Orthopedic Physician Assistant

Location: Moab, UT

Job :419

# of Openings:1

The Orthopedic Physician Assistant is an advanced practice provider who works in close collaboration with the orthopedic surgeon and multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive musculoskeletal care across the continuum: clinic, inpatient, emergency department, and operating room. This role includes independent and team-based responsibilities in diagnosis, non-operative management, perioperative care, and longitudinal follow-up for patients with acute injuries and chronic joint conditions.

Moab Regional Hospital (MRH) is a 17-bed, not-for-profit, critical access hospital serving Moab and the greater southeastern Utah region, known for its high volume of outdoor recreation–related injuries and active lifestyle population. The Orthopedic PA will be integral to building and sustaining a high-quality orthopedic program that supports patients seeking to return to work, sport, and the activities they love in and around Moab, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.

• Perform comprehensive orthopedic assessments including detailed histories, focused musculoskeletal physical examinations, and functional assessments in clinic, ED, and inpatient settings.
• Formulate differential diagnoses and evidence‑based treatment plans for fractures, sprains, tendon and ligament injuries, arthritis, sports injuries, and other joint disorders within the PA scope of practice.
• Order, review, and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies such as radiographs, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and laboratory tests, and communicate results and implications to patients and families.

• First‑assist in orthopedic surgical procedures, including fracture fixation, arthroscopy, joint reconstruction, and soft‑tissue procedures, in accordance with hospital privileging and state regulations.
• Perform office and bedside procedures such as fracture reduction, casting and splinting, wound closure, joint aspirations and injections, tendon sheath injections, and basic bedside debridement as credentialed.
• Participate in all phases of perioperative care, including pre‑op evaluation, optimization and informed consent support, postoperative rounding, pain management, DVT prophylaxis, early mobilization, and discharge planning.

• Manage post‑operative and non‑operative follow‑up visits, monitor recovery and rehabilitation progress, adjust treatment plans, and elevate to the surgeon when indicated.
• Collaborate closely with physical and occupational therapy, athletic trainers, case management, primary care, and other specialists to ensure coordinated, patient‑centered care.
• Provide high‑quality patient and family education regarding diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, rehabilitation protocols, and return‑to‑activity timelines, using language appropriate to varied health literacy levels.

• Participate in shared orthopedic call coverage, including ED consults, inpatient consults, and urgent add‑on clinic access, consistent with MRH medical staff bylaws and service line requirements.
• Support timely triage of walk‑in and referral patients, including visiting athletes and tourists, to maintain efficient access for a high‑demands outdoor recreation community.

• Document all patient encounters, procedures, and communications accurately and contemporaneously in the electronic medical record (EMR), adhering to regulatory, billing, and coding standards.
• Participate in quality improvement, clinical protocols, and evidence‑based order set development for the orthopedic program, with attention to patient safety, infection…