Orthopedic Physician Assistant

Moab Regional Hospital; Moab (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Mental health coverage for family

Retirement 403b

Paid time off

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

A critical access hospital in Utah is seeking an Orthopedic Physician Assistant to provide comprehensive musculoskeletal care. This role includes performing clinical evaluations, assisting in orthopedic procedures, and managing follow-up visits. Ideal candidates will have a Master's degree from an accredited PA program, current NCCPA certification, and ideally 1-2 years of experience in orthopedic surgery. The position offers a supportive workplace and a broad range of benefits to enhance professional growth.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited PA program.
• Current NCCPA certification and eligible for Utah PA licensure.
• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in orthopedic surgery preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform orthopedic assessments and formulate treatment plans.
• Assist in orthopedic surgical procedures.
• Manage post-operative follow-ups and coordinate care.

Skills

Strong diagnostic reasoning

Compassionate communication

Comfort in fast-paced environment

Collaborative teamwork

Reliability and accountability

Education

Master’s degree from an ARC-PA–accredited Physician Assistant program

Current NCCPA certification

Current BLS certification

Tools

EMR systems

Diagnostic studies interpretation

Job description

Location: Moab, UT

Job Id:419

# of Openings:1

Position Overview

The Orthopedic Physician Assistant is an advanced practice provider who works in close collaboration with the orthopedic surgeon and multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive musculoskeletal care across the continuum: clinic, inpatient, emergency department, and operating room. This role includes independent and team-based responsibilities in diagnosis, non-operative management, perioperative care, and longitudinal follow-up for patients with acute injuries and chronic joint conditions.

Moab Regional Hospital (MRH) is a 17-bed, not-for-profit, critical access hospital serving Moab and the greater southeastern Utah region, known for its high volume of outdoor recreation–related injuries and active lifestyle population. The Orthopedic PA will be integral to building and sustaining a high-quality orthopedic program that supports patients seeking to return to work, sport, and the activities they love in and around Moab, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical evaluation and diagnosis

• Perform comprehensive orthopedic assessments including detailed histories, focused musculoskeletal physical examinations, and functional assessments in clinic, ED, and inpatient settings.
• Formulate differential diagnoses and evidence‑based treatment plans for fractures, sprains, tendon and ligament injuries, arthritis, sports injuries, and other joint disorders within the PA scope of practice.
• Order, review, and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies such as radiographs, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and laboratory tests, and communicate results and implications to patients and families.

Procedural and perioperative care

• First‑assist in orthopedic surgical procedures, including fracture fixation, arthroscopy, joint reconstruction, and soft‑tissue procedures, in accordance with hospital privileging and state regulations.
• Perform office and bedside procedures such as fracture reduction, casting and splinting, wound closure, joint aspirations and injections, tendon sheath injections, and basic bedside debridement as credentialed.
• Participate in all phases of perioperative care, including pre‑op evaluation, optimization and informed consent support, postoperative rounding, pain management, DVT prophylaxis, early mobilization, and discharge planning.

Care coordination and follow‑up

• Manage post‑operative and non‑operative follow‑up visits, monitor recovery and rehabilitation progress, adjust treatment plans, and elevate to the surgeon when indicated.
• Collaborate closely with physical and occupational therapy, athletic trainers, case management, primary care, and other specialists to ensure coordinated, patient‑centered care.
• Provide high‑quality patient and family education regarding diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, rehabilitation protocols, and return‑to‑activity timelines, using language appropriate to varied health literacy levels.

On‑call and access to care

• Participate in shared orthopedic call coverage, including ED consults, inpatient consults, and urgent add‑on clinic access, consistent with MRH medical staff bylaws and service line requirements.
• Support timely triage of walk‑in and referral patients, including visiting athletes and tourists, to maintain efficient access for a high‑demands outdoor recreation community.

Documentation, quality, and professionalism

• Document all patient encounters, procedures, and communications accurately and contemporaneously in the electronic medical record (EMR), adhering to regulatory, billing, and coding standards.
• Participate in quality improvement, clinical protocols, and evidence‑based order set development for the orthopedic program, with attention to patient safety, infection prevention, and outcome metrics.
• Demonstrate a professional, team‑oriented demeanor, engage in ongoing continuing medical education, and contribute to a culture of respect, accountability, and service consistent with MRH values.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an ARC-PA–accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Current NCCPA certification and eligibility for unrestricted PA licensure in the State of Utah.
• Current BLS certification; ACLS and ATLS (or willingness to obtain within a defined timeframe) preferred given the trauma and sports‑injury nature of the practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of orthopedic principles, fracture management, and perioperative care, including basic radiographic interpretation.
• Eligibility for hospital privileges at Moab Regional Hospital and for enrollment with major payers as an advanced practice provider.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 1–2 years of experience as a PA in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, emergency medicine, or another musculoskeletal‑focused specialty.
• Prior experience as a first assist in orthopedic procedures and comfort managing inpatient post‑operative care.
• Proficiency with EMR systems and electronic order entry; experience with rural or critical access hospital practice environments is highly desirable.
• Strong procedural skills in casting, splinting, joint injection/aspiration, and fracture reduction or documented training/competency plan for rapid skill acquisition.

Skills and Attributes

• Clinical excellence: Strong diagnostic reasoning, sound clinical judgment, and commitment to evidence-based practice in a broad spectrum of orthopedic conditions.
• Communication: Clear, compassionate communication with patients, families, and colleagues; ability to deliver difficult news and set realistic expectations around recovery and return to activity.
• Adaptability: Comfort working in a fast‑paced, resource‑limited rural environment with a mix of residents and visitors, often presenting with high‑acuity trauma related to outdoor recreation.
• Teamwork: Collaborative, low‑ego, high‑team‑dynamic, approach to working with surgeons, anesthesia, nursing, therapies, and ancillary services to optimize flow and outcomes across the orthopedic service line.
• Professionalism: Reliability, integrity, and accountability in clinical practice, documentation, and interaction with staff, consistent with MRH’s mission as a community‑focused, not‑for‑profit hospital in rural Utah.

Additional Information

This position is designed to support a cross‑trained nursing model. Orientation and ongoing education will be provided to ensure competency in both oncology/infusion and wound care services.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.

Benefits

• Wide range of benefits, including:
  • Medical Insurance
  • Mental health coverage for entire family
  • Retirement 403b
  • Paid time off
• Collaborative and supportive workplace
• Professional growth opportunities including continuing education, trainings, and more!

Moab Regional Hospital is a Drug Free Workplace, and requires successful completion of a pre-employment drug test and background check.

Moab Regional Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Moab Regional Hospital makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.