Orthopedic Surgery Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (NP/PA)

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).