Surgical Physician Assistant

LOCATION: Artesia, New Mexico
Artesia to Roswell, NM – 40 min (40 miles)
Artesia to Hobbs, NM –1 hour and 25 min (80 miles)
Artesia to Lubbock, TX – 3 hours (170 miles)
Artesia to El Paso, TX – 3 hours (197 miles)

Artesia is located in southeastern New Mexico, nestled between the two larger cities of Roswell to the north and Carlsbad to the south. The Texas border is less than 100 miles away to the east and the beautiful mountains.

JOB SUMMARY:
The General Surgery Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) works collaboratively with the supervising General Surgeons to provide comprehensive care in the outpatient clinic, inpatient hospital setting, and surgical environment. The NP/PA evaluates and manages general surgery patients independently within the scope of practice, conducts inpatient rounds on hospitalized general surgery patients, and may assist the surgeon during operative procedures. The position requires excellent clinical judgment, strong communication skills, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Outpatient Care & Patient Management:
 Conduct comprehensive physical assessments, take detailed histories, and formulate differential diagnoses and treatment plans for an independent daily schedule.
 Perform comprehensive pre-operative evaluations and clearances. Order and interpret diagnostic tests (e.g., labs, EKGs, imaging studies) to ensure patients are medically optimized for surgery.
 Manage routine post-operative appointments, including wound assessments, drain removals, suture/staple removals, and medication adjustments. Formulate discharge plans and transition-of-care documentation.
 Evaluate urgent or walk-in surgical patients presenting with potential post-op complications (e.g., localized infections, pain management issues) to prevent unnecessary Emergency Department utilization.
 Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
 Participate in patient triage and respond to patient questions and concerns.

Perform Minor Outpatient Procedures & In-Office Interventions:
 Perform autonomous, minor outpatient surgical interventions within the scope of practice to include but not limited to:
o Incision & Drainage (I&D) of superficial abscesses
o Excision of skin lesions, cysts, and lipomas
o Local anesthetic blocks and simple wound debridement
o Aspiration of seromas or fluid collections


Inpatient Responsibilities
 Conduct rounds as needed on hospitalized general surgery patients under the direction of the supervising General Surgeon.
 Evaluate inpatient general surgery consultations and provide recommendations for treatment and management.
 Monitor patient progress, review laboratory and diagnostic results, and adjust treatment plans as appropriate.
 Coordinate inpatient care with nursing staff, case management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other members of the healthcare team.
 Facilitate patient discharge planning, including follow-up care, rehabilitation needs, and patient education.
 Document all inpatient encounters and treatment plans in the electronic medical record in a timely manner.
 Communicate patient status and significant clinical findings to the supervising physician.

Surgical Responsibilities
 First assist the supervising General Surgeon during surgical procedures as credentialed and permitted by hospital policy.
 Participate in preoperative assessments and patient preparation.
 Assist with surgical exposure, tissue handling, hemostasis, wound closure, and application of postoperative dressings and immobilization devices.
 Participate in postoperative patient management and follow-up care.
 Round on hospitalized General Surgery patients as directed by the supervising physician.

SCHEDULE:
-- Work Week 4.5 days per week with one half day of administrative (charting, patient follow-up, care coordination, etc.).

COMP & BENEFITS
Salary up to $140K DOE
Medical/Dental
LTD/STD
Retirement Plan - 401K with a 4% match
Life Insurance
CME: CME 5 days and $3,000
Vacation/Holidays 29 Days PTO, sick and holiday
Malpractice covered by facility
Relocation assistance