpatient settings as well as in the operating room?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

22

Describe your Physician Assistant experience practicing in inpatient and outpatient settings as well as in the operating room. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
23

Have you completed an ARC-PA approved program that included training in the emergency department procedures for which privileges are sought, or can you demonstrate completion of an accredited emergency medicine PA residency program within the past 12 months?

• Yes
• No

24

How many years of experience do you possess practicing as a Physician Assistant in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

25

Describe your Physician Assistant experience practicing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
26

How many years of experience do you possess practicing as a Physician Assistant in Trauma settings?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

27

Describe your Physician Assistant experience practicing in Trauma settings. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
28

How many years of experience do you possess practicing as a Physician Assistant in OB/GYN Surgery?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

29

Describe your Physician Assistant experience practicing in OB/GYN Surgery. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
30

Do you possess experience practicing as a Physician Assistant in Gastroenterology?

• Yes
• No

31

Describe your Physician Assistant experience practicing in Gastroenterology. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
32

Do you possess experience practicing as a Physician Assistant in Nephrology?

• Yes
• No

33

Describe your Physician Assistant experience practicing in Nephrology. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
34

Select the hospital(s) you have worked or are currently working at. If none, select N/A.

• El Camino
• Fremont
• Good Samaritan
• Kaiser
• O'Connor
• San Francisco General
• San Jose Regional Medical Center
• St Louise
• Stanford
• VA Health Care System
• Washington
• Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Health System
• Other
• N/A

35

How did you find out about this job?

• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Contacted by a Recruitment Firm
• County Employee Referral
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Virtual Job Fair
• In Person Job Fair
• In-Person Networking Professional Event
• Virtual Networking Event
• Community Event
• Glassdoor
• Governmentjobs.com
• Professional Association
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Hospital Website: SCVMC, O'Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital Website
• Handshake
• Student Career Center
• County Text Message
• Other (Specify in the next question)

36

If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify. If not, type N/A.
Required Question