(PA) Sr. Physician Assistant - Primary Care - 141842

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 171,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Physician Assistant to join the Primary Care team in Eastlake, providing 80% clinical and 20% administrative support. The PA will handle new patient intake, in-basket support, and same-day care for common illnesses, with duties spanning wellness visits and population health initiatives.

Strong clinical assessment, documentation, and independent decision-making are required. California PA license, ARC-PA PA program, NCCPA certification, and ongoing commitment to

Qualifications

• Graduate from ARC-PA approved PA program.
• California PA license required.
• Current NCCPA certification.
• BLS certification at hire; plan to obtain BART within six months.
• Minimum three years' experience as PA in primary care or internal medicine.

Responsibilities

• New patient intake and in-basket support for primary care physicians.
• Provide same-day care for common conditions (URIs, sore throats, UTIs, minor injuries).
• Perform wellness exams and post-hospital follow-ups.
• Contribute to population health initiatives as needed.
• Follow advanced practice guidelines to implement care plans.
• Assess and act on clinical actions based on competence.

Skills

Clinical assessment

History & physicals

Patient load management

Medical documentation

Independent thinking

Prioritization

Infection control

Education

ARC-PA PA program

California PA license

NCCPA certification

BLS certification

3+ years primary care

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/27/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

This position will be 80% Clinical and 20% Administrative. Primary duties will be new patient intake and in-basket support for Primary Care Physicians. The Physician Assistant (PA) will serve as an integral member of the UCSD Primary Care team, improving access for patients with both acute and chronic needs. In addition to providing same-day care for common conditions such as upper respiratory symptoms, sore throats, ear infections, urinary tract infections, and minor injuries, the PA will also support primary care services through annual wellness exams, post-hospital follow-ups, and participation in population health initiatives as needed.

The PA will follow standardized advanced practice procedure guidelines to provide follow-through with the care plan. Assess and provide clinical actions as appropriate for patient care populations based on competence, professional expertise, and knowledge.

While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.

This position will provide patient care coverage for our Primary Care Clinic based in Eastlake. May work in other Primary Care locations as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a graduate from a physician assistant program approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

• California Physician Assistant (PA) license.

• Current PA Certification from NCCPA.

• BLS certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six months of hire date.

• Minimum of three (3) years of work experience as a licensed Physician Assistant in primary care or internal medicine.

• Ability to perform initial history and physical examination, identify major medical problems, and formulate appropriate plans of action.

• Ability to manage own patient load.

• Knowledge of common diagnostic tests, exams, and procedures used in clinic. Must understand purpose, required supplies and/or equipment, how to perform procedure accurately, infection control, and accurate documentation of the medical chart.

• Must have proven independent thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and prioritizing skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ambulatory Primary Care experience.

• Telemedicine or video visit experience.

• Urgent and primary care procedural experience (e.g., suturing, stapling, I&D, EKG, and Basic Radiology interpretation).

• Knowledge and experience of clinical and ancillary services within the UCSD Medical Center.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• 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.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $170,652 - $224,815 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $81.73 - $107.67

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).