Physician Assistant Surgical - Ortho

Physician AssistantFull-Time

Listed compensation

$85k-$145k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assists physician in surgical procedures. Examines patient, performs comprehensive physical examination, and compiles patient medical data, including health history and results of physical examination.

Administers or orders diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests, and interprets test results for deviations from normal. Performs therapeutic procedures such as injections, immunization, suturing and wound care, and managing infection.

Provides care for simple fractures, sprains, and strains to stabilize and restore musculoskelatal function. Develops and implements patient management plans, records progress notes, and assists in provision of continuity of care.

Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.

Culture of Excellence Behavior Expectations

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations:

Quality - Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals.

Service - Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions.

Partnering - Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals.

Cost - Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue.

Education and Experience

Accredited schooling through a Physician Assistant Degree Program.

Certification and Licensure

Current Certified status through National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants(NCCPA). Obtain CME experience as required for re-certification by NCCPA. Hold valid state license and CME credits for license renewal. Other certification/licensure as required by contract.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to work independently and under pressure. Good communication/interpretive skills. Excellent analytical skills. Works requires a high level of independent judgement. The position has substantial latitude for independent action.

Special Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear and must have near acuity with occasional use of color vision. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move patients and equipment. This is heavy work exerting 50 to 100 lbs of force occasionally or 25 to 50 lbs of force frequently.

Level of Supervision

Indirectly supervises the Nursing staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include assigning and directing work.

Supervises

Indirectly supervises the Nursing staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include assigning and directing work.

Pay Range

$85,280.00 - $144,976.00

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

  • Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Life & Disability Insurance
  • FSA/HSA Options
  • Generous, accruing paid time off
  • Paid Parental and caregiver leave
  • Career advancement and educational opportunities
  • Tuition and certification reimbursement
  • Certification Reimbursement
  • Well-being Programs
  • Employee Discounts
  • On-Demand Pay
  • Financial Education
  • Annual recognition/awards events
  • Partner appreciation days
  • Family entertainment/attractions discount

Community Service/improvement Opportunities

Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information.

At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

#1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50

  • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers
  • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

Key Responsibilities

The Physician Assistant assists surgeons in procedures, performs comprehensive physical examinations, and manages patient care plans. They also interpret diagnostic tests, perform therapeutic procedures like suturing, and provide patient education regarding therapeutic regimens.

Requirements

Candidates must have completed an accredited Physician Assistant degree program and hold current certification from the NCCPA. A valid state license and the ability to perform heavy physical work, including lifting patients, are required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Surgical assistanceDiagnostic testingOrthopedicsIndependent judgmentCommunication skillsTime managementClinical documentationPatient counselingInfection management

Orthopedic Surgery — Physician Assistant Career Context

Of the 50 active Orthopedic Surgery listings this role was benchmarked against, 6% are remote, 72% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

Orthopedic Surgery pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.1% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Orthopedic Surgery by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$85k–$145kOrthopedic Surgery median $126k (middle half $110k–$155k)42 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$122k in purchasing powerWisconsin index 94.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Work settingon-sitepeers: 6% remote · 72% no call · 64% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedUS Physician Assistant listings: 21% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 6% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
Orthopedic Surgery hiring demand#4 of 6 specialtiespostings stay open a median 45 days · 9% state a sign-on bonusWeekdayDoc Hiring Index, October 2026 · 77 postings, 149 closed
New Orthopedic Surgery listings336 in the last 30 days243 the 30 days before (+38%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Orthopedic Surgery pay trend+1.1% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), WeekdayDoc Hiring Index; as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Physician Assistant Jobs

26 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

26 jobs · 14 employers
9
<$140k
5
$140k-165k
6
$165k-190k
4
$190k-215k
2
$215k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

26 jobs · 14 employers
401k / retirement match
85% this job
CME allowance
65% this job
Sign-on bonus
58%
Relocation assistance
12%
Loan repayment
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Clinical Director, Physician Assistant

Pine Park Health · San Francisco, California

$200k-$240k
#2

Outpatient Advanced Practice Provider (APP), Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant/Associates

Oregon Health & Science University · Portland, Oregon

$172k-$229k
#3

Clinic Director - Physician Assistant (PA-C) or Nurse Practitioner (NP)

$210k
#4

Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) - Bangor/Brewer, ME

$110k-$200k
+ 24 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 1.5
Below most Orthopedic Surgery (PA) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 310 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois logo

About Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois

Hospitals and Health Care
Rockford, Illinois
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, Dental, Vision
Life & Disability Insurance
FSA/HSA Options
Generous accruing PTO
Paid Parental and caregiver leave
Tuition and certification reimbursement
Well-being Programs
Employee Discounts

Living in Janesville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$297k≈ 3.5× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,165/mo≈ 16% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
93.7
State income tax
Up to 7.7%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Janesville-Beloit, WI metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.