Physician Assistant (PA) Pain Management

The Physician Assistant (PA) – Pain Management provides direct patient care and clinical support to two Pain Management physicians within Pinehurst Surgical Clinic’s Orthopaedic Department. This role functions as an integral part of the interdisciplinary team, supporting evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions through evidence-based medical management, patient education, and care coordination. The PA will deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while ensuring compliance with clinic policies, state and federal regulations, and applicable prescribing standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Care / Clinical Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive and focused histories and physical examinations for patients with acute and chronic pain conditions.
• Evaluate and manage pain-related conditions including (but not limited to) spine pain, radiculopathy, neuropathic pain, joint pain, post-surgical pain, and complex pain syndromes.
• Develop and implement treatment plans under physician collaboration, including medication management and non-opioid strategies.
• Provide follow-up care, monitoring treatment effectiveness and adjusting plans in collaboration with physicians.
• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatment options, medication risks/benefits, and expected outcomes.
• Order, interpret, and review diagnostic testing and imaging (e.g., X-ray, MRI, CT, EMG) as appropriate.
• Identify red flag symptoms requiring escalation or immediate physician involvement.

Medication Management & Controlled Substances Compliance

• Prescribe medications within scope of practice, including pain and adjunct therapies, following clinic protocols and state/federal requirements.
• Support safe opioid stewardship, including:
  • Risk stratification and monitoring
  • PDMP checks and documentation
  • Urine drug screening workflows as applicable
  • Controlled substance agreements as applicable
  • Patient counseling regarding safe use and storage
• Document all medication decisions clearly and thoroughly in the medical record.

Procedures (As Competency/Privileges Allow)

• Assist pain management physicians with procedures and/or provide procedural support as trained and credentialed (examples may include pre/post-procedure patient assessments, consenting processes, documentation support, post-procedure instructions).
• Conduct pre-procedure evaluations and post-procedure follow-up visits as delegated.

Care Coordination / Clinic Flow

• Coordinate care with Orthopaedics, Physical Therapy, Imaging, Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and other specialties as appropriate.
• Provide timely review and response to clinical messages, lab/imaging results, medication refill requests, and patient calls according to clinical standards.
• Participate in daily huddles and work closely with nursing/MA staff to ensure efficient clinic operations.
• Provide supportive clinical coverage to maintain continuity of care when physicians are in procedure blocks.

Documentation & Compliance

• Document all visits, evaluations, plans of care, procedures, and patient communications in the EMR in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain compliance with:
  • Pinehurst Surgical Clinic policies and clinical standards
  • HIPAA privacy and security requirements
  • Credentialing, privileging, and scope-of-practice requirements
  • Regulatory requirements related to controlled substance prescribing
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, patient safety efforts, and chart audits as assigned.

Patient Experience & Professional Standards

• Demonstrate professionalism, respect, empathy, and confidentiality at all times.
• Promote positive patient experiences and maintain excellent customer service standards.
• Communicate clearly and collaboratively with physicians, staff, and patients.
• Support a team-based culture within the Orthopaedic and Pain Management service lines.

Required

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Current or eligible for North Carolina PA licensure.
• Current NCCPA certification.
• Current BLS certification (ACLS preferred depending on clinic need).
• Ability to work full-time (40 hours/week) in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication skills, and attention to detail.

Preferred

• 1+ years clinical experience as a PA (pain management, orthopaedics, spine, neurology, or family medicine strongly preferred).
• Experience managing chronic pain patients, complex medication regimens, and/or controlled substance protocols.
• Familiarity with EMR systems and documentation standards in specialty practice.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Expertise in patient assessment and treatment planning for pain-related conditions.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of opioid stewardship and safe prescribing practices.
• Ability to manage competing demands while maintaining quality and patient satisfaction.
• Professional communication skills with patients, families, physicians, and clinical staff.
• Commitment to continuous learning and clinical best practices.