(NP) Nurse Practitioner- Per Diem- IP Neurosurgery - 140888

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 192,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Cross-site coverage

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to deliver inpatient neurosurgical care across our Jacobs Medical Center and Hillcrest Medical Center facilities. The NP will evaluate, manage, and coordinate care for complex neurosurgical patients under physician supervision.

Responsibilities include comprehensive assessments, plan development, ordering and interpreting tests, and assisting with procedures, while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited nurse practitioner program.
• California RN license, California NP license, and Furnishing License Certification.
• Current Acute Care NP Certification (AGACNP or ACNP).
• Two years of inpatient, acute neurosurgical or surgical experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and manage neurosurgical patients across inpatient settings (ICU/IMU/medical-surgical units).
• Perform procedures within scope and document clinical encounters.
• Coordinate transitions of care and facilitate patient discharges.
• Provide cross-coverage across UC San Diego Health’s neurosurgical inpatient services as needed.

Education

Accredited nurse practitioner program

California RN license

California NP license

Furnishing License Certification

ACNP/AGACNP certification

Job description

• Payroll Title: NURSE PRACT PD
• Department: Neurological Surgery
• Hiring Pay Scale: $118.32 / Hour
• Worksite: La Jolla
• Appointment Type: Per Diem
• Appointment Percent: 30%
• Union: NX Contract
• Total Openings: 2
• Work Schedule: Days, 12-Hour Shifts, Sunday-Saturday

#140888 (NP) Nurse Practitioner- Per Diem- IP Neurosurgery

Filing Deadline: Wed 8/19/2026

Two positions are available: one primarily based at Jacobs Medical Center and one primarily based at Hillcrest Medical Center. Both positions are required to provide coverage across all primary UC San Diego Health sites, as needed.

DESCRIPTION

The Department of Neurological Surgery at UC San Diego is among the leading neurosurgical centers in the country. The Department provides the full range of a contemporary neurosurgical practice, holds every major sub-specialty quality designation within the field, has developed world-class collaborative research relationships with engineering and neurosciences, and is a leading educational program in neurosurgery for medical students and residents. The department offers rewarding career opportunities in the diverse areas of state-of-the-art clinical services, advanced educational programs, and cutting-edge research. The Department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

Under the direction of the Chair of Neurosurgery and APP Supervisor, the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) functions as an advanced practice provider within the Department of Neurological Surgery, delivering comprehensive inpatient care across UC San Diego Health’s neurosurgical service. The NP provides high-quality, evidence-based care to patients with complex neurosurgical conditions and works collaboratively with attending neurosurgeons, residents, nurses, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

Primary responsibilities include evaluating and managing neurosurgical patients across a variety of inpatient settings, including the intensive care unit (ICU), intermediate care unit (IMU), medical-surgical units, emergency department consultations, and the operating room. The NP performs comprehensive patient assessments, develops and implements treatment plans, orders and interprets diagnostic studies, performs procedures within scope of practice, documents clinical encounters, coordinates transitions of care, and facilitates patient discharges. May also provide cross-coverage across UC San Diego Health’s neurosurgical inpatient services and, as operational needs require, support ambulatory clinical services.

Working under the supervision of assigned neurosurgical faculty and in accordance with established protocols, applicable laws, and institutional policies, the NP performs advanced clinical duties traditionally delegated to physicians while exercising a high degree of clinical judgment, autonomy, and accountability. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a graduate from an accredited nurse practitioner program.
• California Registered Nurse (RN) license, California Nurse Practitioner (NP) license, and Furnishing License Certification.
• Current Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification (AGACNP or ACNP).
• BLS and ACLS certifications at time of hire with commitment to get ART within six months of hire date.
• A Minimum of two (2) years of work experience as a licensed Nurse Practitioner. Experience must include inpatient, acute care neurosurgical or surgical experience.
• Theoretical background in: anatomy, physiology, general medicine, pulmonary, emergency and critical care medicine, management of common diseases, concepts of medicine and surgery, therapeutics including pharmacology, counseling techniques and interpersonal dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience in performing initial history and physical examination, identifying major medical problems, and formulating appropriate plans of action.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data in a meaningful manner.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of operating room standards and techniques.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to maintain detailed medical information in an organized and easily retrievable manner.
• Knowledge necessary for instructing house staff, medical students, physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel in all aspects of surgical care.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of all types of treatment and modalities necessary for patient care and well-being.
• Strong writing skills to prepare clear medical reports, laboratory data and progress notes, as well as policies, procedures and protocols for patient care management.
• Ability to perform various medical procedures, for diagnostic studies and therapeutic modalities.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to be trained in the use of specialized medical equipment.
• Ability to properly counsel patients and families, particularly in delicate or death and dying situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and other health care personnel.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships and communications with physicians in-charge, laboratory personnel, and members of the health care team.
• Knowledge necessary for instructing house staff, medical students, physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel in all aspects of surgical care.
• Ability to write orders regarding the execution of patient plans of treatment.
• Ability to assess the status and progress of patients and report this effectively to the physician in-charge and other medical care personnel associated with the patient.
• Knowledge of all types of treatment and modalities necessary for the patient’s care and well-being, and the skill in recording nursing/medical assessment findings accurately and completely.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in Lumbar puncture, intrathecal chemotherapy, and ventriculoperitoneal/lumbar peritoneal shunt adjustment. Ommaya and VP-LP shunts tapping.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks to meet strict guidelines and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility, in order to work effectively with staff, patients, and community agencies in person and on the phone.
• Knowledge of medical ethics and law practices pertaining to medical and medical socioeconomics.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two (2) years of experience in Neurosurgery.
• Knowledge of clinical and ancillary services within the UCSD Medical Center.
• Experience with neurosurgical procedures, including lumbar puncture, placement and removal of intracranial pressure monitoring devices, interrogation, adjustment, and access of ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
• Experience in inpatient surgical care.
• Experience with Epic EMR.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, on-call and locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center’s business needs.
• Must be able to obtain UCSD Medical Staff privileges and maintain during employment. Due to advanced practice credentialing eligibility, clinical advanced practice experience must be within the last two years gained through school or work experience
• Must be willing to work flexible, variable hours with the ability to change schedule on short notice. Position may require ability to work evenings/nights.
• Work location – Jacobs Medical Center & Hillcrest Medical Center, with the ability to provide cross‑coverage at other UC San Diego Health locations, including Palomar Medical Center, East Campus Medical Center, and ambulatory clinics, as operational needs require.
• Current UCSD NPIII employees may be hired at the NPIII level pending review and approval by Health Human Resources and the UCSD Advanced Practice Council.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $247,052 - $247,052 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $118.32 - $118.32

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational, or "bench-to-bedside", research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace