Physician Assistant - Hip Preservation

Gillette Children's•Saint Paul, MN

10d

About The Position

Seeking a Physician Assistant with a strong interest in hip preservation to join our orthopedic team. This role works closely with an orthopedic surgeon providing comprehensive care to patients from infancy through young adulthood. Responsibilities include inpatient management, outpatient clinic support, and participation in operative care. This PA will work directly with Dr. Allison Dittmer to further the work of the Hip Preservation Subspeciality. The provider will have independent clinics, inpatient rounding as well as be a first assist in the OR with Dr. Dittmer. Purpose of Position: The Hip Preservation PAC provides family centered care for patients with acute and chronic hip conditions, offering health maintenance guidance, disease prevention support, and assistance navigating the care system. This role is well suited for a clinician interested in musculoskeletal medicine, athletics, and caring for adolescents and young adults with hip pathology. Working closely with the attending hip preservation surgeon and multidisciplinary team, the PAC supports a high volume practice serving patients from infancy through adulthood, with emphasis on teenage athletes. Responsibilities include assessing and managing hip injuries and conditions; performing procedures; ordering and interpreting diagnostics; prescribing treatments; and developing care plans across inpatient, outpatient, and surgical settings. The position offers a balanced mix of operating room assistance, independent clinical practice, and coordination of care pathways. The PAC collaborates with Gillette physicians and multidisciplinary team to strengthen hip preservation services and deliver high quality, mission aligned patient care.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Current PA certification and state licensure (or eligibility).
BLS/ACLS certification.
Strong clinical assessment and decision making skills.
Excellent communication abilities, particularly with adolescents and families.
Successfully pass the written generalist examination every 10 years per NCCPA guidelines.

Nice To Haves

Experience in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, or musculoskeletal care.
PA Fellowship
Interest or background in athletics, adolescent sports injury, or hip biomechanics.
Experience interpreting radiographs, CT, and MRI related to hip pathology, or interest in 
Comfort working in a fast paced, high-volume clinical environment.

Responsibilities

Independently evaluate new patients presenting with hip pain, including history-taking, physical examination, ordering and interpreting imaging, and formulating preliminary assessments and treatment plans.
Conduct postoperative follow-up visits and monitor patient recovery, including wound checks, rehabilitation guidance, and reassessment of symptoms.
Participate in multidisciplinary care for adolescent athletes, including coordination with physical therapy, athletic trainers, radiology, and sports medicine colleagues.
Manage ongoing clinical needs such as medication renewals, bracing needs, durable medical equipment, and patient communication through the electronic medical record.
Assist the attending surgeon in the operating room for hip arthroscopy, periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), open hip procedures, and related hip preservation surgeries.
Provide perioperative patient care including preop evaluation, postop rounding, pain management, and discharge planning.
Co-manage postoperative inpatients following major hip preservation procedures, which may include rounding with orthopedic surgeon, progress notes, coordination with nursing/therapy, and patient/family education.
Facilitate smooth transitions of care between inpatient and outpatient settings.
Support efficient daily flow of a busy hip preservation practice, including triaging patient messages, reviewing imaging, coordinating care plans, and optimizing clinic throughput.
Collaborate with schedulers and clinical staff to manage high-volume clinic and surgical schedules.
Participate in quality improvement, clinical protocols, and education initiatives within the practice.