Job Description

Job Title: Orthopedic Physician Assistant (PA-C) — Portsmouth, VA

An Orthopedic Physician Assistant (PA-C) works collaboratively with orthopedic surgeons and medical teams to provide high-quality musculoskeletal care. The PA evaluates, diagnoses, treats, and manages orthopedic conditions in both outpatient and inpatient settings, as well as assisting in surgical procedures and post-operative care. This role requires a minimum of 2 years of orthopedic PA experience and strong clinical competence in musculoskeletal medicine.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Evaluation & Treatment

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, including medical history, physical exams, and musculoskeletal evaluations.

• Order, interpret, and follow up on diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and lab work.

• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans for acute and chronic orthopedic conditions (e.g., fractures, sprains, strains, sports injuries, arthritis).

• Manage non-surgical care including joint injections, casting/splinting, wound care, and pain management.

Surgical Support

• Provide pre-operative evaluation and patient education.

• Assist orthopedic surgeons in the operating room (e.g., first or second assist roles, surgical setup, positioning, sterile preparation).

• Participate in post-operative care (dressing changes, suture removal, patient follow-up).

Patient Management & Coordination

• Document patient encounters, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries in the electronic medical record (EMR).

• Coordinate care with physical therapists, specialty consultants, and other healthcare professionals.

• Educate patients and families about diagnoses, treatment expectations, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

Other Duties

• Respond to consults and assist with referral reviews.

• May carry a departmental pager or participate in team rounds depending on the practice setting.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Certification

• Graduate of an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program.

• Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) (PA-C).

• Current, full, and unrestricted PA license in Virginia (or eligible for licensure).

• Basic Life Support (BLS) required; advanced certifications (e.g., ACLS) may be preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of full-time orthopedic PA experience within the last 3 years is strongly preferred or required.

• Hands-on experience with orthopedic clinical practice, diagnostic evaluation, surgical assisting, and post-operative care.

Skills

• Strong clinical knowledge of orthopedic anatomy, pathology, and treatment modalities.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and patient education skills.

• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Typical Work Settings

• Orthopedic clinics, hospitals, surgery centers, or military/medical treatment facilities.

• May involve outpatient clinic hours and scheduled surgical days.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. We do not employ AI tools in our decision-making processes. Regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran. ensures that all employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Our commitment to non-discrimination in employment extends to every location in which our company operates.