Samantha Stearns, PA-C
Atascadero,CA
Summary
Caring and engaging Physician Assistant with experience in both Emergency and Primary Care settings. Dependable and skilled in complex procedures and management of complex medical conditions. My forte is fostering trust with my patients through empathetic communication. I am optimistic, efficient, and friendly. I take pride in knowing that my patients and coworkers alike know that they are truly cared for by me. I am excited for the opportunity to join your team!
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Primary Care Physician Assistant
SLO Health Center
07.2025 - Current
- Developed long-lasting relationships with patients and families, fostering trust in the primary care setting.
- Diagnosed, educated, and treated acute and chronic illnesses in a diverse patient population, with a strong emphasis on prevention.
- Reduced patient wait times by efficiently managing appointments and prioritizing urgent cases.
- Utilized electronic health record (Elation) to maintain accurate patient documentation.
- Mentored PA students through clinical rotations in primary care.
Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant
Vituity
10.2024 - Current
- Functioned as a PA in two dynamic community hospitals, operating with a small team in a diverse community with immense healthcare shorteages.
- Performed various procedures including complex laceration repairs, eye exams, abscess incision and drainage, regional nerve blocks, foreign body removal, paracentesis, and lumbar puncture.
- Proficient with managing acute care, high acuity, and complex medical patients with chronic conditions in the emergency department setting.
- Skilled in procedures including but not limited to paracentesis, central line placement, incision and drainage, suturing and complex laceration repair, intubation, bedside ultrasound, imaging interpretation, and foreign body removal.
- Managed at-risk individuals, including behavioral health, pediatric, and geriatric patients.
- Adept at pharmaceutical management of a range of medical conditions.
- Thrived in the fast-paced emergency medicine setting while taking the time to compassionately educate and care for patients.
- Participated in continuing education through CME opportunities, simulation labs, and conferences.
- Cared for high acuity cases including severe sepsis, acute psychosis, neutropenic fever, endocarditis, severe anemia requiring transfusion, ACS, CVA, etcetera.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams including hospitalists and consultants to coordinate care and enhance patient outcomes.
- Independently interpreted diagnostic tests including blood work and radiology studies.
- Worked efficiently to chart, place orders, and interpret diagnostic testing via Cerner EMR.
- Participated and helped lead Rapid Medical Exam (RME) workflow, which significantly reduced "left without being seen" rates in a busy hospital system.
- Responsible for safely seeing roughly 2 patients per hour ranging from high to low acuity in a busy ER system.
Physician Assistant Content Consultant
Amboss
07.2024 - 12.2024
- Offered PA-specific insight in the development of a new product focused on PA education and PA board examinations.
Education
Doctor of Medical Science -
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN05-2025
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Yale University
New Haven, CT05-2024
Bachelor of Science - Cellular And Molecular Biology
Westmont College
Montecito, CA05-2014
Skills
Patient Assessment & Diagnosis
Physical Examinations (including pelvic, rectal, and breast exams)
Central Line and Vas Cath Insertion
Arterial Line Insertion
Ultrasound-guided lines
Intubation
Paracentesis
Anoscopy
Inotropes and Vasopressors
ECG Interpretation
Aseptic Technique
Airway Management
Wound Closure via Sutures, Staples, and Dermabond
Incision & Drainage
Peritonsillar Abscess Drainage
Wound Care
Foreign Body Removal
Antibiotic Stewardship
Dermatologic Skin Exam
Shave and Punch Biopsy
Local Anesthesia
Assisting in Mohs Surgery
Management of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Prenatal Examination and Education
Well-child exam
Pain Management
Chronic Medical Illness Management (ie, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure)
Bedside Ultrasound including FAST exam
Lumbar Puncture
Digital Nerve Block
Closed Fracture Reduction
Woods Lamp, Slit Lamp, Complete Eye Exam
Cerner PowerChart EMR
Certification
Licensed Physician Assistant - July 2024 - Present •
American Academy of Physician Assistants • Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants • Central Coast Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants • California Academy of Physician Associates
Emergency Medical Technician • Basic Life Support •
LA Fire Card
Timeline
Primary Care Physician Assistant
SLO Health Center
07.2025 - Current
Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant
Vituity
10.2024 - Current
Physician Assistant Content Consultant
Amboss
07.2024 - 12.2024
Doctor of Medical Science -
Butler University
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Yale University
Bachelor of Science - Cellular And Molecular Biology
Westmont College