Job Description
Job Description University of Pittsburgh Physicians is hiring a Full-Time Physician Assistant or Acute Care Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner to help support the Spine Surgeons in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery at UPMC Washington. This dynamic, autonomous role requires advanced clinical and procedural skills to support the full continuum of care for spine patients—including operating room first-assist, inpatient consults, and outpatient clinic management. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong surgical acumen, clinical independence, and an ability to collaborate with remote and on-site attending Spine Surgeons while serving as the local point person for spine care delivery at Washington Hospital. Key Responsibilities: Surgical/Perioperative (Operating Room) - Serve as first assist in spine surgical procedures under the supervision of attending spine surgeons Ensure pre-operative readiness by reviewing imaging, completing H&Ps, and participating in surgical planning and site verification Assist with positioning, closure, and post-op orders, and document operative notes as needed Facilitate smooth OR flow by coordinating with scrub techs, nursing staff, and anesthesia teams Participate in post-op surgical huddles and track complications or deviations from expected recovery Inpatient Consults & Management - Serve as a spine provider for all inpatient spine consults at Washington Hospital, including ED, ICU, and floor consults Conduct comprehensive assessments, formulate differential diagnoses, order and interpret imaging (CT, MRI, X-ray), and communicate findings with the supervising neurosurgeon Develop and initiate treatment plans for both operative and non-operative cases, including bracing, therapy referrals, and discharge planning Manage post-operative spine patients including pain management, mobilization, drain care, and coordination of rehabilitation services Lead daily progress notes, orders, and documentation, ensuring timely updates for transitions of care Serve as liaison with internal medicine, trauma, orthopedics, and rehabilitation teams to ensure comprehensive inpatient spine care Outpatient Clinic - Run an independent spine clinic, seeing new patients, surgical follow-ups, and routine spine evaluations Review outside records, order and interpret imaging and diagnostic tests (EMG, labs), and develop conservative or surgical treatment plans Educate patients and families on diagnoses, treatment options, surgical expectations, and post-operative care Coordinate scheduling of surgery and pre-operative clearances, including communication with central schedulers and pre-op services Manage post-op wound checks, pain management plans, imaging follow-up, and physical therapy coordination Participate in multidisciplinary spine case conferences as appropriate Why Join Us: At Washington Hospital, you won’t just be filling a role—you’ll be pioneering it. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to become the go-to Advanced Practice Provider for a busy and growing spine program. You’ll practice at the top of your license, with a high level of autonomy, procedural involvement, and clinical complexity—all while having the full support of a world-class team behind you. You will directly impact patient care across every setting—clinic, OR, and inpatient—making your role vital, respected, and highly visible within the hospital. We are proud to offer: Clinical autonomy in a high-impact leadership role A culture of collaboration where APPs are seen as essential partners in surgical care System-wide access to ongoing professional development, academic resources, and research opportunities A highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including CME support, retirement contributions, and paid time off The stability and strength of being part of a top-tier health system with a strong commitment to neurosurgical care and APP advancement If you’re an experienced and motivated APP who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on surgical environment and is ready to take ownership of a spine practice—this is the role you’ve been waiting for. ---------------------------------------- See what being an Advanced Practice Provider can do for UPMC and what UPMC can do for Advanced Practice Providers – it’s more than just a job! What Can You Bring to UPMC? Contribute to UPMC’s mission of Life Changing Medicine Set the standards for the level and quality of care for the care delivery team Provide patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication, and collaboration with all team members. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with physicians, other health c