Physician Assistant Orthopedic

Military & Health Research Foundation (MHRF) is seeking a candidate for the Physician Assistant (Orthopedic) position at Ft Hood medical center.

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 nonorthopedic 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

US Citizen

Bachelor's degree.

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

Years of Professional 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.

Professional Certifications

• 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

Education

Bachelor's degree.

Graduate 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.

Additional Information

Must pass TB Test

Subject to a Background/security Investigation

• Willingness to comply with DHA vaccination requirements.
• Willingness to complete a physical examination

Pre-employment Drug Screening

Required to wear PPE during performance of services.

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.

Contract workers should maintain good personal hygiene and present a well-groomed and professional appearance IAW the policy at the place of performance.

The Military & Health Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation dedicated to discovering and transitioning lasting solutions for troops on the battlefield and across civilian healthcare settings. Since 2011, our goal is to ensure that dynamic life-saving technologies with advances in healthcare are readily accessible when the need arises.

MHRF is an EEO Employer - Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.