Advanced Practice Provider (NP/PA/APP) Orthopedic Spine Surgery

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia's UVA Health Orthopedic Spine Surgery team is seeking a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to manage an independent patient panel while partnering one-to-one with a dedicated spine surgeon. This role offers broad exposure to routine and complex spine pathology within a supportive academic healthcare environment and structured specialty development.

Ideal candidates will balance autonomous clinical care with collaborative teamwork,

Job description

Build a specialized spine practice where clinical autonomy, advanced diagnostic reasoning, and close surgical partnership come together to improve the lives of patients experiencing pain, mobility limitations, and complex spinal conditions.

UVA Health's Orthopedic Spine Surgery team is seeking a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to manage an independent patient panel while partnering one-to-one with a dedicated spine surgeon. This opportunity offers broad exposure to routine and complex spine pathology, meaningful responsibility across the surgical continuum, and structured specialty development within a supportive academic healthcare environment.

The Role

As an Orthopedic Spine Surgery APP, you will evaluate patients presenting with neck and back pain, determine appropriate diagnostic and referral pathways, and recognize conditions requiring urgent intervention. You will practice with significant independence while remaining closely connected to an experienced multidisciplinary team of four attending spine surgeons, fellow APPs, and nurse coordinators.

Your average day will combine autonomous clinical care, diagnostic decision-making, patient education, and coordination of an assigned surgeon's operative workflow. The expected clinical pace is approximately nine patients per session or 18 patients during a full clinic day.

• Maintain your own patient panel and clinic schedule, providing focused evaluations for a broad range of spinal conditions.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of neck and back pain, including presentations involving routine diagnoses, rare disorders, and spine trauma.
• Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic testing based on each patient's symptoms and clinical presentation.
• Apply sound clinical judgment to differentiate urgent spine conditions from routine or non-spine-related concerns.
• Guide patients toward the appropriate specialty, ancillary service, or treatment pathway when additional care is needed.
• Manage and organize an assigned surgeon's operating room schedule, supporting continuity from evaluation through surgical care.
• Collaborate closely with spine surgeons, APP colleagues, nurse coordinators, and other members of the care team.
• Provide compassionate, clear guidance to patients navigating pain, functional limitations, and potentially complex treatment decisions.

This position is well suited for an organized, empathetic clinician who can balance multiple priorities and values both independence and teamwork. Orthopedic, spine, neurosurgical, musculoskeletal, or related surgical specialty experience is preferred. Motivated new graduate NPs and PAs will also be considered, with on-the-job specialty training available. A cover letter is required for consideration.

Advanced Practice Provider Scope of Practice:

Clinical

• Provides expert evidence-based, top-of-scope care in their clinical practice
• Acts as part of a specialty team, collaborating with other clinicians as appropriate
• Provides health education to patients
• Maintains accurate, timely, and thorough documentation
• Ensures compliance with institutional and regulatory standards

Leadership

• Supports development of best practices and protocols in specialty
• Serves on committees and workgroups to enhance patient care
• Provides education to learners in the clinical space
• Mentors new team members

Administration

• Contributes to clinical quality improvement work
• Option to participate in professional governance through the APP Council

• Attends team development meetings at local and departmental levels, Ad