Physician Assistant / Physician Associate – Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Confidential – Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Practice · San Francisco, CA 94115
Primarily Outpatient | Clinical Autonomy | $180,000–$230,000+
Job Description
We are seeking a highly organized, compassionate, and experienced Physician Assistant / Physician Associate (PA-C) to join a growing reconstructive plastic surgery practice.
This is a primarily outpatient, clinic-based position focused on preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up care. The role offers substantial clinical autonomy with physician collaboration and backup. Routine operating room first-assist responsibilities are not expected, although opportunities for surgical observation and training will be provided. Occasional inpatient hospital rounding may be required based on patient care needs.
The successful candidate will independently manage a busy clinic schedule, exercise sound clinical judgment, and provide consistent continuity of care throughout the patient's surgical journey. This individual will play an important role in addressing patient concerns, coordinating with surgeons and nursing staff, and ensuring patients receive timely clinical attention, particularly when surgeons and surgical PAs are occupied in the operating room.
This position offers a predictable Monday-through-Friday clinic schedule, considerable clinical autonomy, an excellent compensation and benefits package, and potential opportunities for future leadership growth. After-hours and weekend call rotates approximately one week every five weeks once fully trained, primarily involving telephone triage with surgeon backup available.
Key Responsibilities
- Gradually build toward independently managing a full clinic schedule of approximately 20–26 patient visits daily, depending on patient complexity.
- Conduct preoperative evaluations, postoperative assessments, and routine follow-up visits.
- Exercise independent clinical judgment in evaluating postoperative concerns, recognizing complications, initiating appropriate management, and escalating to the surgical team when necessary.
- Serve as an accessible clinical resource for nursing staff and patients, taking ownership of clinical concerns and ensuring timely assessment, communication, appropriate follow-through, and resolution.
- Demonstrate day-to-day clinical leadership by supporting nursing and medical assistant staff, improving clinical workflows, and proactively addressing patient care challenges.
- Provide clinical support for overflow patients when surgeons are operating, ensuring consistent patient accessibility and continuity of care.
- Perform inpatient hospital rounds as needed to assess postoperative patients, coordinate care with hospital teams, and communicate clinical findings and concerns to the surgical team.
- Coordinate patient care with surgeons, registered nurses, medical assistants, and other members of the clinical team.
- Educate patients regarding procedures, medications, wound care, recovery expectations, and follow-up plans.
- Maintain accurate and timely medical records and patient communications.
- Participate in rotating after-hours and weekend call, primarily involving telephone triage with occasional in-person evaluations as clinically indicated. Surgeon backup is available.
- Help maintain efficient clinic flow and a responsive, concierge-level patient experience.
Qualifications
- Active California Physician Assistant / Physician Associate license in good standing.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience practicing as a Physician Assistant / Physician Associate.
- Plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery, or surgical clinic experience is preferred.
- Strong clinical judgment and the ability to work independently with appropriate physician collaboration.
- Experience evaluating postoperative concerns and caring for patients throughout the surgical process.
- Exceptional communication skills and a compassionate approach to patient care.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, adaptable, and comfortable managing changing clinical priorities.
- Demonstrated emotional intelligence, receptiveness to feedback, and ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and physicians with varying clinical approaches and communication styles.
- Leadership qualities such as initiative, accountability, teamwork, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
- Interest in potential clinical leadership growth as the practice expands.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary of $180,000–$230,000+, based on experience.
- Potential performance bonuses.
- 100% employer-paid base medical insurance, with options to upgrade coverage and add dependents.
- Dental, vision, and chiropractic coverage.
- 401(k) with up to a 5% employer match.
- Roth retirement option that may allow high earners to contribute up to $72,000 annually; eligibility and contribution limits are subject to plan rules and applicable tax limits.
- $15,000 annual CME and conference stipend.
- Comprehensive malpractice insurance coverage.
- Licensing and DEA fees covered.
- Generous paid time off.
Schedule
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
- Full-time, employed W-2 position.
- Rotating after-hours and weekend call approximately one week every five weeks, once fully trained.
- Call primarily involves telephone triage and management of patient concerns, with occasional in-person clinic or hospital evaluations as clinically indicated.
- Surgeon backup is available during call.
- Occasional inpatient hospital rounding based on patient care needs.
- No routine operating room first-assist responsibilities.
Location
San Francisco, CA 94115.
This opportunity is located in the heart of San Francisco, providing convenient access to the cultural and lifestyle amenities of the Bay Area. Marin County, the Peninsula, and the East Bay are also within commuting distance.
Why Work Here?
This position offers an opportunity to focus on meaningful outpatient surgical care within a thriving, specialized plastic surgery practice.
We are seeking an experienced Physician Assistant / Physician Associate who genuinely enjoys caring for surgical patients, is confident exercising independent clinical judgment, and takes personal ownership of patient concerns from initial assessment through resolution.
You will serve as a trusted clinical resource for patients, nursing staff, and surgeons, helping maintain continuity of care while the surgical team is occupied in the operating room. The ideal candidate values professional autonomy while recognizing the importance of collaboration, communication, and appropriate physician involvement.
Although this is not currently a formal management position, candidates who demonstrate initiative, accountability, emotional intelligence, and strong clinical leadership may have opportunities to grow as the practice expands.
With a predictable weekday clinic schedule, competitive compensation, exceptional benefits, and the ability to make a lasting difference in patients' surgical outcomes, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced PA seeking a rewarding, primarily outpatient surgical career.
For More Information Contact
Blake Moser
Email: blake@medicalrecruiting.com
Phone: 346-515-5160
Keywords
Physician Assistant, Physician Associate, PA-C, Surgical PA, Plastic Surgery Physician Assistant, Plastic Surgery Physician Associate, Reconstructive Surgery, Outpatient Surgery, Surgical Clinic, Postoperative Care, Preoperative Care, Wound Care, Clinical Autonomy, Surgical Patient Management, Advanced Practice Provider, APP, San Francisco PA Jobs, Bay Area Physician Assistant Jobs.