Instructor – Physician Assistant (Orthopedic Sports Medicine)

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics is hiring a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty Physician Assistant to join Dr. Rachel Frank’s academic orthopedic sports medicine, joint preservation, and sports surgery practice. The role is part of an expanding multidisciplinary clinical team caring for patients with athletic injuries, knee and shoulder conditions, and other sports-related musculoskeletal disorders. The PA will work with Dr. Frank, other advanced practice providers, clinical staff, and trainees to support patient access, high-quality care, and continuity across outpatient, operative, and postoperative settings. This is an onsite clinical position in the Denver metropolitan area. Practice locations may include CU Sports Medicine facilities, Highlands Ranch Hospital, Cherry Creek Medical Center, Broomfield, and other affiliated orthopedic practice or surgical sites. The schedule is expected to be primarily weekdays, with occasional early starts, evening commitments, or weekend clinical responsibilities as needed. Independent call is not assumed in the posting. The position includes outpatient evaluation and management, perioperative care and surgical assistance, nonsurgical treatment and procedures, care coordination, clinical documentation, and participation in academic and professional activities. Research and scholarly activities may be available depending on practice needs and faculty interest. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited Physician Assistant program and must hold or be eligible for Colorado PA licensure by the start date, hold NCCPA certification (PA-C) by the start date, and have current BLS certification. The PA must be able to obtain ACLS if required by assigned clinical privileges and maintain required credentials, privileges, prescribing authorization, licensure, certification, and institutional training. The anticipated hiring range is $111,010 to $147,846 annually at 1.0 FTE.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant program.
Current or eligibility for Colorado PA licensure by the start date.
NCCPA certification (PA-C) by the start date.
Current BLS certification.
Ability to obtain ACLS if required by assigned clinical privileges.
Ability to obtain and maintain required hospital or health-system credentials, privileges, and prescribing authorization as applicable.
Maintain active licensure, certification, clinical privileges, and required institutional training.
Comply with applicable clinical partner policies, including medical surveillance and vaccination requirements.
Strong musculoskeletal assessment and clinical decision-making skills, including sound judgment about when to escalate to a physician.
Effective teamwork, communication, organization, and patient-centered service.
Ability to work across clinic and surgical sites and adapt to changing schedules.

Nice To Haves

Experience in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, musculoskeletal care, or an operative specialty.
Experience in perioperative care and surgical first-assisting.
Familiarity with Epic, clinical documentation, patient education, and multidisciplinary care coordination.
New graduates with relevant clinical rotations and strong musculoskeletal preparation may be considered.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and manage new and established patients with acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including sports-related knee and shoulder injuries; obtain histories, perform examinations, develop differential diagnoses and treatment plans, order and interpret diagnostic studies within scope, and identify cases requiring physician consultation.
Manage assigned follow-up, postoperative, and appropriately selected new-patient visits through independent or parallel PA clinics as experience and privileges permit.
Coordinate with Dr. Frank and other team APPs to support patient access, continuity of care, timely escalation of complex cases, and efficient clinic operations.
Complete preoperative assessments, patient counseling, and surgical preparation, and provide postoperative follow-up.
Assist Dr. Frank in the operating room, including surgical first-assist responsibilities when privileged; support perioperative orders, medication reconciliation, discharge planning, wound assessments, and postoperative complication triage.
Provide conservative orthopedic treatment and patient education, including rehabilitation and return-to-activity guidance.
Order appropriate physical or occupational therapy, imaging, medications, orthoses, bracing, and durable medical equipment.
Perform joint aspirations, injections, wound care, dressing changes, and splinting or casting as clinically appropriate; perform ultrasound-guided procedures only with required training and privileges.
Review test results, respond to patient portal messages and telephone concerns, facilitate referrals, coordinate with physical therapists and multidisciplinary partners, and communicate patient-status changes to Dr. Frank.
Support coverage and handoffs across clinic and surgery and, when assigned, inpatient or emergency-department consultation settings.
Maintain complete and timely Epic documentation, close encounters, provide coding-support documentation, issue prescriptions and orders within authority, and complete administrative forms such as work or school restrictions and FMLA paperwork.
Follow patient safety, infection prevention, privacy, regulatory, and clinical-practice standards, and collaborate with clinic staff to maintain effective workflows.
Participate in orthopedic sports medicine conferences; educate medical students, residents, fellows, and PA learners as appropriate; contribute to patient education materials, clinical protocols, and quality-improvement work; and participate in community or athletic-event outreach when assigned.
Participate in research and scholarly activities when available, according to practice needs and faculty interest.