Physician Assistant (Orthopedic Surgery)

Resolution Think is seeking a skilled Physician Assistant (Orthopedic Surgery) position at Carl R Darnall Army Medical Center located at Fort Hood, near Killeen, TX. This role will support orthopedic specialty care by evaluating and managing musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, assisting with procedures, coordinating treatment plans, documenting care accurately, and collaborating closely with orthopedic surgeons and multidisciplinary teams.

The ideal candidate will bring recent hands-on orthopedic experience, strong clinical judgment, professionalism, and the ability to provide safe, patient-centered care in both clinic and hospital-based settings. Candidates should be comfortable working flexible shifts based on mission needs, including possible days, evenings, nights, weekends, training holidays, federal holidays, and adjusted schedules.

This opportunity is well suited for a dependable PA who values teamwork, continuity of care, and service in a mission-focused military treatment facility.

Essential Functions and Job Responsibilities

Provide a full range of Physician Assistant services in primary and specialty medical care within the limits of their training and privileges granted by the MTF (e. g., supervise and provide general screening and medical care and examinations of patients for routine, acute and chronic conditions involving any and all organ systems; provide immunizations; diagnose, treat, and counsel patients as indicated).

Technically direct and provide care for a variety of diseases and types of injuries (i. e., acute, chronic and minor trauma), and the skills to recognize emergency conditions in order to diagnose, prescribe for and treat diseases, disorders and injuries, and refer the more complex cases and serious conditions to qualified medical personnel and perform designated treatment.

Technically direct and teach other staff, provide educational lectures and participate in in-service training to staff members.

Promote preventive care and health maintenance including annual physical, positive health behaviors and self-care through both formal and individual education and counseling.

Prescribe in accordance with approved treatment protocols and the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee approved medications and immunizations

Identify a medical problem and determine appropriate action to meet the problem, including referral to a physician.

• Perform specific diagnostic and therapeutic practices and procedures in accordance with scope of practice.
• Establish collaborative rapport with physicians, nursing and others to promote and facilitate primary care services.
• Teach patients and family members’ healthy regimen and responsibility for achieving wellness.
• Attend staff meetings to provide case discussion, continuing education, and continuous quality improvement.

Includes, but not limited to: Aviation Medicine; Cardiac Perfusion; Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery; Emergency Medicine; Family Medicine; General Surgery; Hospital Medicine; Nephrology; Occupational Health; Orthopedic Surgery; Pediatrics; Psychiatry.

Knowledge of a full range of orthopedic physician assistant core principles, practices, and procedures applied in providing services in the orthopedic clinic to adult and pediatric patients.

Specialized knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology; orthopedic equipment, methods, procedures, principles and techniques to include traction, casting and splinting.

Ability to assess and treat acute presentations to include infections, fractures, neoplasms, and congenital deformities.

Ability to assume responsibility for consultation from various non-orthopedic trained physicians and PAs regarding the diagnosis, care, and referral time of orthopedic patients.

Knowledge and the ability to perform reductions of fractures and dislocations with the use of appropriate anesthesia (i. e. hematoma blocks, digital blocks, nerve blocks). Able to perform arthrocentesis independently.

Responds to the Emergency Department for orthopedic injuries. Ability to function as a first assistant to an orthopedic surgeon in the operating room.

Knowledge of, and ability to perform minor surgical procedures such as wound closure, pin removal, compartment pressure measuring and monitoring.

Knowledge of and ability to perform surgical procedures to include incision and debridement, nail extraction, and orthopedic hardware removal.

• Perform injections/aspirations of various joints.
• Order and interpret skeletal radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, bone scans, arthrograms, and electromyography.
• Perform adequate/appropriate work-up in evaluating potential surgical candidates.
• Make daily inpatient ward rounds and enter progress notes in the inpatient chart.
• Provide preventive care to healthy individuals including guidance in nutrition, common illnesses, child growth and development.
• Design rehabilitation programs for patients.
• Offer palliative treatment to chronic orthopedic conditions.
• Counsel patients, families, and groups in general orthopedic care.

Conduct and dictate medical histories and physical examinations, and discharge summaries on orthopedic inpatients.

Use sound judgment in determining whether the orthopedic patients’ condition requires referral or consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.

Knowledge of orthopedic field and ability to develop lecture or journal articles to the Orthopedic Clinic.

Technically direct and provide care for a variety of diseases and types of injuries (i. e., acute, chronic and minor trauma), and the skills to recognize emergency conditions to diagnose, prescribe for and treat diseases, disorders and injuries, and refer the more complex cases and serious conditions to qualified medical personnel and perform designated treatment. Technically direct and teach other staff, provide educational lectures and participate in in-service training to staff members.

Prescribe in accordance with approved treatment protocols and the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee approved medications and immunizations.

Identify a medical problem and determine appropriate action to meet the problem, including referral to a physician.

• Perform specific diagnostic and therapeutic practices and procedures in accordance with scope of practice.
• Establish collaborative rapport with physicians, nursing, and others to promote and facilitate primary care services.
• Attend staff meetings to provide case discussion, continuing education, and continuous quality improvement.

Performs a variety of physical examinations such as school, employment, sports, annual, retirement, discharge, reenlistment, disability separation or retirement, or other special physicals.

Refers high-risk, unstable, or extremely complex patients to the physicians and emergency medicine. When required, performs emergency care as appropriate.

Treats a broad range of patients to include pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients in specialty areas.

Minimum Requirements

Citizenship: US Citizenship required

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university certified by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)

Specialty PAs must complete residency or fellowship training of 12 months or more in a medical specialty program acceptable to the DHA or have at least one year experience within the last two years, post-graduation, routinely practicing as an Orthopedic PA.

Experience: Possess one (1) year of post-education/graduation and post licensure clinical experience within the last two (2) years providing direct care and routinely practicing as an Orthopedic PA in orthopedic medicine.

Complete Residency or Fellowship Training

• Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a Physician Assistant.
• Possess BLS, NPI, DEA registration number
• Possess one (1) year of post-education/graduation and post licensure clinical experience

Professional Certification (S)

• Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician’s Assistants (NCCPA).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a Physician Assistant.
• National Provider Identifier (NPI) from CMMS
• Basic Life Support (BLS) by AHA or American Red Cross
• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registration number

Additional Information

Medical Screening: Must have appropriate TB test documentation within the last year; willingness to comply with DHA vaccination and physical screening requirements.

Employment Screening: Subject to a background/security investigation and pre-employment drug screening

Physical Requirements: Walking, long periods of standing, stretching, crouching, bending, stooping, lifting to 50lbs, lifting over 50lbs with assistance.

Exposure to infections disease; toxic, hazardous, or irritating chemicals; carcinogenic materials; noxious fumes; flammable liquids; radiation; pathogenic bacteria; electric hazards.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Disability/Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. As an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, Resolution Think is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all job seekers.