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. 

Responsibilities

• 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

Requirements

**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.

**Key Responsibilities:**

*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.

**Required Skills and Experience:**
- 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).