Physician Assistant, Ortho Access, Sports Med and North Liberty Campus

The new University of Iowa Health Care North Liberty Campus opened in the Spring of 2025. This 469,000 square foot facility is home to UI Health Care’s nationally recognized Orthopedics service line, offering comprehensive, coordinated, and accessible care across outpatient, inpatient, and surgical venues. The state-of-the-art clinical facilities include a full-service community imaging center, laboratory services, physical therapy, retail pharmacy, emergency department, and an array of support services. The facility is designed to support a superior patient and staff experience, excellence in patient care, teaching, and research, convenient access to services, and engaging community partnerships.

About the role

The Orthopedic Access Advanced Practice Provider (APP) will independently evaluate and manage patients with a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions, with collaborative support from subspecialty orthopedic teams. The primary objective is to enhance timely access to orthopedic care. While the clinic serves patients with various musculoskeletal concerns, those with acute injuries will generally be directed to the Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic. For non-surgical cases, the APP will manage the patient’s care independently at the Prairie Meadow Drive location. If surgical intervention is indicated, the APP will coordinate referral to the appropriate surgical team. The role may include performing in-office procedures such as joint injections, depending on experience. Cross-coverage in the Orthopedic Injury Walk-In Clinic (North Liberty Campus) may also be expected, where the APP will evaluate musculoskeletal injuries and pain occurring within 7 days, occasionally requiring splinting and casting. Training for this will be provided.

Responsibilities

Ortho Access Clinic

• Perform evaluation and management for a variety of orthopedic conditions.
• Order medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and prescribe, dispense, or deliver medications under a collaborative practice agreement.
• Follow up with patients on diagnostics/labs and longitudinally if surgical or subspecialty consultation is not needed/desired.
• Consult and collaborate with other care team members.
• Use clinical judgment to address health issues within the total clinical picture.
• Influence others to adopt best practices.
• Complete patient medical records, reports, and forms for treatment and billing purposes.
• Improve quality of care by performing chart reviews and participating in performance improvement committees.
• Collaborate with subspecialty teams in Orthopedics as needed to facilitate care.
• Escalate care appropriately for surgical conditions.

This position is located at the Orthopedics Prairie Meadows Drive location.

Ortho Walk-In Clinic

• Triage, evaluate, and manage orthopedic injuries such as acute back pain, sprains, strains, tendon and ligament injuries, suspected fractures, and joint pain.
• Order appropriate imaging such as X-ray, CT, or MRI when indicated.
• Provide initial management, including durable medical equipment (e.g., wrist splints, slings, boots), splinting, or casting.
• Educate patients on their injury.
• Facilitate follow-up care with subspecialty surgeons and providers in the Department of Orthopedics.
• Work with the North Liberty Emergency Room staff to transfer patients when more appropriate.
• Collaborate with specialty teams in Orthopedics as needed to facilitate care.

This work location is the Main Campus North Liberty Hospital.

Requirements

• Compliance with registration and licensure requirements as specified by the Iowa Board of Physician Assistant Examiners, including graduation from an accredited PA educational program and/or certification by the NCCPA.
• A Master’s degree is highly desired.
• 2+ years of patient care experience, obtained through clinical rotations or clinical practice.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of orthopedic patient care.
• Experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Timeliness and promptness in documentation.

Qualifications

• Experience working in an orthopedic outpatient clinic is highly desired.
• Relevant orthopedic experience in ED or Urgent Care is considered.

Schedule

• Evening shift every Thursday (12 p.m. – 8 p.m.).
• Every other Saturday (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.).

This is a full-time, on-campus position. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.