Physician Assistant

Physician assistants practicing in orthopedics, as part of the physician-led team, provide medical care under the supervision of an orthopedic surgeon. Their work ranges from performing examinations to interpreting diagnostic tests to prescribing medications to assisting the orthopedic surgeon in surgery. PAs in orthopedics work both in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Orthopedic surgeons delegate a range of responsibilities to physician assistants. As such, PAs exercise a high level of decision-making, providing care with delegated autonomy.

Job responsibilities of physician assistants include:

• Performing comprehensive and problem-focused history and physical examinations
• Interpreting laboratory and diagnostic procedures to establish a working diagnosis
• Implementing therapeutic intervention for specific conditions
• Ordering and performing diagnostic procedures and studies, such as:
  • EMG
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Compartment pressure measurements
  • X-ray examinations
  • Special x-ray examinations, including CT, MRI, and bone scans
• Performing procedures like regional anesthesia and digital blocks
• Performing minor outpatient procedures, such as:
  • Hardware removal
  • Incision and drainage
  • K-wire removal
  • Percutaneous pinning of fractures
  • Tendon repair
  • Wound closure
  • Wound debridement
  • Needle biopsy
  • Wound management
• Performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such as:
  • Brace, cast, and splint applications
  • Closed reduction of fractures and dislocations
  • Injection of joints
  • Joint and bursa aspirations
  • Tendons
  • Trigger points and bursa
• Assisting in surgeries as delegated by the surgeon
• Ordering, prescribing, dispensing, and administering medication
• Ordering, prescribing, dispending, and administering orthosis, orthotics, braces, and other orthopedic devices
• Evaluating, screening, and counseling patients on health maintenance
• Promoting the utilization of community resources
• Conducting post-operative rounds, writing orders, and performing admission and discharge work in the hospital setting

• Must have active California state license
• BC required
• BLS needed
• DEA needed
• Weekdays and weekend call

• Benefits:
• Health, vision, dental, and 401(k) retirement benefits offered
• Competitive compensation
• Paid malpractice insurance
• Great working environment and teamwork