Physician Assistant

Full Job Description

Physician Assistant (PA-C) – Breast Surgery

Position: Physician Assistant (PA-C) – Breast SurgeryLocation: Leonard Cancer InstituteSchedule: Full-Time, Monday–FridayReports To: Breast Oncologist / Breast SurgeonOrganization: OC Surgeons

Position Summary

OC Surgeons is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Physician Assistant (PA-C) to join our breast surgery team. The ideal candidate will have clinical experience in a surgical environment, with operating room, surgical first-assist, breast surgery, breast oncology, or comprehensive breast care experience preferred but not required.

The Physician Assistant will work closely with the breast surgeon and multidisciplinary care team to provide high-quality preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. Responsibilities will include assisting with surgical procedures, patient evaluation, postoperative management, follow-up examinations, patient education, coordination of ongoing surgical care, and supporting the day-to-day operations and continued development of the high-risk breast program.

The successful candidate must be ambitious, proactive, highly organized, and motivated to continuously develop both their own clinical skills and the breast program as a whole. This individual will be expected to take ownership of assigned responsibilities, anticipate the needs of the surgeon and patients, identify opportunities for improvement, and actively contribute to the growth and efficiency of the high-risk breast program.

The successful candidate will be clinically skilled, compassionate, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced surgical environment while maintaining a strong commitment to patient safety, quality, efficiency, and patient-centered care.

Essential Responsibilities

Breast Surgery & Preoperative Care

• Perform comprehensive preoperative histories and physical examinations for patients undergoing breast procedures.
• Evaluate patients and review medical records, imaging, pathology, laboratory results, medications, and relevant medical history.
• Assist the breast surgeon in developing and coordinating individualized surgical care plans.
• Assist the breast surgeon with the in-office high-risk breast program, including patient evaluation, education, surveillance, and coordination of care.
• Participate in preoperative consultations and surgical planning.
• Educate patients regarding their diagnosis, planned surgical procedure, risks, benefits, expectations, and postoperative recovery.
• Identify and communicate relevant clinical concerns to the attending surgeon.
• Coordinate imaging, pathology, laboratory testing, and other preoperative requirements as appropriate.
• Ensure required preoperative orders are appropriately prepared, submitted, and completed in a timely manner.
• Assist in coordinating multidisciplinary care when indicated.
• Ensure appropriate chart preparation is completed for new and established patients prior to scheduled visits, including review of relevant imaging, pathology, laboratory results, prior procedures, medications, and medical history.
• Identify missing clinical information or outstanding requirements prior to patient appointments and coordinate completion as appropriate.

High-Risk Breast Program Development & Management

• Actively participate in the development, implementation, and continued growth of the high-risk breast program.
• Demonstrate initiative and ownership in identifying opportunities to improve patient access, clinical workflows, patient education, surveillance, and overall program efficiency.
• Assist with establishing and maintaining efficient workflows for high-risk breast patients from initial referral through evaluation, surveillance, follow-up, and coordination of care.
• Ensure appropriate chart preparation and clinical review for new and established high-risk breast patients.
• Assist with identifying patients who may benefit from high-risk breast surveillance, genetic evaluation, additional imaging, or other appropriate services.
• Coordinate patient follow-up and ensure recommended surveillance and testing are appropriately scheduled and completed.
• Respond to patient inquiries in a timely, professional, and compassionate manner, escalating clinical concerns to the breast surgeon when appropriate.
• Assist in developing patient education materials, workflows, protocols, and other resources to support the high-risk breast program.
• Monitor program needs and identify opportunities to improve patient experience, quality, efficiency, and continuity of care.
• Work collaboratively with radiology, pathology, oncology, genetics, primary care, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute ideas and participate in initiatives designed to expand and improve the high-risk breast program.

Operating Room Responsibilities

• Assist the breast surgeon during surgical procedures within the PA’s scope of practice, training, privileges, and applicable regulations.
• Provide surgical first-assist support as appropriate and within the PA’s training and experience.
• Assist with procedures including, but not limited to:
• Breast biopsies
• Lumpectomies / partial mastectomies
• Mastectomies
• Sentinel lymph node procedures
• Excisional breast procedures
• Port placement
• Other breast-related surgical procedures as appropriate
• Assist with surgical exposure, tissue handling, hemostasis, suturing, wound closure, and other appropriate surgical duties.
• Demonstrate proficiency in sterile technique and operating room protocols.
• Develop familiarity with the needs of the breast surgeon and surgical team throughout procedures.
• Assist with patient positioning, preparation, draping, and other perioperative activities.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of breast anatomy, surgical instrumentation, and operative procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with surgical nurses, surgical technologists, anesthesia personnel, pathologists, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Maintain strict adherence to patient safety, infection prevention, and surgical facility policies and procedures.

