Physician Assistant

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Physician Assistant provides high-quality orthopedic outpatient and surgical care to patients at OrthoConnecticut. This position maintains an independent office schedule while collaborating with physicians and the broader healthcare team. A physician will be available on premises for consultation and support as needed.

Responsibilities include evaluating and treating new patients and new conditions, providing pre-operative and post-operative care, performing office-based orthopedic procedures, and first-assisting in surgical procedures across multiple orthopedic specialties. The Physician Assistant is responsible for delivering patient-centered care, exercising sound clinical judgment, and maintaining compliance with established clinical protocols and applicable professional standards.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

Orthopedic Clinical Care

• Maintain an independent office schedule, with a physician available on premises for consultation and support as needed.

• Evaluate and treat new patients, new orthopedic conditions, and pre-operative and post-operative patients.

• Work under assigned physicians within their designated orthopedic specialties.

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, establish appropriate treatment plans, and monitor patient progress.

• Order and interpret diagnostic studies, including X-rays and MRIs, consistent with applicable scope-of-practice requirements and clinical protocols.

• Perform office-based orthopedic procedures, including joint injections, aspirations, casting, splinting, and bracing.

• Prescribe medications and recommend braces and other orthopedic devices in accordance with applicable laws, clinical guidelines, and scope of practice.

• Educate patients regarding diagnoses, treatment options, procedures, medications, rehabilitation, and follow-up care.

• Accurately and promptly document patient assessments, treatments, and other relevant clinical information in the electronic medical record (EMR).

Surgical First-Assisting Responsibilities

• Provide surgical first-assisting support, scheduling based on practice needs and clinical assignments.

• First-assist in surgical procedures performed by various surgeons within the practice, including sports medicine, spine, upper extremity, and total joint procedures.

• Participate in surgical cases and support appropriate pre-operative and post-operative patient care.

• Collaborate with surgeons, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals to promote patient safety and effective surgical outcomes.

• Maintain required credentials and clinical privileges at two surgery centers and two hospitals, as applicable to assigned responsibilities.

Communication, Compliance, and Professional Practice

• Communicate effectively with physicians, clinical staff, patients, and other members of the healthcare team.

• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy laws, healthcare regulations, organizational policies, and professional standards.

• Exercise sound clinical judgment and maintain professional composure in emergent, challenging, or stressful situations.

• Maintain current professional certifications, licensure, and required clinical credentials.

• Perform other related duties as assigned or required to support the needs of the practice.

SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS

• Full-time schedule consistent with the clinical and operational needs of the practice.

• No on-call requirements.

• No weekend requirements.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong clinical judgment, critical-thinking skills, and attention to detail.

• Ability to apply orthopedic principles to patient evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with physicians and the broader healthcare team.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced orthopedic clinical and surgical environment while maintaining high standards of patient care.

• Proficiency with electronic medical record (EMR) systems and clinical documentation.

• Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and manage multiple clinical demands effectively.

• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, adaptability, and commitment to patient safety and quality care.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Education

• Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant program.

• A master's degree in Physician Assistant studies is preferred.

Experience

• Previous orthopedic experience is preferred but not required.

• Qualified candidates without prior orthopedic experience may be considered for training.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE

• Current certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

• Current and valid Physician Assistant license issued by the State of Connecticut.

• Current certifications and credentials required by OrthoConnecticut, affiliated hospitals, and surgery centers.

• Completion of continuing education and maintenance of all credentials necessary to sustain active certification, licensure, and applicable clinical privileges.