Physician Assistant Surgical (Pedi Surgery)

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

The Surgical Physician Assistant provides advanced surgical patient care under the supervision of a surgeon in a specialized surgical setting. Responsibilities include assessing and treating patients, performing delegated minor surgical procedures, managing pre- and post-operative care, conducting physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, monitoring patient progress, documenting care, educating patients, assisting with treatment planning, responding to emergencies, and supporting physicians with clinical decision-making and patient management.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

Provides advanced medical care to patients, in a surgical setting, in one or more specialized surgical areas under the direction of a surgeon.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Conducts complex, standardized patient care procedures which require experience and specialized training which would otherwise be performed by a physician but which do not constitute the practice of medicine.
• Assesses patient's medical complaints and provides appropriate treatment.
• Performs minor surgical procedures as delegated by the supervising physician.
• Manages pre-operative and post-operative patients in coordination with the faculty supervising physician.
• Utilizes advanced assessment skills to anticipate complex patient problems specific to surgery while communicating information to supervising / attending physician.
• Assists in collecting patient histories.
• Performs physical examinations and provides episodic care or problem oriented care under the supervision of a physician.
• Orders appropriate laboratory tests and interprets the laboratory data such as blood and urine samples.
• Monitors the treatment program of the patient to inform the attending physician of pertinent medical/surgical information.
• Provides guidance and instruction to patients on preventive health care or postsurgical care.
• Assists physicians in formulating therapeutic decisions.
• Enters chart documentation for review and counter signature by the physician.
• Prepares and cares for supplies and equipment.
• Responds to emergency situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Proficient in the use of medical and surgical instruments and equipment required by work.
• Manages Human Resources activities of department in regards to: recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
• Work may involve handling biohazardous, chemical, and radiological materials, as well as operating associated equipment. Required safety training and appropriate engineering and administrative controls including the use of personal protective equipment must be followed.
• Physician Assistant - Certified (PA-C) by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) required
• Basic Life Support (BLS) by American Heart Association (AHA) required
• Clinical specialty certification determined by the department required

Minimum Education:

Master's Degree as Physician Assistant required
Bachelor's Degree as Physician Assistant with at least two years of professional experience in the role is acceptable based on terminal degree requirements at the time of graduation required

Minimum Experience:

Previous experience in a surgical specialty preferred

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Veteran Information:

Military occupations that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include but are not limited to: 0904, 0963, 1976, 46Y1C, 46Y1H, 66B, 66C, 4A0X1, 46YX, 65D, 230X, PHA10, 42GX, 66P, 66R, 290X.

For a complete list please visit www.uthealth-veterans.jobs.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.