Trauma & Surgical ICU Nocturnist Physician Assistant (PA)

Society of Critical Care Medicine; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The MetroHealth System in Cleveland is seeking a Trauma & Surgical ICU Nocturnist Physician Assistant to deliver overnight, evidence-based care to critically ill patients in a Level I Trauma Center. You will work with trauma surgeons, residents, and a multidisciplinary team to implement individualized plans and respond to evolving clinical conditions.

The role requires strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, procedural skills, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited master's degree program for Physician Assistant (PA).
• National certification through NCCPA.
• Licensure: PA license through the State Medical Board of Ohio.
• Eligibility for federal DEA registration.
• Current BLS certification (American Heart Association) or obtained within 90 days of hire.
• ATLS certification obtained within 180 days of hire.
• Additional advanced life support certifications as applicable within 180 days of hire.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques and aseptic practices.
• Meet requirements for clinical privileges with The MetroHealth System and apply for privileges at hire.
• Maintain a standard care arrangement or supervision agreement as required by Ohio law.

Responsibilities

• Provide overnight management of critically ill patients in the Trauma and Surgical ICU.
• Collaborate with trauma and critical care teams to develop and implement care plans.
• Evaluate new clinical concerns and respond to changes in patient condition overnight.
• Integrate lab, imaging, and hemodynamic data to document assessments and plans.
• Manage complex postoperative and critically ill patients across surgical subspecialties.
• Perform bedside critical care procedures within scope and privileges.
• Participate in ventilator and hemodynamic management and resuscitation.
• Respond to emergencies and contribute to rapid stabilization.
• Communicate significant changes to team and escalate appropriately.
• Ensure effective handoff between night and day teams.
• Document timely and accurate care plans and orders.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary staff to deliver comprehensive care.
• Promote patient/family education and safety.
• Uphold MetroHealth mission and standards.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Critical thinking

Procedural skills

Communication

Decision-making

Education

Master's degree in Physician Assistant

NCCPA certification

OH PA license

DEA registration eligibility

BLS certification

ATLS certification

Tools

ATLS

Job description

Position Overview

The Trauma & Surgical ICU Nocturnist Physician Assistant (PA) delivers advanced, evidence-based care to critically ill and injured patients during consistent night shifts at The MetroHealth System's Level I Adult Trauma Center.

Working collaboratively with Trauma/Critical Care attending physicians, surgical residents, nursing, and other members of the multidisciplinary team, the PA provides overnight management of critically ill surgical patients, responds to changes in clinical condition, performs bedside procedures, and supports the ongoing care of patients within the Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

This position is designed for an PA interested in a dedicated nocturnist role and requires strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, procedural, communication, and decision-making skills. The APP should have a thorough understanding of trauma and surgical critical care, including the assessment, diagnosis, stabilization, and management of acute and critically ill patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overnight management of critically ill patients in the Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care Unit.
• Collaborate with Trauma/Critical Care attending physicians, surgical residents, APPs, nursing, and multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized plans of care.
• Evaluate new and evolving clinical concerns and respond to acute changes in patient condition throughout the night.
• Collect and interpret clinical data, including laboratory results, imaging, hemodynamic information, and other diagnostic studies, to develop and document assessments and treatment plans.
• Manage complex postoperative, critically ill, and medically fragile patients across surgical specialties, including trauma, emergency general surgery, transplant, vascular, and general surgery.
• Perform bedside procedures within the PA's scope of practice and clinical privileges, including central venous catheter placement, arterial line placement, chest tube placement and management, and other critical care procedures.
• Participate in ventilator management, hemodynamic management, resuscitation, and stabilization of critically ill patients.
• Respond to clinical emergencies and participate in resuscitation of deteriorating or unstable patients.
• Communicate significant changes in patient condition and escalat clinical concerns appropriately to the Trauma/Critical Care attending physician and surgical team.
• Provide effective handoff and continuity of care between the overnight and daytime teams.
• Complete timely, accurate documentation and ensure established care plans are effectively implemented.
• Collaborate with nursing, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, and other multidisciplinary team members to provide comprehensive overnight critical care.
• Promote patient and family education, advocacy, safety, and high-quality patient-centered care.
• Uphold the mission, vision, values, and customer service standards of The MetroHealth System.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited master's degree program for:
  • Physician Assistant (PA)
• National certification through NCCPA
• Licensure:
  • PA: License through the State Medical Board of Ohio.
• Eligibility for federal DEA registration.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or obtained within 90 days of hire.
• Advance Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification obtained within 180 days of hire.
• Additional advanced life support certifications (as applicable to practice area) obtained within 180 days of hire.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques and aseptic practices.
• Meet requirements for clinical privileges in the specialty/department with The MetroHealth System and apply for privileges at the time of hire.
• Maintain a standard care arrangement or supervision agreement as required by Ohio law.

Preferred Qualifications (preferred but not required for otherwise qualified candidates)

• One or more years of Physician Assistant experience.
• Previous experience in surgical critical care, trauma surgery, emergency general surgery, or another high-acuity inpatient setting.
• Experience independently evaluating and managing acutely deteriorating or critically ill patients.
• Proficiency in critical care procedures, including central and arterial line placement, chest tube placement and management, and other bedside procedures.
• Experience with ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and management of complex critically ill patients.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication skills, and comfort practicing within a high-acuity overnight environment.

Additional Notes

Other department-specific qualifications for providers will be addressed through the Certificate of Authority and credentialing process.

Work Environment

The PA will work at Cleveland's most experienced Level 1 Trauma Center at MetroHealth's primary facility in Cleveland. This role requires adaptability, flexibility in scheduling, and a commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality care across diverse clinical settings. This position is specifically designated as a straight nightshift/nocturnist position. These shifts will be 12 hours in length. Weekend and holiday coverage is required as part of the nocturnist scheduling model.

About The MetroHealth System

The MetroHealth System is a nationally recognized public health care system committed to providing outstanding care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. As one of the largest, most comprehensive health systems in Northeast Ohio, MetroHealth operates an integrated network of hospitals, health centers, and outpatient clinics. The organization is dedicated to fostering innovation, improving community health, and advancing medical education and research. Learn more at www.metrohealth.org.

MetroHealth's Trauma Center

MetroHealth's Trauma Center is Cleveland's most experienced Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, known for delivering cutting-edge, lifesaving care to critically injured patients. The center's multidisciplinary approach ensures seamless collaboration between trauma surgeons, specialists, and advanced practice providers. Recognized for its excellence in trauma care, MetroHealth's Trauma Center plays a vital role in the region, serving as a leader in trauma education, research, and outreach programs designed to enhance injury prevention and improve outcomes for the community.