Full Job Description
Overview
The Surgical Assist Physician Assistant (PA) is a highly skilled perioperative provider supporting both orthopedic and general surgery service lines. This role functions primarily as a first assist in the operating room while also providing comprehensive preoperative and postoperative care.
The PA will work collaboratively with surgeons across specialties to ensure efficient surgical throughput, high-quality patient outcomes, and continuity of care across inpatient and outpatient settings. This position is designed to support cross-coverage and operational flexibility across surgical programs.
Duties
Intraoperative (Primary Focus)
- Serve as first assist for both orthopedic and general surgery procedures, including: Orthopedic – total joint replacements, arthroscopy, fracture repair, trauma; and General Surgery – hernia repair, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, soft tissue procedures
- Perform surgical techniques such as: Retraction, exposure, and tissue handling; Hemostasis and electrocautery; Suturing, stapling, ligation, and wound closure
- Assist in both open and minimally invasive (laparoscopic) procedures
- Operate and support use of specialty-specific instruments, implants, and surgical equipment
- Maintain sterile field and ensure compliance with all OR protocols
Preoperative Care
- Conduct focused history and physical examinations across surgical populations
- Order and interpret diagnostics, including imaging and labs
- Prepare patients for surgery and provide education on procedures and recovery expectations
- Collaborate with surgeons on case planning and optimization
Postoperative Care
- Perform inpatient rounds and outpatient follow-up visits
- Manage postoperative recovery, including wound care and complication monitoring
- Remove sutures/staples and manage drains as appropriate
- Coordinate discharge planning and rehabilitation (e.g., physical therapy for ortho patients)
Clinical Documentation & Compliance
- Complete accurate, timely documentation in the EHR
- Ensure compliance with billing, coding, and regulatory standards
- Support quality, safety, and performance improvement initiatives
Collaboration & Communication
- Partner with surgeons, anesthesia, OR staff, nursing, and ancillary teams
- Communicate effectively with patients and families
- Support coordination across inpatient, outpatient, and procedural settings
Requirements
Education & Certification
- Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program
- Current certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- Active, unrestricted Physician Assistant license in the state of California
Experience
- Minimum of 1–3 years of surgical assisting experience required; New graduates will not be considered for this role
- Required: Experience working in an acute care hospital setting within the past 18 months
- Demonstrated experience as a first assist in orthopedic and/or general surgery procedures
- Experience supporting both open and minimally invasive surgical cases strongly preferred
Skills & Competencies
- Advanced knowledge of orthopedic and general surgical anatomy and procedures
- Proficiency in: Orthopedic surgical instrumentation and implants as well as General surgery techniques, including laparoscopic procedures
- Strong technical skills in: Tissue handling, retraction, and exposure; Hemostasis and electrocautery; Suturing, ligation, and wound closure across specialties
- Ability to seamlessly cross-cover orthopedic and general surgery cases based on operational needs
- Strong understanding of sterile technique and OR workflows
- Excellent clinical judgment in perioperative care
- Ability to perform in a fast-paced, high-acuity surgical environment
- Strong communication and interdisciplinary teamwork skills
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Hospital-based role with primary responsibilities in the operating room
- Requires prolonged standing and physical stamina during procedures
- Ability to assist with patient positioning and transport
- Participation in call rotation, evenings, and weekends as required
Pay: $150,000.00 – $170,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- surgical assisting : 1 year (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- unrestricted PA-C license in the state of California (Preferred)
Work Location: In person