Physician Assistant, Surgical Oncology

University Hospital; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 124,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental/Vision Insurance

HSA/FSA

Disability Insurance

Pension Plan

Pet Insurance

EAP

Professional Development

Job summary

University Hospital in Newark, NJ, is seeking a Physician Assistant to provide comprehensive surgical care across inpatient and outpatient settings, collaborating with attending surgeons, residents, and the care team.

The PA will participate in preoperative evaluations, assist in the operating room, manage postoperative care, and educate patients and families while advancing procedural skills within a busy academic medical center.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in health science or related field.
• Graduation from a Physician Assistant Program approved by CAAHEP.
• NCCPA certification.
• New Jersey physician assistant license.
• Prior clinical medicine experience preferred.
• All requirements must be met prior to employment.
• BLS, ACLS and ATLS certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care in inpatient and outpatient settings with the healthcare team.
• Assist in the operating room and provide first‑assist support as needed.
• Perform preoperative evaluations and postoperative follow‑up for surgical patients.

Skills

Clinical medicine experience

BLS ACLS ATLS certifications

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s in Health Science or related field

Job description

About The Role

The primary purpose of the Physician Assistant position, under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician, is to provide comprehensive, hands‑on care to patients across both inpatient and outpatient settings. This role offers the opportunity to be actively involved throughout the continuum of care—from initial evaluation and surgical preparation through inpatient management, procedures, postoperative care, and outpatient follow‑up.

The Physician Assistant will work closely with attending surgeons, residents, nursing staff, and other members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team to assess patients, develop and implement treatment plans, perform clinical procedures, provide patient and family education, and assist in the operating room. This position is ideal for a PA seeking a dynamic surgical role with meaningful patient interaction, procedural experience, and involvement in both hospital‑based and ambulatory care.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

• Provide direct patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings, working collaboratively with physicians, surgical residents, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Participate in the evaluation and management of new and established patients, including obtaining medical histories, performing physical examinations, reviewing diagnostic studies, and developing treatment plans in collaboration with the supervising physician.
• Assist with the routine daily operations of the outpatient practice, including addressing patient questions, reviewing medical records and documentation received from outside facilities, coordinating care, and facilitating appropriate follow-up.
• Perform initial assessments of patients in the outpatient setting and assist with preoperative evaluations, including preparation and documentation of History and Physical examinations.
• Participate in the daily management of hospitalized patients, including rounding, performing physical examinations, reviewing laboratory and imaging results, documenting progress notes, and assisting with appropriate medical orders and treatment plans.
• Communicate regularly with attending surgeons and the multidisciplinary care team regarding patient status, clinical findings, treatment plans, and changes in condition.
• Perform and assist with clinical procedures within the Physician Assistant’s scope of practice, training, and hospital credentialing. Procedures may include wound evaluation and care, dressing changes, suture and staple removal, drain management and removal, incision management, and other bedside or outpatient procedures as appropriate.
• Assist surgeons in the operating room, including patient positioning, ensuring appropriate application of antithrombotic stockings and compression devices, maintaining proper surgical preparation, and providing first‑assist support as needed.
• Assist with surgical procedures when appropriate, including incision closure and suturing, and help facilitate the patient’s safe transfer to the recovery area following surgery.
• Provide postoperative care to both hospitalized and ambulatory patients, including monitoring recovery, assessing wounds, managing drains, reviewing postoperative concerns, and identifying when physician intervention is needed.
• Manage outpatient postoperative follow‑up visits, including documenting progress, ordering appropriate laboratory, imaging, or other follow‑up studies, and coordinating ongoing care.
• Provide patient and family education regarding diagnoses, surgical procedures, postoperative expectations, wound care, medications, follow‑up needs, and recovery instructions.
• Serve as an accessible clinical resource for patients and families while helping to ensure a coordinated, compassionate, and positive healthcare experience.
• Work collaboratively with the surgical team to promote continuity of care as patients transition between the outpatient clinic, operating room, inpatient hospitalization, and postoperative follow‑up.

Why This Role

This position offers a unique opportunity for a Physician Assistant who enjoys a varied and clinically engaging surgical practice. Rather than being limited to one area of care, the PA will have meaningful involvement throughout the patient journey, with opportunities to develop strong clinical relationships, expand procedural skills, participate in surgery, and manage patients in both inpatient and outpatient environments.

The ideal candidate is a motivated, collaborative, and patient-focused Physician Assistant who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and values the opportunity to practice with a high degree of clinical involvement as part of an experienced surgical team.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

• Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science or a related field.
• Graduation from a Physician Assistant Program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
• Certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• New Jersey license from the State Board of Medical Examiners – Physician Advisory Committee.
• Prior experience in clinical medicine is preferred.
• All requirements must be met prior to employment with University Hospital.
• BLS (Basic Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support), and ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) certifications are required.

What We Offer

• Medical & Prescription Drug Coverage
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Development

Compensation (NJ Job Transparency Law)

The expected salary range for this position is $123,639.00 - $149,999.00 - $179,342.00 per year in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Law; final compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

About Us

University Hospital is one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. As the principal teaching affiliate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the only state-certified Level 1 Trauma Center in Northern New Jersey, University Hospital is training the next generation of physicians and advancing science to discovery while taking exceptional care of patients, regardless of their financial situation.