Trauma/Acute Care Advanced Practice Physician (Surgical First Experience)

Position Summary
The Trauma/Acute Care Advanced Practice Physician (APP) with surgical first experience provides specialized, hands-on care for critically ill and injured patients in trauma, surgical, and acute care settings. This role emphasizes early surgical involvement, procedural proficiency, and collaborative patient management alongside trauma and acute care surgeons.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of trauma and acute care surgical patients

• Participate in surgical-first evaluation and management of patients, including trauma activations and emergent surgical cases

• Perform procedures within scope of practice, such as central line placement, chest tubes, suturing, wound care, and bedside surgical assistance

• Order, interpret, and monitor diagnostic studies, laboratory tests, and imaging

• Coordinate care with trauma and surgical teams, intensivists, nurses, and ancillary staff

• Conduct daily rounding and ongoing patient management from admission through discharge

• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, procedures, treatment plans, and post-discharge care

• Document all patient care encounters accurately and in compliance with institutional and regulatory standards

• Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and trauma system initiatives

• Maintain advanced knowledge of surgical, trauma, and acute care best practices

Qualifications

• Master s or Doctoral degree from an accredited NP or PA program

• Current NP or PA certification (AANP, ANCC, or NCCPA)

• Active state licensure with prescriptive authority

• Prior surgical-first experience or critical care/trauma experience preferred

• Strong procedural skills, clinical judgment, and ability to function in high-acuity environments

• Ability to work independently while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team

Work Environment

• Inpatient hospital setting including trauma units, surgical floors, ICUs, and emergency department

• Schedule may include rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays depending on coverage needs

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout clinical and procedural areas

• Manual dexterity for procedural tasks and patient examinations

• Ability to respond quickly in emergent situations and assist with patient mobility