General Surgery Physician Assistant

Mercy Regional Med Physicians; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CommonSpirit Health in Durango, CO is seeking a General Surgery Physician Assistant to join a collaborative team delivering high-value surgical care across the Four Corners region. You will perform preoperative evaluations, assist in surgeries, manage postoperative care, and coordinate outpatient follow-up within our integrated delivery system.

We seek a board-certified PA with strong assessment skills, excellent clinical judgment, and a commitment to patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and valid PA licensure per state requirements.
• Board-certified Physician Assistant (NCCPA) required.
• Current BLS certification; NRP in specified contexts.

Responsibilities

• Provide preoperative evaluations and first assisting in general surgery.
• Postoperative management and inpatient rounding.
• Outpatient follow-up care and education for patients and families.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests and develop treatment plans.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, hospitalists, and care teams to deliver coordinated care.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Perioperative care

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Patient-centered care

Education

Bachelor’s degree (PA program)

NCCPA certification

Tools

BLS (AHA)

NRP

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our General Surgery Physician Assistant, you will join a collaborative team dedicated to delivering high-value, top-quality surgical care to the communities we serve in Durango, Colorado, and throughout the surrounding Four Corners region. As part of a physician-facing organization, you will be supported by extensive resources designed to allow you to focus on what matters most—caring for patients and serving the community. You will provide comprehensive surgical care while contributing to the delivery of the highest quality and most cost-effective healthcare within our integrated delivery system. Through your work, you will help expand access to essential surgical services and improve the health and well‑being of individuals throughout Southwest Colorado.

Every day you will provide comprehensive care to general surgery patients across the continuum of care, including preoperative evaluations, first assisting in surgical procedures, postoperative management, inpatient rounding, and outpatient follow‑up care. You will conduct patient assessments, order and interpret diagnostic testing, develop individualized treatment plans, assist with surgical procedures, and provide education to patients and their families throughout the surgical process. You will collaborate closely with general surgeons, anesthesiologists, hospitalists, nursing teams, and multidisciplinary specialists to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care. As a key member of the general surgery team, you will help support efficient surgical services, promote positive patient outcomes, and strengthen access to high-quality surgical care throughout Durango and the surrounding rural communities.

To be successful in this role, you will be a skilled, board-certified, and compassionate Physician Assistant committed to providing exceptional, evidence-based surgical care. You will possess strong clinical assessment skills, knowledge of general surgery and perioperative patient management, and strong communication abilities, along with excellent clinical judgment and the ability to collaborate effectively with patients, families, surgeons, and multidisciplinary care teams. You will also demonstrate a deep commitment to patient-centered care, quality outcomes, and continuous improvement. Important to this role is embracing the Mission and values of this Christian organization, contributing to a team-centered culture that prioritizes collaboration and service, and supporting an environment of transparency, accountability, and excellence. You will thrive in a collegial and supportive environment while making a meaningful impact by expanding access to comprehensive surgical care. With the opportunity to practice in beautiful Durango, surrounded by the abundant outdoor and recreational opportunities of Southwestern Colorado, this position offers a rewarding professional and personal lifestyle.

Job Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree; may be accepted if from an accredited PA program and meets the license and board criteria to be in good standing with state and other applicable requirements and 15 years of APP experience
• Physician Assistant by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
• Basic Life Support from the American Heart Association
• NRP is required for both hybrid work in person and telemedicine neonatology at SANHC, LUH, SFMC, MRMC (include in PB as needed). BLS not required for these departments.

Preferred

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program

Where You'll Work

Mercy Hospital is an 82 bed, acute care hospital located in the scenic southwestern Colorado town of Durango. It is the only hospital in Colorado to be rated by Medicare with five stars for overall hospital quality. It is recognized for excellence in orthopedic and spine surgery and for outstanding patient experience and patient safety. Mercy has also received ten consecutive 'A' grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group. Our providers use state-of-the-art technology in an environment designed to promote wellbeing and healing of body, mind, and spirit. Among the many specialty services available at Mercy are emergency care (Level III trauma designation), surgical care, cardiac care (including interventional), Orthopedic and Spine Centers of Excellence, a Family Birthing Center, home care, hospice care and more. Durango offers an exceptional quality of life with small town charm, excellent schools, and year-round, world-class outdoor recreation opportunities including snow sports, river sports, hiking, biking, camping and more.