Physician Assistant- Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery- Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, Roswell, GA

Job Summary

The Physician Assistant (PA) – Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery is an integral member of a high-performing surgical team providing comprehensive care to patients with complex benign gynecologic conditions. Working in close collaboration with a highly productive MIGS surgeon, the PA supports the full continuum of care, including new patient evaluation, preoperative assessment, postoperative management, follow-up care, and ongoing management of established patients. The PA will maintain an independent patient schedule within an established collaborative practice model while also supporting the surgeon in the operating room and managing perioperative patient needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Outpatient Clinical Care

• Evaluate and manage new and established gynecologic patients within the PA's scope of practice.
• Obtain comprehensive medical and gynecologic histories and perform appropriate physical and pelvic examinations.
• Develop differential diagnoses and treatment plans in collaboration with the supervising physician as appropriate.
• Evaluate patients presenting with conditions commonly managed by a MIGS practice, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, chronic pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, ovarian and adnexal masses, pelvic adhesions, dysmenorrhea, and complex benign gynecologic conditions.
• Order and interpret appropriate laboratory testing, imaging, and diagnostic studies within scope of practice.
• Provide medication management and nonsurgical treatment for appropriate gynecologic conditions.
• Conduct follow-up visits for patients undergoing conservative or medical management.
• Identify changes in clinical condition requiring escalation to the surgeon.

Independent PA Clinic

• Maintain a dedicated patient schedule to expand access and optimize surgeon capacity.
• Appropriate PA visits may include new patient evaluations appropriate for APP management, established patient follow-ups, postoperative visits, preoperative evaluations, imaging and laboratory follow-up, medication follow-up, chronic pelvic pain management, endometriosis follow-up, abnormal uterine bleeding follow-up, fibroid surveillance, patient education and surgical preparation, incision and wound evaluations, urgent postoperative concerns, and return-to-work and activity-clearance visits.
• Collaborate with the surgeon regarding patients requiring complex surgical decision-making or physician-level evaluation.

Preoperative Management

• Perform comprehensive preoperative histories and physical examinations.
• Review medical history, medications, allergies, laboratory results, imaging, and relevant diagnostic studies.
• Ensure required preoperative testing and medical clearances have been completed.
• Educate patients regarding surgical preparation, anticipated recovery, postoperative restrictions, and expectations.
• Review Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols when applicable.
• Assist with medication reconciliation and perioperative medication instructions.
• Identify clinical concerns that could affect surgical readiness and communicate these promptly to the surgeon.
• Assist the surgical team with ensuring patients are clinically prepared for scheduled procedures.

Postoperative Care

• Conduct routine postoperative office visits.
• Evaluate postoperative pain, bleeding, bowel and bladder function, wound healing, and overall recovery.
• Perform incision and wound assessments.
• Manage routine postoperative medications.
• Review pathology results in accordance with established practice protocols.
• Reinforce postoperative activity restrictions.
• Provide return-to-work and activity-clearance documentation.
• Evaluate postoperative concerns and complications.
• Coordinate additional laboratory testing, imaging, or evaluation when indicated.
• Escalate suspected surgical complications to the surgeon promptly.
• Assist with postoperative telephone and electronic patient inquiries.

Inpatient and Perioperative Responsibilities

• Preoperative hospital assessment.
• Postoperative rounds.
• Hospital discharge preparation.
• Medication reconciliation.
• Discharge instructions.
• Coordination of postoperative follow-up.
• Communication with nursing and other members of the multidisciplinary care team.
• Evaluation of postoperative concerns in the hospital setting.
• Collaboration with consulting services when appropriate.

Patient Access and Practice Efficiency

• Maintain an appropriate independent clinic template.
• Manage routine postoperative visits that do not require surgeon evaluation.
• Provide timely access for established patients experiencing clinical concerns.
• Assist with triaging patients between PA and surgeon schedules.
• Reduce unnecessary physician visits by independently managing appropriate patient populations.
• Facilitate timely completion of preoperative requirements.
• Help minimize surgical delays and cancellations related to incomplete clinical preparation.
• Support efficient movement of patients from consultation through surgery and postoperative recovery.
• Work collaboratively with clinical and administrative staff to identify workflow improvements.

Patient Education and Communication

• Educate patients regarding diagnoses, treatment options, medications, surgery, recovery, and follow-up.
• Provide clear instructions regarding symptoms requiring urgent evaluation.
• Respond appropriately to patient telephone calls, portal messages, and clinical questions.
• Reinforce the surgeon's treatment plan and ensure patient understanding.
• Provide compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals experiencing chronic pain and complex gynecologic conditions.
• Coordinate care with referring physicians, primary care providers, specialists, and other members of the healthcare team.

Documentation and Administrative Responsibilities

• Complete accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Ensure appropriate documentation to support coding and billing requirements.
• Complete orders, prescriptions, referrals, disability documentation, FMLA paperwork, and other clinical documentation as appropriate.
• Participate in clinical quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist with development and implementation of clinical protocols and standardized workflows.
• Participate in staff education and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and professional standards.

Qualifications

Required: Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant program. Current Physician Assistant licensure or eligibility for licensure in the applicable state. Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills. Excellent interpersonal and patient communication skills. Ability to function effectively in a high-volume surgical practice.

Preferred: Previous experience in gynecology, women's health, surgery, urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, or minimally invasive surgery. Operating room and surgical first-assist experience. Experience with robotic and laparoscopic surgery. Experience managing preoperative and postoperative surgical patients. Experience working within a high-volume physician/APP team model.