Physician Assistant - Plastic Surgery

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Department of Plastic Surgery provides comprehensive care for patients throughout their reconstructive journey and offers Advanced Practice Providers a unique opportunity to participate in both clinical and operative care. The Advanced Practice Provider plays an integral role in supporting reconstructive surgical patients across the continuum of care while collaborating closely with surgeons and multidisciplinary teams.

UT MD Anderson's Plastic Surgery team is distinguished by its strong intraoperative involvement for Advanced Practice Providers, allowing continuity of care from clinic visits through surgical intervention and postoperative recovery. The Advanced Practice Provider works in both outpatient and operating room settings, helping optimize patient outcomes while benefiting from a highly collaborative APP team that provides mentorship, shared expertise, and a strong culture of teamwork. The Advanced Practice Provider serves as a key member of the patient care team and contributes to exceptional surgical and patient-centered care.

The Physician Assistant position performs the increasingly independent and complex tasks of a routine and standardized nature, which would otherwise be performed by a physician. The incumbent in this position will provide advanced patient care in relation to the patient's prescribed diagnosis, treatment, age group, development, and other identified needs. This position provides quality direct and/or indirect patient care clinically, administratively and/or academically. The incumbent in this position will provide direct plastic surgery services to patients within the education, training, and patient care parameters of the Department of Plastic Surgery. The duties of this position are carried out in accordance with policies established by the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff and consistent with the Texas State Board of Physician Assistants and Medical Examiners, and existing state laws.

The Physician Assistants will work across the full continuum of care, including outpatient, operating room (OR). They will primarily be based in the outpatient clinics and will provide first assistant support in the OR. Experience in plastic surgery and oncology is a plus.

The ideal candidate has a strong interest in surgery and patient-centered care, with experience in surgical environments preferred. New graduates will be considered, particularly those who completed a clinical rotation within the Plastic Surgery service during their Physician Assistant training. Candidates who demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, strong collaboration skills, and a commitment to learning within a team-oriented environment will be well suited for this role.

Traveling to Houston Area Locations (HALs) is required.

Salary Range: Minimum $117,500.00 - Midpoint $146,500.00 - Maximum $176,500.00

KEY FUNCTIONS
1. First and Second Surgical Assist

• Performs first- and second-assist duties in the operating room daily, or as needed, as directed by the physician.
• Demonstrates manual dexterity in the use of all instruments and equipment.
• First and second assist duties would include, but is not limited to, the use of a scalpel, needle-driver, forceps, and bovie cautery. able to tie suture with acceptable knot-tying techniques, both with hands, and with instruments. performs retraction, cutting suture, direct hemostasis, placing drains, and multi-level skin and donor site closures.
• Performs harvest of complex flaps, full and split thickness grafts, and placement of complex wound dressings.

2. Perioperative Patient Management

• Assesses patient before surgery and completes the H&P update in a consistently timely manner.
• Communicates and assists OR staff (Anesthesia, CRNA, Anesthesia Assistants, Nurse circulator, Scrub technician, Perioperative Nursing Assistants (PNA)).
• Ensures all necessary supplies, equipment, and medications are available. Assists in properly positioning the patient on the OR bed.
• Writes postoperative orders, and transitions with the patient to the PACU/ICU.
• Gives reports to PACU/ICU staff.
• Communicates with family members if assigned to do so.
• Performs post-operative checks on patients as assigned by attending.

3. Inpatient Care

• Makes daily rounds with or without faculty on in-patients, before clinic, conference, or OR duties, by walking from office to inpatient rooms.
• Performs a variety of inpatient patient care activities included but not limited to wound care and dressing changes, removal of drain and sutures, etc.
• Communicates, in a timely fashion, all physical findings and other pertinent information regarding the patient to attending and associated medical staff.
• Notifies other health care professionals (e.g. speech pathology or radiology) regarding required interventions, and complete in-patient consults as indicated.
• Facilitates communication between patient/family members and physician/interdisciplinary team; assists with patients' problems, questions, concerns and provides support.
• Assists with discharge planning for inpatients and helps to anticipate family needs regarding adequate post-discharge care.
• Assists with arranging home health care, and other post-discharge allied health needs.
• Arranges follow-up care in the Plastic Surgery clinic by discussing with patient and completing electronic CSR.
• Responsible for inpatient consults when attending physician is unavailable.
• Completes and authenticates discharge summaries within 24 hours of discharge according to Medical Records standards.

4. Outpatient Care

• Performs assessment of the following patients in clinic: Consults, second opinions, preoperative and postoperative follow-ups.
• Obtains histories and physical of patients for preoperative history and physical exams or primary medical evaluations which are performed according to institutional standards set by Medical Records.
• Ensures that data is complete, accurate, current, and reflects clinical physiology/pathophysiology.
• Ensures that data collected is communicated to attending physician and associated medical staff in a complete, concise and organized fashion.

EDUCATION

• Required: Master's Degree Accredited Physician Assistant (PA) program by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), except for Physician Assistants who graduated from a PA program prior to 2013.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Required: PAC - Physician Assistant Certifica Certification by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants. Upon Hire and
• Required: PA - Physician Assistant Licensed by the Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners Upon Hire and
• Required: BLS - Basic Life Support American Heart Association (AHA). Upon Hire and
• Required: ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support American Heart Association (AHA). Upon Hire or
• Required: PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support American Heart Association (AHA). If working in one of following department: Pediatrics - Patient Care (113100). Upon Hire
• Required: MAY BE REQUIRED: Eligible to be granted limited prescriptive authority by the State of Texas. Upon Hire and
• Required: Clinical Privileges Must obtain and maintain relevant clinical privileges. Continued employment in this position at MD Anderson is contingent upon maintaining these privileges.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, paid time off , retirement , tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 183985
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 117,500
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 146,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 176,500
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Onsite
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

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