General DescriptionThe Surgical Physician Assistant provides perioperative and intraoperative support to the Orthopedic Surgeon, with primary responsibility for surgical first-assist duties and continuity of care surrounding orthopedic procedures. This role is dedicated to the surgical setting and does not maintain a routine outpatient clinic schedule.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily:
- Function as first assistant in orthopedic surgical procedures under the supervision and direction of the Orthopedic Surgeon, consistent with licensure, privileges, and applicable regulations;
- Assist with patient positioning, preparation and draping, exposure, retraction, hemostasis, wound closure, dressing application, and other intraoperative tasks as directed by the surgeon;
- Complete preoperative patient assessments and histories and physicals (H&Ps), review relevant diagnostic studies and laboratory results, and identify issues requiring physician review prior to surgery;
- Participate in perioperative patient management, including preoperative and postoperative orders, medication management, and coordination of care within the scope of practice;
- Provide postoperative evaluation and management of surgical patients, including hospital or facility rounding when assigned, wound assessment, dressing changes, and communication of changes in patient condition to the supervising physician;
- Provide patient and family education related to surgical procedures, postoperative care, medications, activity restrictions, durable medical equipment, and discharge instructions;
- Complete operative, perioperative, and other required clinical documentation accurately and within established timeframes;
- Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing staff, surgical technologists, and other members of the perioperative team to support safe, efficient surgical care;
- Maintain required credentials, competencies, privileges, and knowledge of orthopedic surgical procedures, sterile technique, infection prevention, and perioperative safety standards;
- Carry out other surgical and perioperative duties and responsibilities as needed or assigned.
Qualifications- Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program with current New York State licensure required;
- Current NCCPA certification and required prescriptive authority/registrations, as applicable;
- Current BLS certification required; ACLS certification may be required based on surgical facility requirements;
- Orthopedic surgical and/or operating room experience strongly preferred; demonstrated surgical first-assist skills preferred;
- Knowledge of sterile technique, perioperative workflow, orthopedic procedures, and postoperative patient management;
- Proficiency with electronic medical record systems and required clinical documentation;
- Excellent clinical judgment, communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.
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