Postoperative & Follow-Up Care

• Perform postoperative evaluations and monitor patients for potential complications.
• Evaluate surgical wounds and incisions and provide appropriate wound care.
• Manage routine postoperative concerns under the direction of the breast surgeon.
• Remove sutures, staples, drains, and other devices when clinically appropriate and within scope.
• Evaluate postoperative pain, swelling, bruising, seromas, hematomas, infection, and other potential complications.
• Provide postoperative education regarding wound care, activity restrictions, medications, and recovery expectations.
• Review pathology results with patients as directed by the breast surgeon.
• Coordinate and participate in postoperative follow-up visits.
• Recognize abnormal findings or suspected complications and promptly communicate them to the attending surgeon.
• Facilitate timely follow-up, referrals, imaging, and additional treatment when clinically indicated.
• Ensure hospital discharge paperwork, follow-up instructions, orders, prescriptions, and other required discharge documentation are appropriately completed and in order.
• Assist with coordinating the transition of patients from hospital discharge to outpatient follow-up.

Patient Education & Breast Care

• Provide compassionate education and support to patients throughout the breast surgery process.
• Educate patients regarding surgical options, postoperative expectations, and recovery.
• Reinforce recommendations related to breast health, surveillance, and follow-up care.
• Assist patients in navigating the surgical process from initial consultation through postoperative recovery.
• Communicate effectively with patients and families regarding treatment plans and follow-up care.
• Respond to patient telephone calls, portal messages, and other inquiries in a timely and professional manner, within scope of practice.
• Appropriately triage patient concerns and escalate clinical issues to the breast surgeon when necessary.
• Coordinate care with oncology, radiology, pathology, primary care, and other specialists as appropriate.
• Provide compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals navigating a breast cancer diagnosis or other breast-related condition.

Clinical & Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete medical documentation.
• Complete histories and physicals, postoperative notes, orders, prescriptions, and other required documentation within scope and as directed.
• Ensure charts are appropriately prepared before new and established patient visits, including review of pertinent clinical information and identification of outstanding records, imaging, pathology, laboratory work, or other required information.
• Ensure preoperative orders and required clinical documentation are submitted and completed in a timely manner.
• Ensure hospital discharge paperwork and related follow-up documentation are complete and organized.
• Respond to patient inquiries and assist with timely resolution or escalation of patient concerns.
• Monitor outstanding clinical tasks and follow up as necessary to ensure completion.
• Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and clinical initiatives.
• Actively identify opportunities to improve clinical workflows, patient experience, and operational efficiency.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of protocols, workflows, and processes supporting the breast surgery and high-risk breast programs.
• Follow all applicable federal and California regulations, facility policies, and professional standards.
• Maintain required licensure, certifications, CME, and continuing education.
• Participate in practice, surgical center, and multidisciplinary meetings and educational activities as requested.
• Support efficient patient flow and coordination of surgical care.
• Demonstrate accountability and ownership of assigned clinical and administrative responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Current California Physician Assistant license in good standing.
• Current NCCPA certification (PA-C).
• Current BLS certification.
• Strong clinical knowledge and understanding of patient care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong clinical judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with surgeons and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Willingness and ability to develop proficiency in breast surgery and surgical first-assist responsibilities as part of the role.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and willingness to take ownership of clinical and administrative responsibilities.

Preferred – Not Required

• Previous operating room experience.
• Previous surgical first-assist experience.
• Previous breast surgery experience.
• Experience assisting with breast biopsies, lumpectomies, mastectomies, sentinel lymph node procedures, or other breast procedures.
• Experience in an ambulatory surgery center or surgical practice.
• Experience providing postoperative surgical care.
• Oncology or breast health experience.
• ACLS certification.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary breast care or oncology program.
• Experience developing or improving clinical programs, workflows, or patient care processes.

Schedule

Full-Time | Monday–Friday

• Regular Monday–Friday schedule
• No routine weekend schedule
• Schedule may vary based on clinic and surgical needs

Key Attributes

The ideal candidate will be:

• Ambitious, driven, and motivated to grow professionally and take on increasing responsibility.
• Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to identify what needs to be done rather than waiting to be instructed.
• Interested in developing not only their own clinical skills but also contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of the high-risk breast program.
• Comfortable working in a surgical environment and interested in developing or expanding operating room skills.
• Interested in breast surgery and breast health.
• Willing to develop proficiency as a surgical first assist under the direction of the breast surgeon.
• Able to learn and anticipate the needs of the breast surgeon and surgical team.
• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple clinical, administrative, and patient-care responsibilities simultaneously.
• Accountable for ensuring charts, orders, discharge documentation, and other assigned clinical tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Responsive and professional when communicating with patients, staff, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Compassionate and sensitive to the unique needs of breast surgery and oncology patients.
• Comfortable managing postoperative patients and identifying potential complications.
• An effective communicator and collaborative team member.
• Able to work independently while maintaining appropriate communication with the attending surgeon.
• Committed to continuous improvement and willing to bring forward ideas that improve patient care, workflow, access, and the overall success of the program.
• Committed to providing safe, efficient, high-quality, and patient-centered surgical care.

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time, Monday–Friday schedule
• Competitive annual salary of $125,000–$130,000, depending on experience and qualifications
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) / retirement plan after one year of employment
• Two weeks of paid time off
• CME allowance
• Professional malpractice coverage

Pay: $125,000.00 – $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person