Physician Assistant-Orthopedics, Full-time, Days

As a Physician Assistant in Orthopedics at Northwestern Medicine, your daily responsibilities will include conducting comprehensive health assessments, providing direct clinical care, prescribing medications and therapies, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and x-rays, and conducting evaluations to determine the need for further healthcare. You'll also focus on patient education and the mentoring of graduate students, ensuring that you play a pivotal role in both patient care and professional development.

To qualify for the Physician Assistant position in Orthopedics at Northwestern Medicine, candidates must possess a Master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant program and hold a current state license in Illinois. Once licensed, applicants can apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number. Additionally, candidates should be privileged and credentialed through the Northwestern Medicine Medical Staff Office, and a BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association is also required.

While a Master's degree and current licensure are essential, Northwestern Medicine prefers candidates who have experience in Orthopedics. Having a background in this specialty will better equip you to meet the unique challenges of the role and provide high-quality care to patients dealing with orthopedic issues.

As a full-time Physician Assistant in Orthopedics at Northwestern Medicine, you can expect a weekday schedule, typically from 7 am to 5:30 pm. However, you should also anticipate taking calls during nights, weekends, and holidays as needed to ensure continuous patient care.

At Northwestern Medicine, career growth and development are highly valued. Physician Assistants are encouraged to participate in continuing education opportunities, quality improvement initiatives, and research. The organization provides competitive benefits that support professional development, including tuition reimbursement and the chance to mentor graduate students, ensuring that you evolve alongside your career.

In answering this question, highlight specific experiences you’ve had conducting patient evaluations, detailing your methods and the outcomes. Discuss how you build rapport with patients to gather accurate health histories and what techniques you use in your physical examinations.

When discussing challenges, focus on the complexities of patient care in Orthopedics. Share an example of a challenging case you've managed, detailing how you navigated the situation and what you learned from the experience.

Explain the importance of teamwork in healthcare settings. Provide examples of how you have successfully collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to achieve positive patient outcomes.

Talk about your approach to teaching patients about their health conditions. Discuss tailored strategies you utilize, such as visual aids or discussions that promote understanding and engagement.

Mention your continuous education practices, such as attending workshops, following medical journals related to Orthopedics, or being part of professional organizations. This showcases your commitment to remaining knowledgeable in your field.

Provide a specific example of a time when you stood up for a patient’s needs, explaining the steps you took and the positive impact it had on the patient’s care.

Discuss the importance of evidence-based practice in your approach. Provide examples of how you apply clinical guidelines and quality improvement measures to enhance patient care.

Share your stress management techniques, such as prioritization, time management, and self-care practices that help you maintain focus and resilience during high-pressure situations.

Detail a specific quality improvement project you participated in or led, discussing the goals, your role, and the outcomes achieved to reinforce your commitment to enhancing healthcare practices.

Express your enthusiasm for Northwestern Medicine’s patient-first philosophy and its reputation for delivering exceptional healthcare. Mention specific programs or values of the organization that resonate with you.