Physician Assistant - Orthopedic Surgery

? Vaccination Requirement: Preferred – will consider waivers ? Specialty: Orthopedic Surgery Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (NP/PA) ? # of FTE’s: 1 ? Site Name and Location: Kaiser Permanente – Downey Medical Center ? Reason for Coverage: Vacancy until hired perm starts in spring/summer ? Coverage Dates: October – March, with possible extension ? Setting: Hospital ? Shifts/Schedule Expectations: 4X10/wk includes every other weekend ? Daily Responsibilities: The first assist will participate in a wide range of complex spine procedures, including but not limited to: • Multi-level posterior spinal fusions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral) • Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), including multi-level cases • Lumbar interbody fusion procedures (TLIF, PLIF, ALIF, XLIF) • Adult spinal deformity correction (scoliosis, kyphosis, sagittal imbalance) • Revision spine surgery (hardware removal, pseudoarthrosis repair, adjacent segment disease) • Spinal tumor resections and stabilization procedures • Complex decompression procedures involving multilevel laminectomy, foraminotomy, and facetectomy • Trauma-related spine stabilization (fractures, dislocations) • Minimally invasive spine procedures requiring advanced instrument handling and visualization support • Instrumented fusion cases involving navigation, robotics, or fluoroscopic guidance Preoperative Responsibilities • Review patient history, imaging, and surgical plan with the attending surgeon • Ensure appropriate instruments, implants, and equipment are available for complex cases • Participate in surgical site verification and time-out procedures Intraoperative Responsibilities • Provide dynamic retraction to optimize visualization of deep operative fields • Assist with localization and confirmation of operative levels using fluoroscopy • Maintain hemostasis using appropriate techniques and instruments • Assist with placement of instrumentation (e.g., pedicle screws, rods) under surgeon direction • Support interbody device placement and graft positioning • Anticipate surgeon needs and maintain operative flow in extended, complex cases • Perform multi-layer wound closure, including: o Fascia closure (critical requirement) o Deep and superficial tissue approximation o Skin closure using sutures, staples, or other techniques • Adhere strictly to sterile technique and patient safety protocols Postoperative Responsibilities • Apply dressings and ensure proper wound care at completion of case • Assist with immediate postoperative orders and documentation as appropriate • Participate in handoff communication to PACU and inpatient teams Required Skills and Experience • Demonstrated experience as a surgical first assist in spine surgery • Proficiency in multi-level exposure and complex wound closure, including fascia • Strong knowledge of spinal anatomy, instrumentation, and surgical techniques • Ability to function effectively in long-duration, high-acuity surgical cases • Excellent communication and teamwork skills within a multidisciplinary surgical environment ? Call Schedule/Responsibilities: May have provider do some pager call after hours to support urgent surgical cases as needed ? PPD/Census: Estimated: 2-3 Patients per day depending on complexity of case ? Number of Providers Per Shift & Support Staff:   ? EMR: EPIC (Health Connect – Kaiser Permanente’s version of EPIC) ? Rate Structure: Hourly All-Inclusive ? Hourly Rate: $230.00/hr ? OT Rate: $345.00/hr after 40 hr/wk ? Admin Fee: $25.00/Day ? Credentialing Timeframe: Estimated 90 Days from time application is submitted ? Certifications required/accepted: Board Certified NP or PA, BLS, ACLS (American Hospital Association), and First Assist Certification if Nurse Practitioner ? Will a licensing candidate be considered: No