Physician Assistant (PA-C) - Plastic Surgery - Per Diem - 10 - Hour - Days

Per-Diem Physician Assistant (PA-C)

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At Cedars-Sinai, the work you do every day directly impacts lives. Our passionate and dedicated culture has earned us six Magnet designations for nursing excellence. Join us and discover why U.S. News & World Report recognizes us as one of America's Best Hospitals!

The Plastic Surgery Department is seeking a per-diem Physician Assistant (PA-C) to join a collaborative team providing comprehensive surgical care across the patient continuum. Working closely with Plastic Surgery faculty, physicians, APPs, nursing, and multidisciplinary teams, the PA-C will support perioperative care across the clinical spectrum. This role includes first assisting in the operating room, outpatient clinic, inpatient floor management and perioperative care coordination.

Responsibilities

Position Overview

This role requires the ability to integrate seamlessly into a busy surgical service and provide coverage across the operating room, outpatient clinic, and inpatient setting, based on departmental staffing and clinical needs.

The ideal candidate has a strong surgical foundation, excellent technical skills, sound clinical judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as first assistant in the operating room for a broad range of plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures.
• Demonstrate strong surgical fundamentals, including tissue handling, retraction, exposure, hemostatic assistance, instrument handling, and surgical assisting techniques.
• Demonstrate proficiency in suturing and surgical closure, including layered closure and other closure techniques appropriate to the procedure and within scope of practice.
• Anticipate procedural needs and work efficiently with surgeons, trainees and other members of the perioperative team.
• Provide occasional outpatient clinic coverage as needed, including postoperative evaluations, wound assessment, dressing changes, drain management, suture/staple removal, and coordination of ongoing care.
• Evaluate patients presenting with postoperative concerns and appropriately communicate findings or escalate concerns to the surgical team.
• Provide occasional inpatient/floor coverage as needed, including postoperative assessments, rounds, wound and drain evaluation, coordination of care, and communication with consulting and ancillary services.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and professional clinical documentation consistent with departmental and institutional requirements.
• Recognize changes in patient condition and communicate or escalate concerns appropriately.
• Maintain familiarity with postoperative care principles relevant to plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Professional Expectations

• Ability to "plug and play" across clinical environments, quickly adapting to the needs and workflow of the service.
• Dependable, flexible, and comfortable working with different surgeons, procedures, teams, and clinical settings.
• Demonstrates professionalism and respect toward patients, physicians, APPs, nurses, surgical technologists, trainees, and all other team members.
• Communicates clearly, directly, and respectfully, particularly in high-acuity or fast-paced situations.
• Works collaboratively and contributes to a positive, team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrates appropriate situational awareness, understands role expectations, and seeks guidance when needed.
• Accepts feedback professionally and demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Prioritizes patient safety, quality of care, and efficient team-based practice.

Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program required.
• Graduate of an accredited Bachelor's degree program required.

Experience:

• Previous experience in plastic surgery preferred.
• Two (2) years of PA-C experience required
• Prior surgical clinic and operating room experience required.
• Experience managing patients across the perioperative continuum.
• Ability to work effectively across clinic, OR, and inpatient environments.

Licensure/Certifications Requirements:

• Current, California PA license required.
• National PA certification required.
• Current DEA License (schedule 2-5) required.
• Current BLS certification required. ACLS highly preferred.