Physician Assistant (PA) - Surgical First Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Physician Assistant (PA) – Surgical First Assistant to join the surgical services team at UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health in Geneva, New York. This opportunity is ideal for a licensed Physician Assistant with strong clinical assessment skills, surgical knowledge, and a commitment to delivering exceptional patient care throughout the perioperative process.

The Surgical First Assistant will work closely with surgeons, anesthesiology professionals, nursing staff, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams to support safe and efficient surgical procedures. This role combines direct patient care with hands-on surgical assistance, requiring strong technical abilities, sound clinical judgment, and effective communication in a fast-paced operating room environment.

The successful candidate will contribute to preoperative evaluations, intraoperative surgical assistance, and postoperative patient management while supporting positive clinical outcomes and continuity of care.

• Doctorate Degree (minimum education requirement)
• Minimum 2 years of professional clinical experience
• Current, active New York State Physician Assistant (PA) license
• Current National Certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• Valid Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Strong clinical assessment and patient evaluation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
• Ability to collaborate effectively with surgeons, physicians, nursing staff, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams
• Strong clinical judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to patient safety

• Previous experience working as a Surgical Physician Assistant or Surgical First Assistant
• Experience assisting surgeons during operative procedures
• Familiarity with surgical instrumentation, sterile technique, and operating room protocols
• Experience performing preoperative patient assessments and supporting postoperative care
• Strong understanding of surgical anatomy, wound management, and perioperative patient care
• Experience working in an acute-care hospital or multidisciplinary surgical services environment
• Ability to anticipate surgical team needs and respond effectively during complex procedures
• Experience coordinating patient care across surgical and clinical departments

The ideal candidate is a New York State-licensed Physician Assistant with a Doctorate Degree, NCCPA certification, valid DEA registration, and at least two years of professional clinical experience .

They should demonstrate strong clinical assessment capabilities, sound medical judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively with surgeons and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals.

Candidates with previous experience in surgical first assistance, operating room procedures, perioperative medicine, or hospital-based surgical services will be particularly well aligned with this opportunity.

The strongest applicants will be comfortable supporting surgical procedures, assisting with patient evaluations, and contributing to coordinated perioperative care while maintaining high standards of clinical quality and patient safety.

Professionals who demonstrate technical proficiency, adaptability, attention to detail, and a commitment to collaborative surgical care will be well positioned for success in this role.

$115,000 – $135,000 annually

Compensation within the listed range will be determined based on the candidate's Physician Assistant experience, surgical first-assist expertise, additional clinical qualifications, advanced education, professional certifications, and overall alignment with the position.

At Tap Healthcare Solutions , we recognize the essential role Surgical Physician Assistants play in supporting successful procedures, improving clinical efficiency, and delivering coordinated patient care. Their medical expertise, technical skills, and ability to collaborate closely with surgeons make them invaluable members of the surgical team.

This opportunity with UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health in Geneva, New York , offers an experienced Physician Assistant the chance to apply advanced clinical knowledge in a surgical environment while contributing to meaningful patient outcomes and professional growth.

Our team will support you throughout the hiring process with clear communication, personalized attention, and a candidate-focused approach . We'll help ensure this opportunity aligns with your surgical experience, professional credentials, compensation expectations, and long-term career goals , helping you pursue a position where your clinical expertise is valued and your contributions make a meaningful difference.