Physician Assistant

Details

Open Date 10/21/2026

Requisition Number PRN46562B

Job Title PS Physician Assistant

Working Title Physician Assistant

Career Progression Track UGR

Track Level

FLSA Code Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code? Yes

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time?

[[JD_HEADING:Full Time

Shift Day]]

Work Schedule Summary

Monday – Friday: Currently 4 days per week with some flexibility.

VP Area U of U Health - Academics

Department 00220 - Anesthesiology

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $100,000 - $125,000 DOE

Close Date 01/31/2027

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Job Summary

The PA role provides specialized care to high-risk surgical patients across two connected outpatient services in the Department of Anesthesiology: the Pre-operative Clinic and the Transitional Pain Service ( TPS ). In both settings, the PA works independently and in collaboration with an anesthesiologist to prepare patients for surgery.

In the Pre-operative Clinic, the PA sees high-risk patients in person, performs histories and physicals, and evaluates for cardiopulmonary disease, frailty, anemia, malnourishment, diabetes, and anesthesia-specific concerns like airway placement. Other work includes coordination of care, ordering labs for basic optimization, and follow-up of referrals and studies.

In the Transitional Pain Service, the PA focuses on the perioperative management of high-risk, complex pain patients. Patients are seen virtually or in person for a comprehensive assessment that includes a detailed pain and substance use history, medication review, prior surgical and pain-management experiences, and evaluation of anesthesia-specific factors that may affect perioperative pain management.

Using this information, the PA develops an individualized perioperative pain-management plan that considers the patient’s medical history and comorbidities, prior experiences and preferences, current medications and allergies, the planned surgical procedure, and the anticipated postoperative course.

The PA also manages the TPS referral workqueue, communicates care plans with the pain service, anesthesia, and surgical teams, and coordinates care with the patient’s chronic pain or substance use disorder provider.

The role requires learning the basic management of key risk factors for poor surgical outcomes and developing a working knowledge of acute-on-chronic pain management, addiction medicine, perioperative and anesthetic pain considerations, and expected postoperative recovery.

Experience in or around operating rooms, perioperative medicine, acute pain or regional anesthesia services, chronic pain clinics, addiction medicine, family practice, oncology, or internal medicine is preferred.

As a patient-focused organization, the University of Utah Health Sciences exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect.

The Department of Anesthesiology seeks faculty and staff who are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Assesses the physical condition of a group of patients by performing physical examinations and obtaining medical histories.
• Formulates the medical plan and further evaluation based on patient’s condition.
• Consults with physician(s) regarding patient health care plans and treatment.
• Orders, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic tests to identify and assess the patient’s clinical problems and health care needs.
• Initiates and/or recommends medical drug therapies or other forms of related therapeutic treatment and procedures in accordance with approved protocols/policy.
• Complies with medical records policies regarding the complete and accurate documentation of patient care. Initiates and maintains required records and legal documents.
• Participates in quality improvement activities.
• Counsels patients, families and significant others about health and illness, and promotes health maintenance.
• Completes comprehensive pre-operative and pain assessments, in person or virtually, for patients preparing for surgery.
• Develops individualized perioperative pain-management plans for high-risk, complex pain patients.
• Manages the Transitional Pain Service referral workqueue and follows up on referrals.
• Coordinates care with pain service, anesthesia, and surgical teams, and with patients’ chronic pain or substance use disorder providers.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

• Current licensure to practice as a Physician Assistant from the State of Utah.
• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

Preferred:

• Certification in ACLS / BLS / NRP / ATLS may be required by your department or by privileging criteria.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Preferences

2 years PA experience with demonstrated clinical competence and in-depth knowledge of perioperative medicine, pain medicine, addiction medicine, family medicine, or internal medicine is preferred.

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information.

Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ).

More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the:University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted athttps://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As perUniversity of Utah policy 5-108

Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.