Job DescriptionShriners Children's St. Louis is seeking a full-time Physician Assistant to join its nationally recognized Pediatric Orthopedic program. This position offers a unique opportunity to care for a diverse population of pediatric orthopedic patients while working alongside a highly collaborative team of four pediatric orthopedic surgeons, two pediatricians, and eight Advanced Practice Providers. The Physician Assistant will serve primarily as a surgical first assist, supporting approximately 12 to 15 orthopedic procedures per week across the full spectrum of pediatric orthopedic care.
The role includes extensive exposure to a wide variety of conditions and procedures involving the spine, upper extremity, lower extremity, and orthopedic trauma. Common patient populations include children with scoliosis and other spinal deformities, hip dysplasia, clubfoot, limb length discrepancies, cerebral palsy-related orthopedic conditions, congenital hand differences, fractures, sports injuries, gait abnormalities, and other musculoskeletal disorders. Surgical cases may include scoliosis correction, growth modulation procedures, osteotomies, hip reconstruction, clubfoot correction, fracture fixation, tendon transfers, and hand and upper extremity procedures.
In addition to operative responsibilities, the Physician Assistant will participate in the inpatient management of pediatric orthopedic patients, caring for an average daily census of three to five patients. Responsibilities include performing patient assessments, coordinating care plans, managing postoperative recovery, and conducting daily rounds both independently and in collaboration with attending surgeons. There are no ICU responsibilities associated with this role.
This position offers an exceptional work-life balance with a predictable schedule of four 10-hour shifts each week, Monday through Thursday, beginning at 6:30 a.m. There are no call requirements, nights, weekends, or holiday coverage. The ideal candidate will thrive in a team-oriented environment and have a passion for delivering high-quality, family-centered care to children with orthopedic conditions in both the surgical and inpatient settings.
The annual salary range for the position is $92,375.20 to $146,556.80, with the final starting salary determined based on the candidate's years of relevant experience, qualifications, and internal departmental equity considerations.
Key Responsibilities- Conduct comprehensive and age-appropriate health assessments, histories, and physical exams.
- Formulate differential diagnoses and develop care plans in coordination with supervising physicians and the care team.
- Manage care for pediatric orthopedic specialty populations
- Provide pre-operative and post-operative evaluations and ongoing management in both inpatient and ambulatory surgical environments.
- Order and interpret diagnostic imaging, lab work, and other tests as permitted by licensure and protocol.
- Perform routine procedures within the scope of licensure.
- Prescribe medications and therapeutic interventions consistent with the scope of practice and Shriners Children's policies.
- Participate in multidisciplinary clinics and care conferences to support coordinated, integrated care.
- Educate patients, caregivers, and staff on disease processes, treatment plans, and home care strategies.
- Document clinical findings, treatment plans, and patient responses using the electronic health record (EHR).
- Support quality improvement, patient safety, and research initiatives as appropriate to the role.
- Provide mentorship or precepting to clinical staff or trainees as assigned.
- Maintain compliance with hospital, state, and federal regulations, including infection control and documentation standards.
- Perform additional duties within the scope of licensure as assigned to support patient care and organizational goals.
- Maintain all professional licensure, certifications, and mandatory training in compliance with state and organizational requirements.
- Ensure time is allocated in accordance with assigned clinical, surgical, administrative, and academic expectations.
Required Qualifications- Master of Physician Assistant Studies (or equivalent degree) from an accredited Physician Assistant program
- Current, unrestricted Physician Assistant license in the state of practice
- Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- Must possess eligibility for active DEA
- Must possess Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS for HCP). Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification may be required based on clinical assignment
- Credentialing and privileging by the medical staff in accordance with hospital bylaws
- Strong pediatric assessment and clinical decision-making skills.
- Familiarity with pediatric specialty protocols and post-surgical care.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with patients, families, and care teams.
- Proficient in EHR systems and clinical documentation.
- Demonstrated commitment to patient safety, family-centered care, and trauma-informed practice.
Preferred Qualifications- 2+ years of advanced practice clinical experience in a pediatric or pediatric specialty setting preferred. Recent graduates will be considered based on previous experience, training and clinical exposure.
- Experience with pediatric orthopedic, spinal, or craniofacial patient populations preferred
Compensation is determined based on years of relevant experience and departmental equity.
