Advanced Practice Provider- Orthopaedic Sports Medicine & Spine Surgery

Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies PC•Fort Collins, CO

About The Position

Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR) is seeking a dedicated Advanced Practice Provider (Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner) to join the practice of Patrik Suwak, DO, a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon. Dr. Suwak treats adolescent and adult patients with spinal conditions, including disc herniations, radiculopathy, sciatica, myelopathy, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal fractures. His approach emphasizes understanding patients’ lifestyles and goals, prioritizing conservative treatment, and considering surgery when appropriate. His surgical training includes minimally invasive and traditional techniques, computer navigation, and robotic technology. The APP will work closely with Dr. Suwak in clinic and surgical settings, supporting patients throughout evaluation, treatment, and recovery. The ideal candidate is compassionate, proactive, detail-oriented, and committed to developing expertise in spine care while helping patients make informed treatment decisions. The role includes clinical and surgical duties within the APP’s scope of practice and clinical privileges, as well as hospital rounding and discharge planning as required by the practice.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner program.
Current national certification as a Physician Assistant (NCCPA) or Nurse Practitioner through the appropriate certifying body, and licensed or eligible for licensure in Colorado.
Strong assessment, communication, organizational, and patient education skills.
Attention to detail, initiative, and a commitment to providing compassionate, efficient, high-quality care.
Ability to manage competing priorities and follow through on patient care needs in a busy clinical and surgical practice.
A collaborative approach to helping patients understand their options and participate in treatment decisions.
Commitment to developing expertise in spine care through ongoing learning and continuing professional education.
Ability to perform clinical and surgical duties involving prolonged standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, and reaching.
Ability to assist with patient positioning and transfers using appropriate body mechanics and available assistance.
Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination sufficient to perform examinations, assist in surgery, and use clinical equipment.
Ability to use electronic medical records, standard office equipment, and medical instruments.
Ability to manage the demands of a busy practice and communicate effectively with patients experiencing pain, anxiety, or stress.
Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Prior clinical and surgical orthopaedic or neurosurgical experience, particularly in spine care, is preferred.

Responsibilities

First assist in spine surgery, including minimally invasive and traditional procedures.
Evaluate clinic patients, obtain medical histories, perform physical and neurologic examinations, and support treatment planning.
Perform preoperative histories and physicals and postoperative follow-up visits.
Order and review diagnostic studies, including imaging and laboratory tests, and communicate findings and next steps to patients.
Support conservative treatment plans, including medication management, physical therapy referrals, and coordination with other treating providers.
Prescribe medications and monitor treatment response as appropriate.
Recognize and promptly communicate new or worsening neurologic symptoms, postoperative concerns, and other changes requiring physician evaluation.
Perform wound assessments, dressing changes, suture or staple removal, and other procedures as trained and authorized.
Educate patients and families about spinal conditions, treatment options, surgical preparation, recovery expectations, activity restrictions, and rehabilitation.
Respond to patient questions regarding symptoms, test results, surgery, and postoperative recovery.
Coordinate with medical assistants, surgery schedulers, therapists, and other care team members to support timely, consistent care.
Complete accurate and timely clinical notes, histories and physicals, orders, discharge summaries, and other documentation.
Support hospital rounding and discharge planning as required by the practice, communicating changes in patient status to Dr. Suwak.
Maintain and expand knowledge of spinal conditions, conservative treatment, and spine surgery through continuing education, professional literature, and conferences.