The following job description is a example for PAs interested in orthopeadics and is put forth by the professional specialty organization Physicians Assistants in Orthopeadic Surgery. It is a guideline intended to help adapt the physician assistant practice in Orthopaedics under the direction of the orthopaedic surgeon, as directed by the appropriate state laws.

Physician Assistants are licensed health care professionals trained in the same format as physicians. The training is roughly two-thirds the length of medical school with over 100 weeks of general primary care education. The average physician assistant has a bachelor’s degree and four and a half years of health care experience prior to entering a PA program. A job description for physician assistants in orthopaedics includes but is not limited to:

1. Performing comprehensive and problem-focused histories and physical examinations, interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests. Interpret and coorelate subjective and objective data to formulate a differential diagnosis and establish a working diagnosis. Formulate a treatment plan for orthopaedic conditions within their scope of practice. Implement therapeutic intervention for specific conditions when appropriate. Exercise judgement on conditions requiring consultation, referral or evaluation by the supervising orthopaedic surgeon or other health care professionals.

2. Order, collect and perform appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies, such as routine laboratory tests, EMG, electrocardiogram and radiologic examinations including arthrogram, ultrasound, CT, MRI and bone scan studies.

3. Performing compartment pressure measurements, digital blocks and regional anesthesia. Performing minor outpatient surgical procedures such as tendon repair, wound closure and management, incision and drainage, needle biopsy percutaneous pinning of fractures k-wire and hardware removal.

4. Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as aspirations and injections of joints, bursars and cysts. Perform closed reductions of fractures and dislocations. Apply braces, casts, splints and other orthopaedic appliances.

5. Assist in the surgical suite including 1^st assist, deep and superficial wound closure, application of internal devices and any other procedures delegated by the supervising orthopaedic surgeon. Conduct hospital rounds, write orders, take call and see patients in the ED for the orthopaedic surgeon. Evaluate and clarify clinical conditions, formulate and implement treatment or therapeutic plan for hospitalized.

Back to Top