Orthopedic Surgery Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (NPPA)

This contract position is an excellent opportunity for healthcare professionals looking to contribute to high-quality orthopedic care in a collaborative and dynamic environment.

In this on-site role you will play a critical part in providing comprehensive care to patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. You will work closely with a team of surgeons and healthcare professionals assisting in surgical procedures managing pre- and post-operative care and facilitating communication between patients and the healthcare team.

• Assist in orthopedic surgical procedures ensuring patient safety and comfort
• Conduct patient assessments and develop tailored care plans
• Monitor and manage patient recovery and response to treatments
• Educate patients and families about orthopedic conditions and post-operative care
• Collaborate with surgeons and healthcare professionals for optimal patient outcomes
• Document patient care activities and maintain accurate medical records
• Participate in continuous education and training to stay current with best practices
• Provide pre-operative and post-operative care to enhance recovery

**Position: Orthopedic Surgery Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (NP/PA)**

*Coverage Period:** October March potential for extension.

**Work Environment:** Hospital setting.

**Schedule:** 4x10 hour shifts per week with an expectation to work every other weekend.

**Key Responsibilities:**

*As First Assist:*- Engage in complex spine surgeries including:

- Multi-level posterior spinal fusions (cervical thoracic lumbar sacral)

- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) including multi-level cases

- Lumbar interbody fusions (TLIF PLIF ALIF XLIF) - Adult spinal deformity corrections (scoliosis kyphosis sagittal imbalance)

- Revision spine surgeries (hardware removal pseudoarthrosis repair adjacent segment disease)

- Spinal tumor resections and stabilization

- Complex decompression surgeries involving multilevel laminectomy foraminotomy and facetectomy

- Trauma-related stabilization (fractures dislocations)

- Minimally invasive procedures requiring advanced instrument handling and visualization

- Instrumented fusion cases using navigation robotics or fluoroscopy

*Preoperative Duties:*

- Review patient history imaging studies and surgical plans in collaboration with the attending surgeon.

- Ensure availability of necessary instruments implants and equipment for intricate cases.

- Participate in surgical site verification and time-out protocols.

*Intraoperative Duties:*

- Provide dynamic retraction for optimal visualization in deep operative fields.

- Assist in localization and confirmation of operative levels using fluoroscopic guidance.

- Maintain hemostasis through appropriate techniques and equipment.

- Facilitate placement of instrumentation (e.g. pedicle screws rods) under the surgeons guidance.

- Support positioning of interbody devices and grafts.

- Anticipate the surgeons needs to sustain operative flow during extended complex surgeries.

- Execute multi-layer wound closure encompassing fascia closure deep and superficial tissue approximation and skin closure (sutures staples or alternative techniques).

- Adhere to strict sterile techniques and patient safety protocols.

*Postoperative Duties:*

- Apply dressings and manage wound care at the cases conclusion.

- Assist with immediate postoperative orders and documentation.

- Facilitate handoff communication to PACU and inpatient care teams.

**Required Skills and Experience:**- Proven experience as a surgical first assist in spine procedures.

- Proficient in multi-level exposure and complex wound closure techniques including fascia.

- Strong knowledge of spinal anatomy instrumentation and surgical methodologies.

- Capability to perform effectively in high-acuity long-duration surgical settings.

- Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary surgical team.

**Call Schedule:** Potential pager call after hours to support urgent surgical cases.

**Patient Load:** Estimated 2-3 patients per day contingent on case complexity.

**Team Composition:** Multiple providers per shift with additional support staff.

**EMR System:** EPIC.

**Certifications Required/Accepted:

** Board Certified NP or PA BLS ACLS (American Hospital Association) and First Assist Certification (if NP).