Physician Assistant (PA) - Orthopedic Inpatient - MGH

The General Hospital Corporation; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts General Hospital, part of The General Hospital Corporation, seeks a skilled Orthopedic Physician Assistant to join the Inpatient Orthopedic Surgery service. The PA will provide comprehensive inpatient management under senior leadership, collaborating with surgeons, APPs, nurses, and therapists.

Ideal candidates have orthopedic PA experience, PA certification, and Massachusetts licensure eligibility, with strong clinical judgment and teamwork to thrive in a high-acuity inpatient

Qualifications

• 2+ years of Orthopedic PA experience.
• Current Physician Assistant certification.
• Eligibility for Massachusetts licensure.

Responsibilities

• Admit and manage orthopedic inpatients from various sources.
• Provide inpatient postoperative care and symptom control.
• Coordinate care with surgeons, nurses, therapists, and case managers.
• Oversee discharge planning and transitions of care.
• Educate patients and families about diagnoses, treatment plans, and recovery expectations.
• Maintain accurate medical records and timely documentation.

Job description

Site: The General Hospital Corporation

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

Make a Difference at One of the Nation's Leading Academic Medical Centers

Massachusetts General Hospital is seeking a skilled and motivated Physician Assistant to join our Orthopedic Surgery Inpatient Service. This is an exciting opportunity to care for a diverse orthopedic patient population while working alongside nationally recognized surgeons, advanced practice providers, nurses, therapists, and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals.

Under the supervision of the Orthopedic Department Chief, Executive Director, Director of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), and Lead Inpatient APP, the Physician Assistant will function as a Responding Clinician, providing comprehensive inpatient management for patients throughout their hospital stay.

Position Summary

The Responding Clinician is responsible for all aspects of care for assigned orthopedic patients, including admissions, postoperative management, non-operative patient care, care coordination, discharge planning, and emergency response. This role requires strong clinical judgment, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced acute care environment.

Key Responsibilities

Inpatient Clinical Care

• Admit patients from the Emergency Department, outpatient clinics, and direct admissions.
• Complete admission histories, physical examinations, documentation, and orders.
• Provide acute postoperative management and symptom control.
• Manage non-operative orthopedic patients, including daily assessments, documentation, and billing.
• Diagnose and treat new medical conditions that arise during hospitalization.
• Order and interpret laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, and procedures.
• Prescribe medications and implement treatment plans.
• Respond to urgent and emergent patient care needs.

Care Coordination

• Collaborate closely with surgeons, consulting services, nursing staff, case managers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary care throughout hospitalization.
• Facilitate consultations and ensure effective communication among all members of the care team.
• Support efficient patient throughput and high-quality clinical outcomes.

Discharge Planning and Transitions of Care

Discharge planning is a critical component of this role and requires proactive coordination with numerous stakeholders, including:

• Specialty consulting services
• Case Management
• Physical Therapy (PT)
• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Primary Care Providers and referring physicians
• Home care agencies and infusion providers
• Visiting Nurse Associations (VNA)
• Rehabilitation facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)

The APP plays a key role in ensuring safe, timely, and effective transitions of care while supporting the hospital's capacity management efforts.

Patient and Family Education

• Educate patients and their families regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, postoperative expectations, and recovery goals.
• Reinforce surgeon-directed postoperative care plans.
• Participate in interdisciplinary and family meetings.
• Serve as a trusted resource throughout the patient's hospitalization.

Documentation

• Complete history and physical examinations.
• Document progress notes and clinical encounters.
• Maintain accurate and timely medical records.
• Complete discharge summaries and related documentation promptly.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of Orthopedic PA experience.
• Current Physician Assistant certification and eligibility for Massachusetts licensure.
• Strong clinical judgment and decision-making skills.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Flexibility to excel in a high-acuity, fast-paced inpatient environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities.
• A commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and patient-centered care.

All APPs are credentialed through the MGB/MGH Credentialing Center and receive hospital privileges, including first-assist privileges (PA or RNFA), consistent with their scope of