Experienced Surgical Physician Assistant
Listed compensation
$140K
Listing transparency2 of 6 stated
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.
- Employment & setting
- Full-Time
- Call expectations
- Not specified
- Weekends
- Not specified
Job Description
VSI is the premier Center of Excellence for spinal health care in the Washington, D. C. metropolitan area. We are seeking an experienced Surgical Physician Assistant with 2–5 years of operating room experience to join our highly specialized team of spine surgeons and ten elite Physician Assistants.
This is an opportunity for an accomplished PA who enjoys complex surgery, thrives in a collaborative environment, and wants to practice at the highest level of their profession. You'll work alongside nationally recognized spine surgeons while caring for patients across the full continuum of care—from initial evaluation through surgery and postoperative recovery.
For more than 30 years, VSI has delivered exceptional spine care, improving the lives of over 100,000 patients through an unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and patient-centered outcomes. Our concierge, out-of-network practice prioritizes quality, precision, and individualized care over patient volume.
Why VSI
Elite Surgical Practice: Complex spinal pathology, cutting-edge surgical techniques, and hands-on operative experience utilizing advanced spinal technologies, including robotics, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence
Collaborative Culture: Work alongside experienced surgeons and fellow PAs in a highly supportive environment built on mutual respect, accountability, and shared clinical excellence.
Continuous Professional Growth: Benefit from ongoing education, collaboration, academic opportunities, and exposure to complex pathology that continually expands your clinical expertise.
Concierge-Level Care: Deep patient relationships, thoughtful decision-making, and the time to do things the right way
The Role
As an Experienced Surgical Physician Assistant, you will serve as a key member of the surgical team, managing patients throughout their spine care journey. This position combines a busy surgical practice with outpatient clinical responsibilities and requires strong clinical judgment, excellent communication skills, and a passion for exceptional patient outcomes.
Responsibilities
First-assist responsibilities in complex spinal procedures, including discectomy, disc replacement, spinal fusion, instrumentation, detailed anatomic dissection, and wound closure
Participate in technologically advanced spine surgery incorporating robotics, augmented reality, and AI-driven planning and execution
- Perform comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning for spine patients in the office
- Interpret advanced diagnostic studies including MRI, CT, X-ray, laboratory results, and other imaging
- Educate patients regarding diagnoses, treatment options, surgical procedures, and recovery expectations
- Manage postoperative care, including follow-up visits, medication management, and care coordination
- Collaborate closely with surgeons and multidisciplinary specialists to develop individualized treatment plans
Participate in clinical initiatives focused on quality improvement, innovation, and exceptional patient outcomes
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program
- NCCPA certification
- Active Virginia Physician Assistant license (or eligibility)
2–5 years of Physician Assistant experience with significant operating room and first assist responsibilities required
- Ability to thrive in a high-acuity environment with strong clinical standards and team-based support
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and clinical decision-making skills
- A genuine commitment to excellence in patient care
- This role is ideal for a Physician Assistant who:
- Has built a strong surgical foundation and is ready for a more advanced clinical role
- Enjoys challenging surgical cases and continuous clinical growth
- Values collaboration, accountability, and excellence
- Wants to be part of a nationally recognized spine practice that embraces innovation
- Takes pride in delivering exceptional outcomes and creating an outstanding patient experience
We are intentional about the people we bring onto our team and invest heavily in those who join us. If you are an experienced Surgical Physician Assistant looking to elevate your career while working alongside some of the region's leading spine surgeons, we'd love to hear from you.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Experienced Surgical Physician Assistant at VSI a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Physician Assistant roles — ranked against 4,014 active Physician Assistant roles listings on WeekdayDoc.
Spine Surgery — Physician Assistant Career Context
Of the 50 active Physician Assistant listings this role was benchmarked against, 4% are remote, 66% have no call, 76% require no weekends.
Physician Assistant pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).
The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$140k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $138k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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