Orthopedic Physician Assistant
Position Overview
The Orthopedic Physician Assistant is an advanced practice provider who works in close collaboration with the orthopedic surgeon and multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive musculoskeletal care across the continuum: clinic, inpatient, emergency department, and operating room. This role includes independent and team-based responsibilities in diagnosis, non-operative management, perioperative care, and longitudinal follow-up for patients with acute injuries and chronic joint conditions.
Moab Regional Hospital (MRH) is a 17-bed, not-for-profit, critical access hospital serving Moab and the greater southeastern Utah region, known for its high volume of outdoor recreation–related injuries and active lifestyle population. The Orthopedic PA will be integral to building and sustaining a high-quality orthopedic program that supports patients seeking to return to work, sport, and the activities they love in and around Moab, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
- Perform comprehensive orthopedic assessments including detailed histories, focused musculoskeletal physical examinations, and functional assessments in clinic, ED, and inpatient settings.
- Formulate differential diagnoses and evidence-based treatment plans for fractures, sprains, tendon and ligament injuries, arthritis, sports injuries, and other joint disorders within the PA scope of practice.
- Order, review, and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies such as radiographs, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and laboratory tests, and communicate results and implications to patients and families.
Procedural and perioperative care
- First-assist in orthopedic surgical procedures, including fracture fixation, arthroscopy, joint reconstruction, and soft-tissue procedures, in accordance with hospital privileging and state regulations.
- Perform office and bedside procedures such as fracture reduction, casting and splinting, wound closure, joint aspirations and injections, tendon sheath injections, and basic bedside debridement as credentialed.
- Participate in all phases of perioperative care, including pre-op evaluation, optimization and informed consent support, postoperative rounding, pain management, DVT prophylaxis, early mobilization, and discharge planning.
Care coordination and follow-up
- Manage post-operative and non-operative follow-up visits, monitor recovery and rehabilitation progress, adjust treatment plans, and escalate to the surgeon when indicated.
- Collaborate closely with physical and occupational therapy, athletic trainers, case management, primary care, and other specialists to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care.
- Provide high-quality patient and family education regarding diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, rehabilitation protocols, and return-to-activity timelines, using language appropriate to varied health literacy levels.
On-call and access to care
- Participate in shared orthopedic call coverage, including ED consults, inpatient consults, and urgent add-on clinic access, consistent with MRH medical staff bylaws and service line requirements.
- Support timely triage of walk-in and referral patients, including visiting athletes and tourists, to maintain efficient access for a high-demand outdoor recreation community.
Documentation, quality, and professionalism
- Document all patient encounters, procedures, and communications accurately and contemporaneously in the electronic medical record (EMR), adhering to regulatory, billing, and coding standards.
- Participate in quality improvement, clinical protocols, and evidence-based order set development for the orthopedic program, with attention to patient safety, infection prevention, and outcome metrics.
- Demonstrate a professional, team-oriented demeanor, engage in ongoing continuing medical education, and contribute to a culture of respect, accountability, and service consistent with MRH values.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree from an ARC-PA–accredited Physician Assistant program.
- Current NCCPA certification and eligibility for unrestricted PA licensure in the State of Utah.
- Current BLS certification; ACLS and ATLS (or willingness to obtain within a defined timeframe) preferred given the trauma and sports-injury nature of the practice.
- Demonstrated knowledge of orthopedic principles, fracture management, and perioperative care, including basic radiographic interpretation.
- Eligibility for hospital privileges at Moab Regional Hospital and for enrollment with major payers as an advanced practice provider.
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum 1–2 years of experience as a PA in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, emergency medicine, or another musculoskeletal-focused specialty.
- Prior experience as a first assist in orthopedic procedures and comfort managing inpatient post-operative care.
- Proficiency with EMR systems and electronic order entry; experience with rural or critical access hospital practice environments is highly desirable.
- Strong procedural skills in casting, splinting, joint injection/aspiration, and fracture reduction or documented training/competency plan for rapid skill acquisition.
Skills and Attributes
- Clinical excellence: Strong diagnostic reasoning, sound clinical judgment, and commitment to evidence-based practice in a broad spectrum of orthopedic conditions.
- Communication: Clear, compassionate communication with patients, families, and colleagues; ability to deliver difficult news and set realistic expectations around recovery and return to activity.
- Adaptability: Comfort working in a fast-paced, resource-limited rural environment with a mix of residents and visitors, often presenting with high-acuity trauma related to outdoor recreation.
- Teamwork: Collaborative, low-ego, high-team-dynamic, approach to working with surgeons, anesthesia, nursing, therapies, and ancillary services to optimize flow and outcomes across the orthopedic service line.
- Professionalism: Reliability, integrity, and accountability in clinical practice, documentation, and interaction with staff, consistent with MRH’s mission as a community-focused, not-for-profit hospital in rural Utah.
Additional Information:
This position is designed to support a cross-trained nursing model. Orientation and ongoing education will be provided to ensure competency in both oncology/infusion and wound care services.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.
Why Should You Join the Team at Moab Regional Hospital?
We have an amazing team here at Moab Regional Hospital, with a skilled group of healthcare providers and physicians from a wide range of specialties who are committed to the greater Moab community.
Caring for our People: Every healthcare professional that works here at MRH in both a clinical and non-clinical setting cares about our patients because these are our friends, neighbors, and our family.
Employee Satisfaction: Moab Regional Hospital strives to balance care for the community with care for its employees and offers a supportive work environment, competitive total compensation packages, and the flexibility to enjoy what makes this desert region one of the most unique and special places to live.
We offer:
- Wide range of benefits, including:
- Medical Insurance
- Mental health coverage for entire family
- Retirement 403b
- Paid time off
- Collaborative and supportive workplace
- Professional growth opportunities including continuing education, trainings, and more!
Spectacular Location: Welcome to Moab, Utah, where Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are just a part of the breathtaking red rock landscapes that surround this charming town. Nestled at the base of the LaSal Mountains and along the banks of the Colorado River, small-town friendliness coupled with unparalleled natural beauty make this a great place to call home. Thanks to its perfect climate, Moab offers year round recreation opportunities, and is renowned for mountain biking, rock climbing, jeeping, hiking and river activities. There are an array of restaurants, microbreweries, art galleries and special events that create a vibrant community to live in.
Moab Regional Hospital is a Drug Free Workplace, and requires successful completion of a pre-employment drug test and background check.
Moab Regional Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Moab Regional Hospital makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
