Orthopedic Surgery Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (NP​/PA)

Description

This contract position is an excellent opportunity for healthcare professionals looking to contribute to high-quality orthopedic care in a collaborative and dynamic environment.

In this on‑site role, you will play a critical part in providing comprehensive care to patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. You will work closely with a team of surgeons and healthcare professionals, assisting in surgical procedures, managing pre- and post‑operative care, and facilitating communication between patients and the healthcare team.

• Assist in orthopedic surgical procedures, ensuring patient safety and comfort
• Conduct patient assessments and develop tailored care plans
• Monitor and manage patient recovery and response to treatments
• Educate patients and families about orthopedic conditions and post‑operative care
• Collaborate with surgeons and healthcare professionals for optimal patient outcomes
• Document patient care activities and maintain accurate medical records
• Participate in continuous education and training to stay current with best practices
• Provide pre‑operative and post‑operative care to enhance recovery

Position: Orthopedic Surgery Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (NP/PA)

Coverage Period: October – March, potential for extension.

Work Environment: Hospital setting.

Schedule: 4x10 hour shifts per week with an expectation to work every other weekend.

As First Assist:

• Engage in complex spine surgeries, including:
  • Multi‑level posterior spinal fusions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral)
  • Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), including multi‑level cases
  • Lumbar interbody fusions (TLIF, PLIF, ALIF, XLIF)
  • Adult spinal deformity corrections (scoliosis, kyphosis, sagittal imbalance)
  • Revision spine surgeries (hardware removal, pseudoarthrosis repair, adjacent segment disease)
  • Spinal tumor resections and stabilization
  • Complex decompression surgeries involving multilevel laminectomy, foraminotomy, and facetectomy
  • Trauma‑related stabilization (fractures, dislocations)
  • Minimally invasive procedures requiring advanced instrument handling and visualization
  • Instrumented fusion cases using navigation, robotics, or fluoroscopy
• Preoperative Duties:
  • Review patient history, imaging studies, and surgical plans in collaboration with the attending surgeon.
  • Ensure availability of necessary instruments, implants, and equipment for intricate cases.
  • Participate in surgical site verification and time‑out protocols.
• Intraoperative Duties:
  • Provide dynamic retraction for optimal visualization in deep operative fields.
  • Assist in localization and confirmation of operative levels using fluoroscopic guidance.
  • Maintain hemostasis through appropriate techniques and equipment.
  • Facilitate placement of instrumentation (e.g., pedicle screws, rods) under the surgeon's guidance.
  • Support positioning of interbody devices and grafts.
  • Anticipate the surgeon’s needs to sustain operative flow during extended, complex surgeries.
  • Execute multi‑layer wound closure, encompassing fascia closure, deep and superficial tissue approximation, and skin closure (sutures, staples, or alternative techniques).
  • Adhere to strict sterile techniques and patient safety protocols.
• Postoperative Duties:
  • Apply dressings and manage wound care at the case's conclusion.
  • Assist with immediate postoperative orders and documentation.
  • Facilitate handoff communication to PACU and inpatient care teams.

• Proven experience as a surgical first assist in spine procedures.
• Proficient in multi‑level exposure and complex wound closure techniques, including fascia.
• Strong knowledge of spinal anatomy, instrumentation, and surgical methodologies.
• Capability to perform effectively in high‑acuity, long‑duration surgical settings.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary surgical team.

Call

Schedule:

Potential pager call after hours to support urgent surgical cases.

Patient Load: Estimated 2‑3 patients per day, contingent on case complexity.

Team Composition: Multiple providers per shift, with additional support staff.

EMR System: EPIC.

Certifications Required/Accepted:

• Board Certified NP or PA, BLS, ACLS (American Hospital Association), and First Assist Certification (if NP).