Physician Assistant (PA-C) - Plastic Surgery OR

About the Role

Belcara Health is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Physician Assistant (PA-C) to join our Plastic Surgery team in a full-time, primarily operating room-based role.

This position is designed for a PA who is comfortable in the OR, has strong surgical first-assist skills, and can function with a high degree of independence as part of an experienced surgical team.

The ideal candidate is someone who understands the rhythm of the operating room-anticipates the surgeon's needs, is technically proficient, works efficiently, and is confident with suturing and surgical closure.

While plastic surgery experience is highly desirable, we welcome candidates from other surgical specialties who have significant first-assist and closure experience and are interested in transitioning their skills to plastic and aesthetic surgery.

Primary Responsibilities

The majority of this position will be spent in the operating room, working directly alongside our plastic surgeons.

Responsibilities will include:

• Serve as surgical first assist during plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures

• Provide skilled intraoperative assistance throughout surgical cases

• Assist with patient positioning, prepping, draping, and other operative preparation

• Provide exposure and retraction throughout procedures

• Assist with tissue handling and dissection as appropriate to training and scope of practice

• Assist with achieving and maintaining hemostasis

• Perform suturing and surgical wound closure under surgeon direction and in accordance with training, privileges, and scope of practice

• Demonstrate proficiency with various closure techniques and suture materials

• Assist with placement and management of surgical drains when appropriate

• Apply dressings and assist with immediate postoperative wound management

• Anticipate the surgeon's needs and help maintain an efficient operative workflow

• Collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, circulating nurses, surgical technologists, and recovery staff

• Participate in surgical counts, safety protocols, time-outs, and infection-control procedures as appropriate

• Assist with postoperative orders, documentation, and immediate postoperative patient management

• Help ensure smooth transitions between cases and efficient utilization of operating room time

Surgical Skill & Independence

We are specifically looking for a PA who can become a highly capable and dependable extension of the surgeon in the operating room.

The successful candidate should be comfortable taking responsibility for their role during a procedure without requiring continuous instruction. Once familiar with our surgeons, procedures, and protocols, the PA should be able to anticipate operative needs, understand the progression of the procedure, and perform assigned portions of the case efficiently and confidently.

Strong suturing and surgical closure skills are an important requirement for this position. Candidates should have hands-on experience performing surgical closures and be comfortable demonstrating their technical abilities.

Plastic surgery requires meticulous attention to tissue handling and wound closure. We are therefore looking for someone who takes pride in surgical technique and is interested in continuing to refine these skills.

Additional Clinical Responsibilities

Although this is primarily an OR position, the PA may also participate in surgical patient care outside of the operating room, including:

• Preoperative patient evaluation and preparation

• Histories and physical examinations

• Postoperative patient assessment

• Wound and incision evaluation

• Dressing changes and drain management

• Suture and staple removal

• Patient education regarding postoperative care and recovery

• Identification and appropriate escalation of postoperative concerns

• Clinical documentation and postoperative orders

Requirements

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program

• Current or eligible Maryland Physician Assistant license

• Current NCCPA certification

• BLS certification required; ACLS preferred

• Previous operating room and surgical first-assist experience required

• Demonstrated suturing and surgical closure experience required

• Ability to function confidently and efficiently in the operating room

• Strong knowledge of surgical technique, sterile technique, and OR safety

• Excellent tissue-handling and technical skills

• Ability to anticipate the needs of the surgeon and surgical team

• Strong clinical judgment and attention to detail

• Ability to remain composed and effective during long or complex surgical cases

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Plastic surgery experience is preferred but not required. Candidates with strong surgical experience in general surgery, reconstructive surgery, ENT, orthopedics, vascular surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, or other surgical specialties are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Why Join Belcara Health?

At Belcara Health, our patients experience highly personalized care throughout their entire surgical journey. Because our plastic surgery clinic and private surgery center work closely together, this position provides an opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with patients before surgery, care for them during their procedure and recovery, and continue supporting them throughout their post-operative journey.

We value teamwork, professionalism, patient safety, accountability, and an exceptional patient experience.

Schedule: Full-Time, Mon - Fri
Location: Belcara Health - Baltimore, Maryland

Benefits:

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off