Physician Assistant II, Specialty - Arcadia Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Exempt) (Non-Union)

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Physician Assistant II surgical specialist is a licensed health professional who practices medicine under physician supervision and assists with surgery. The role also supports care coordination, education, clinical practice, and patient care management. The PA works as a leader within the professional team, communicating, planning, and implementing care with surgeons, surgical technologists, pharmacists, office support staff, and other advanced practice providers. Practice is governed by the Physician Assistant Practice Agreement and applicable medical staff and PA certifying and regulating body rules and regulations. The position provides preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care in the orthopaedic surgery clinic and related settings. Surgical assistance, including first-assistant duties such as tissue retraction and suturing, accounts for at least 50% of job accountability. Additional procedures may be performed according to specialty training and privileges approved by the medical staff. The PA obtains patient histories, performs examinations, documents findings and progress, develops and implements management plans, orders and interprets diagnostic and laboratory studies, therapies, medications, and consultations, and coordinates referrals and continuity of care. The role also includes counseling patients and families, supporting quality and process improvement or research, mentoring or precepting physician assistants, and ensuring accurate billing for services rendered.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant Program.
At least 3 years of experience.
Commitment to excellence in patient care and customer service.
Ability to work effectively with physicians, staff, and patients.
Organization and time-management skills.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, planning, and evaluation skills.
Physician Assistant license (California Department of Consumer Affairs).
Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
Fire Life Safety Training (LA City); if not held at hire, it must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained through renewal before expiration (required within LA City only).
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification.
Current Drug Enforcement Administration controlled-substance course certificate, or obtain it within 3 months of hire; DEA certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Justice for Schedule II–V controlled substances.

Nice To Haves

At least 3 years of experience in a surgical specialty.

Responsibilities

Assist the surgeon during procedures and perform first-assistant duties, including tissue retraction and suturing; perform additional duties or procedures as permitted by specialty training and approved privileges.
Obtain detailed and accurate medical histories, perform physical examinations, identify problems, and document findings.
Develop and implement patient management plans, coordinate specialty and social-service referrals, record progress notes, and provide continuity of care before and after surgery.
Order appropriate laboratory, diagnostic, and radiographic studies, procedures, therapies, medications, and consultations.
Perform or interpret common laboratory, radiological, cardiographic, and other routine diagnostic procedures.
Coordinate patients’ preoperative and postoperative care and manage complex illnesses and injuries under physician supervision.
Instruct and counsel patients, and when appropriate their family members, about treatment compliance, daily emotional concerns, and health maintenance.
Facilitate referrals to other health and social-service agencies when appropriate.
Ensure billing for services rendered is completed accurately.
Mentor or precept new or student physician assistants in the department or clinic.
Participate in or lead departmental or clinic quality initiatives, process-improvement projects, or research.
Perform other duties as assigned.