INFORMATION FOR SURGEONS

-HIRING A SURGICAL PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT-
The Surgical PA is well known as the “best instrument a surgeon has.” Several studies have shown the cost-effectiveness of the surgical PA, and most offices and hospitals with PA’s have found that surgical PA’s can support a positive cash flow.

• Learn as much as possible about the surgical PA profession and their role on the surgical team. Decide on where you want the PA to participate in your practice:

  _Office/clinic
  _Pre-admission
  _Pre-Op
  _Intra-Op
  _Post-Op/PACU
  _Home visits
  _Critical Care/SICU
  Surgical PA’s receive training in these areas as a component of their didactic and clinical training.
  Visit AASPA’s website for job description information.
   

• Construct a job description based on the above outline. Remember that you can make the description as specific or as vague as you like.
   
• Decide on the salary and benefits. In 2001, the average PA salary was $74,000 and included malpractice insurance, vacation, sick and personal time, and CME reimbursement.
   
• Place your employment ad in Sutureline, AASPA’s bimonthly publication containing peer-reviewed articles, and news on issues of concern to surgical PAs and their supervising physicians. Please call Renee Powell at 888-882-2772 for information and rates.
   
• Contact an accredited PA Residency Program. After attending a PA Program, PA graduates have the option to continue their education at a PA residency Program.
   
• Post a job announcement at our bi-annual CME meeting. It is held in October in conjunction with theACS convention. A 3-day posting, 8 1/2 x 11 is $15 (Free for AASPA Members). Fax or mail your announcement to the AASPA office 2 weeks before the meeting date. Call 1-888-88-AASPA for information.
   
• Look for the following credentials:
  • Graduation from an Accredited PA Program
  • Certified by the National Commission for the Certification of PA’s
  • State registration/license
  • Successful completion of the Surgical Recognition Exam, administered by the National Commission for the certification of PA’s (preferred).
  • Fellow membership in the American Association of Surgical PA’s (preferred).
     
• Contact an accredited physician assistant educational program. There are more than 130 accredited programs in the United States. A list of programs is available on the American Academy of Physician Assistants Fast Fax by dialing 732-935-8146, and requesting document #111. There are currently three PA educational programs that focus on surgical education. Visit the AASPA website at www.aaspa.com for information.
   
• For a more comprehensive guide, read “Hiring a Physician Assistant.” Copies of the book can be ordered by calling 800-708-7581, and requesting American Academy of Physician Assistants’ publication #152.