Surgical Physician Assistant- Trauma / Acute Care

Job Description: Inpatient Surgical Advanced Practice Provider (APP)

Specialties: Trauma/Acute Care Surgery (ACS) & Surgical OncologyDepartment: Surgical ServicesLocation: InpatientSchedule: Weekdays only – 5 eight‑hour shifts or 4 ten‑hour shiftsNo nights, weekends, holidays, or call

Position Summary

The Inpatient Surgical Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides comprehensive, high‑quality care to adult inpatients under the Trauma/Acute Care Surgery (ACS) and Surgical Oncology services. This role focuses on inpatient and perioperative management, coordination of multidisciplinary care, and optimization of outcomes for complex surgical patients. The position is weekday‑based and does not include night, weekend, holiday, or call responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Inpatient Clinical Management

• Perform daily inpatient rounds for trauma/ACS and surgical oncology patients with the surgery resident team.
• Conduct comprehensive histories and physical examinations and ongoing clinical assessments.
• Manage postoperative and non‑operative surgical patients, including:
• • Pain and symptom management
  • Wound, drain, and ostomy care
  • Nutrition and bowel regimens
  • VTE prophylaxis and postoperative monitoring
• Identify and manage postoperative or post‑injury complications in collaboration with attending surgeons, fellows and surgery residents.
• Write and manage admission, transfer, and discharge orders.
• Coordinate safe and timely discharges, including patient education and follow‑up planning.

Trauma Service Responsibilities

• Provide inpatient management of trauma patients following initial stabilization.
• Participate in evaluation and management of blunt and penetrating injuries.
• Perform bedside procedures as credentialed, which may include:
• • Wound care and laceration repair
  • Drain management
  • Tube, line, and device management
• Collaborate closely with trauma surgeons, ICU teams, and consulting services.

Surgical Oncology Responsibilities (Surgical Oncology, Colorectal, Breast, Endocrine,Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary, Plastics)

• Provide inpatient care for patients undergoing surgical management of oncologic disease.
• Assist with preoperative evaluation and optimization.
• Manage complex postoperative oncology patients, coordinating care with oncology, nutrition, case management, and ancillary services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary care planning as appropriate.

Perioperative & OR Support

• Assist in the operating room as first assist when needed, credentialed, and aligned with service and operational needs.
• Perform postoperative assessments and ongoing surgical follow‑up care.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• Work closely with attending surgeons, surgical residents, students, nursing, case management, pharmacy, nutrition, physical therapy, and consulting specialties.
• Serve as a consistent point of contact for patients and families during hospitalization.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and care coordination meetings.

Documentation, Quality & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Support institutional quality improvement initiatives and evidence‑based clinical pathways.
• Adhere to hospital policies, surgical standards, and patient safety protocols.

Education & Professional Practice

• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, procedures, recovery expectations, and discharge instructions.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor to new APPs as applicable.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and continuing medical education.

Qualifications

Physician Assistant (PA)

• Graduate of an ARC‑PA accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Current NCCPA certification.
• Licensed or license‑eligible as a Physician Assistant in the State of Connecticut.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program (Acute Care Adult‑Gerontology NP preferred).
• Current national board certification (AANP or ANCC, as applicable).
• Licensed or license‑eligible as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the State of Connecticut.
• RNFA for OR 1^st assist role

Additional Requirements (All APPs)

• Prior inpatient surgical experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with a multidisciplinary team including surgical residents and fellows
• Experience in trauma, acute care surgery, or surgical oncology highly desirable.
• ACLS required or must be obtained within an established onboarding timeframe.
• ATLS preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong inpatient clinical assessment and medical decision‑making skills.
• Ability to manage complex surgical patients across multiple specialties.
• Excellent communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Ability to function independently within a collaborative, team‑based surgical model.

Work Environment

• Hospital‑based inpatient surgical setting.
• Weekday clinical schedule providing continuity of care and work‑life balance.
• No required nights, weekends, holidays, or call coverage.