Hematology Oncology - Head and Neck Programmatic Physician Asst

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

The Division of Hematology and Oncology at UCI School of Medicine was founded in 1978. In the more than four decades since that time, we have grown to become a thriving organization with a nationally recognized reputation for training the next generation of outstanding physicians, innovating in the diagnosis and treatment of a broad spectrum of cancers and hematologic conditions.

TUnder the general direction of the Head and Neck Oncology Medical Director and Division Chief, the Physician Assistant provides advanced clinical care to Hematology/Oncology patients, with a primary focus on survivorship and symptom management for Head and Neck Cancer patients. Key responsibilities include conducting survivorship visits, monitoring for late treatment effects and toxicities, coordinating referrals to supportive services, and providing education on nutrition, psychosocial health, and lifestyle modifications. The PA will support patients undergoing active cancer treatment by managing acute side effects, offering same-day access to prevent emergency department visits, and collaborating closely with the oncology team to adjust supportive care plans as needed.

Additional responsibilities include patient education, triage support, post-treatment follow-up, and active participation in tumor boards and interdisciplinary care planning. The PA will also contribute to clinical research efforts, quality improvement initiatives, and facilitate integration with palliative and preventative care when appropriate. This role requires strong communication skills, clinical judgment, and a collaborative approach to care delivery within a multidisciplinary oncology team.

Required:

• Familiarity with monitoring for treatment-related late effects and coordinating referrals to interdisciplinary supportive services (e.g., speech/swallow therapy, OT/PT, lymphedema management, pelvic health, and cardiology).
• Ability to provide same-day urgent access visits for oncology symptom triage and intervention.
• Demonstrated understanding of core oncology principles, including chemoradiation regimens and treatment sequencing for Head and Neck Cancer.
• Strong understanding of cancer screening, tobacco/alcohol cessation counseling, HPV education, and early palliative care integration.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams including medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and supportive care providers.
• Previous experience attending or contributing to tumor boards or multidisciplinary planning conferences.
• Familiarity with clinical data collection and interest in contributing to quality improvement or research initiatives.
• Ability to triage patient calls, manage follow-ups, and interpret lab and imaging results in collaboration with physicians.
• Be able to keep a spreadsheet/database of patients for clinical research studies.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication, with ability to document clearly in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism when working with physicians, patients, staff, and external partners.
• Must demonstrate customer service skills appropriate to the role and maintain a work pace appropriate to the clinical setting.
• Willingness and ability to be trained on specialized equipment and procedures related to cancer care and survivorship.
• Applicant must have completed a physician assistant training program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
• Licensure through the California Physician Assistant Board of the Medical Board of California as a physician assistant.
• Must have a National Provider Identifier (NPI), or obtain an NPI, prior to employment start date and meet current Medicare requirements for billing.
• Evidence of completion of Controlled Substances Education Course that meets requirements pursuant to California Code of Regulations Sections 1399.610 and 1399.612. PAs who have completed a one-time Controlled Substances Education Course may order or furnish a Schedule II drug pursuant to the Practice Agreement without patient-specific advance approval.
• National board certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) at the time of initial appointment.
• Valid/Current DEA license.
• BLS and ACLS certifications (required within first month of employment).
• Minimum of 2-3 years of oncology-specific PA experience in an academic medical center or comprehensive cancer center.
• Experience conducting survivorship care visits and creating individualized care plans addressing long-term toxicities, lifestyle modifications, and psychosocial support.
• Experience in educating patients, caregivers, and clinical teams on treatment plans, side effects, and health maintenance strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in symptom management and supportive care during active cancer treatment, including mucositis, dysphagia, pain, fatigue, and nutritional challenges.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of University and medical center organizations, policies, procedures and forms

Special Conditions:

• Ability to obtain UCIMC Allied Health Professional Privileges prior to hire.

Total Compensation

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.