Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Surgery

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization:

PAMF-Palo Alto Medical Foundation CAD

Position Overview:

Assesses, diagnoses, plans and implements the medical care of patients in collaboration with a physician. Functions within the full scope of licensure; accountable for the assessment, coordination delivery and evaluation of care, including direct patient care, patient/family education and transitions of care. Provides medical consultation including the performance of therapeutic procedures delegated by the supervising physician, assist with various procedures, provides patient education, treatment and follow-up, may complete daily rounds and as needed using an organized multi-disciplinary team approach to provide continuity of care throughout the care continuum. The Physician Assistant's responsibilities may include managing patients in an office, hospital, emergency and/or perioperative setting. Follows ambulatory care and inpatient standardized procedures, protocols, policy and procedures regulated by the State of California Physician Assistant Practice Act.

Job Description:

These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

PATIENT CARE
• Performs patient assessments to include: obtaining basic medical information and history, reviewing patient's medical record, performing physical exam, documenting findings into patient medical record, and reporting deviations from normal findings to attending physician.
• Provides health care services to patients under the direction and responsibility of physician.
• Examines patient, performs comprehensive physical examination, and compiles patient medical data, including health history and results of physical examination.
• Administers or orders diagnostic tests, and interprets test results for deviations from normal.
• Develops and implements patient management plans, records progress notes, and assists in provision of continuity of care.
• Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
• Performs therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, and managing infection.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSABILITIES
• Communicates orally and in writing with patients, physicians and staff as indicated.
• Provides health education and counseling to patients.
• Accurately documents patient encounter data.
• Provides relevant quality assessment and reports.
• Establishes and maintains effective and seamless communication between the practice and patients’ medical providers in order to provide continuity of care.
• Serves as coordinator for patients to access community and other resources necessary for appropriate management of medical and psychosocial factors.

PERFORMANCE AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
• Identifies, reports and contributes to performance improvement activities
• Seeks process improvements consistent with organizational priorities and goals
• Contributes to the development of clinical pathways, updating/maintaining physician order sets and physician preference cards
• Collects and tracks targeted performance improvement data for projects
• Assists with clinical effectiveness studies and projects
SPECIALITY SPECIFIC DUTIES
• PERIOPERATIVE:
◦ Performs first/second assistant responsibilities in accordance with state scope of practice requirements.
◦ Demonstrated knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique relative to operative procedures wherein the PA assists.
◦ Provides care for different types of patients with varying complexity.
◦ Assists in the positioning, skin preparation, and draping of the patient.
◦ Provides hemostasis and wound exposure, handles tissue appropriately to reduce the potential for injury, sutures tissue, and applies dressings to the wound under the direction of the surgeon.
◦ Uses surgical instruments skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose.
• LIVER TRANSPLANT:
◦ Inserts central venous jugular/subclavian catheters or Swan-Ganz catheters under the direct supervision of the supervising physician.
◦ Independently performs procedures include: thoracentesis, paracentesis, wound debridement, arthrocentesis, lumbar puncture, surgical drain removal, chest tube removal, staple removal.
◦ Assists operating room personnel in positioning and padding of the patient on the operating room table.
◦ Assists with all surgical procedures associated with liver transplantation, organ procurement, hepatobiliary surgery, and general surgery of the cirrhotic or post-transplant patients.
◦ Assists with insertion of the Foley catheter, retraction, suction, suturing, following of sutures, dissection, ligation, flushing the donor allograft, use of cautery and opening and closing the incision.

EDUCATION:

Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant program

LICENSURES & CERTIFICATIONS:

PA-Physician Assistant

CSRC-Controlled Substance Registered Certification (DEA) (not required for SHSO-Admin (Employee Health)

BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider

NCCPA-National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants required at hire or within 12 months if hired before 07/10/2025 PAs may not bill for services without NCCPA.

Other - certification based on department requirements

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

2 years of recent relevant experience.

DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC LICENSURES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Memorial Hospital Los Banos;200-Sutter Central Valley Hospitals-Surgical Services: ACLS-Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Menlo Park Surgical Hospital;378-Palo Alto Med Fdn-Hlth,Res&Ed-Surgical Services: ACLS-Advanced Cardiac Life Support

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Demonstrates knowledge of patient care guidelines/policy as evidenced by quality of documentation.

Medical knowledge and skills applicable to perform within the scope of practice.

Thorough knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology.

Working knowledge of electronic health records such as EPIC.

Critical thinking skills as it relates to specialized departments this may include the ability to complete age-appropriate assessments

Communication skills (verbal, written and listening) with ability to work effectively across the organization, especially in situations requiring instructing, persuading, negotiating, consulting and advising.

Technical and analytical skills for analysis and interpretation of test procedures and results in order to determine appropriate correction actions

Interpersonal skills with the ability to work with and collaborate across the organization and with patients and their families as needed

Ability to effectively lead, mentor and/or develop others

Ability to maintain composure during challenging interpersonal interactions

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:
See required physical demands, mental components, visual activities & working conditions at the following link: Job Requirements

Job Shift:

Days

Schedule:

Full Time

Days of the Week:

Monday - Friday

Weekend Requirements:

Rotating Weekends

Benefits:

Yes

Unions:

No

Position Status:

Exempt

Weekly Hours:

40

Employee Status:

Regular

Employees of Sutter Health and its entities may handle hazardous drugs in the course of their work, including patient care, which requires them to manage, store, prepare, receive, unpack, transport, dispose of, or administer drugs identified as hazardous or potentially hazardous by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and in accordance with the USP 800 guidelines.

Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Pay Range is $92.80 to $134.56 / hour

The salary range for this role may vary above or below the posted range as determined by location. This range has not been adjusted for any specific geographic differential applicable by area where the position may be filled. Compensation takes into account several factors including but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure and certifications, department equity, training and organizational needs. Base pay is just one piece of the total rewards program offered by Sutter Health. Eligible roles also qualify for a comprehensive benefits package.