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
