Responsibilities:

Essential FunctionsClinical Responsabilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments, including obtaining medical histories, conducting physical examinations, and evaluating diagnostic findings.
• Evaluate and manage patients in office, hospital, and ambulatory surgery settings under the direction of the supervising surgeon.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the surgical team.
• Conduct preoperative evaluations and optimize patients for surgical procedures.
• Order, interpret, and communicate laboratory, imaging, and diagnostic test results.
• Prescribe medications, therapies, and medical equipment in accordance with state regulations and organizational policies.
• Monitor patient progress, identify changes in clinical status, and adjust treatment plans as appropriate.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete documentation within the electronic health record (EHR).

Surgical Responsibilities

• Function as a First Assistant during surgical procedures across multiple surgical specialties.
• Provide perioperative support, including patient positioning, surgical exposure, tissue handling, hemostasis, wound closure, and other first-assist responsibilities within scope of practice.
• Perform office-based procedures including:
  • Wound evaluations and care
  • Suture and staple removal
  • Incision and drain management
  • Joint and soft tissue injections
  • Aspirations
  • Dressing changes
  • Other approved procedures within licensure and competency
• Evaluate and manage postoperative recovery, including pain management, incision assessment, medication adjustments, and identification of potential complications.
• Collaborate with surgeons to ensure safe and effective perioperative care.

Patient Education & Care Coordination

• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatment options, surgical procedures, expected outcomes, postoperative recovery, and preventive care.
• Provide discharge instructions, medication counseling, activity restrictions, and follow-up recommendations.
• Coordinate care with primary care providers, specialists, rehabilitation services, imaging centers, home health agencies, and durable medical equipment providers.
• Ensure timely communication of test results and treatment recommendations.
• Advocate for patients by facilitating seamless transitions of care throughout the surgical episode.

Collaboration & Quality Improvement

• Collaborate effectively with physicians, nurses, medical assistants, anesthesia providers, and administrative staff to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, patient safety programs, and clinical workflow optimization.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and regulatory standards, accreditation requirements, and evidence-based clinical guidelines.
• Serve as a clinical resource for staff by supporting education, onboarding, and implementation of clinical protocols.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, teamwork, compassion, and exceptional service.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in practice call coverage as assigned.
• Assist with clinical, operational, and strategic practice initiatives.
• Maintain required continuing medical education and professional certifications.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the needs of the practice.

Core Competencies

• Advanced clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning
• Surgical first assisting and procedural proficiency
• Patient-centered communication and education
• Critical thinking and sound clinical judgment
• Interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork
• Professionalism, ethics, and accountability
• Organization, prioritization, and adaptability
• Commitment to quality improvement and continuous learning

Qualifications:

Education

• Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant program.

Licensure & Certifications

• Current Physician Assistant license in the applicable state.
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification preferred.

Experience

• Two (2) or more years of Physician Assistant experience in a surgical specialty preferred.
• Previous experience serving as a First Assistant in the operating room preferred.
• Experience managing preoperative and postoperative surgical patients.
• Experience in a multispecialty surgical practice or high-volume surgical environment preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of surgical anatomy, perioperative care, and postoperative management.
• Demonstrated proficiency in surgical assisting techniques.
• Strong clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR/EMR).
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and patient education abilities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with physicians and interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities.
• Commitment to maintaining patient confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and all applicable regulatory standards.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and composure in a fast-paced clinical and surgical environment.

Work Environment

Position Highlights

• • Collaborative multidisciplinary surgical practice
  • Mix of clinic, operating room, and postoperative patient care
  • Opportunity to work across multiple surgical specialties
  • Strong emphasis on quality outcomes, teamwork, and exceptional patient care
  • Professional growth through continuous learning and advanced surgical practice