Scrub In, Stand Out — Surgical Physician Assistant Opportunity in Coastal Virginia

Overview

There is a particular kind of focus that settles over a skilled Physician Assistant the moment they walk into an operating room. It is quiet confidence, earned through training and sharpened through experience. If that description sounds like you, then you already understand what this role is about — and why it matters so deeply.

We are actively seeking a full-time Surgical Physician Assistant to join a dedicated and highly collaborative surgical team. From the moment a patient enters the pre-operative space to the day they complete their post-surgical recovery, your presence will shape their experience in meaningful ways. You will work directly alongside board-certified surgeons, skilled nurses, and support staff who believe that outstanding outcomes begin with outstanding teamwork. This is the kind of environment where your instincts are respected, your preparation is noticed, and your commitment to patient-centered care is genuinely celebrated.

Job Description

• Perform thorough patient evaluations, including head-to-toe physical assessments and in-depth medical history reviews prior to surgical procedures
• Interpret diagnostic imaging, laboratory data, and clinical findings to support surgical diagnosis and care planning
• Work in close collaboration with attending surgeons to develop individualized treatment strategies and procedural approaches
• Deliver hands-on intraoperative assistance — from sterile room preparation and patient positioning to instrument handling throughout surgical cases
• Manage pre- and post-operative patient care, including medication oversight, wound assessment, discharge coordination, and patient and family education

Education

• Master's degree from a nationally accredited Physician Assistant program
• Clinical rotation experience with an emphasis in surgical settings is strongly preferred

Certifications

• Active and unrestricted PA-C certification through the NCCPA
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications required
• Virginia state PA licensure in good standing, or documented eligibility to obtain licensure

Skills

• Solid foundational knowledge of surgical principles, sterile technique, and operative protocols
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize diagnostic findings and contribute meaningfully to complex clinical decisions
• Clear, effective communicator with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members alike
• Composure and competence in high-acuity, fast-moving surgical environments
• Genuine empathy and an unwavering commitment to treating each patient with dignity and respect

Benefits

• Highly competitive base salary with performance-based incentive opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off along with CME reimbursement and professional development support
• A collaborative and encouraging team environment with access to advanced clinical resources
• Clear pathways for career growth within a progressive and expanding healthcare system

What Your Day Actually Looks Like

No two days in surgical medicine are quite the same, and that is exactly what keeps exceptional PAs engaged. Some mornings, you will begin in pre-op, walking a nervous patient through what to expect, answering their questions, and making sure every detail of their chart reflects the full picture of who they are medically. By midday, you may be deep in an intraoperative case, anticipating every move with the kind of intuitive precision that only comes from real experience.

Afternoons might find you in the recovery unit, reviewing wound healing progress, adjusting post-op plans, or sitting with a family member who just needs someone to explain what comes next in plain, human terms. Your clinical contributions extend far beyond the OR doors — they ripple through the entire surgical experience from first consult to final follow-up.

You will participate in cases ranging from minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures to more complex inpatient surgeries, always supported by a team that values your expertise and trusts your judgment. Your voice carries weight here. Your recommendations are taken seriously. And your care — the kind that shows up in quiet, unremarkable moments — is what patients remember long after they have healed.

Life on the Chesapeake: Where the Water Meets the Good Life

When the workday winds down, you will step into one of the most quietly spectacular places on the Eastern Seaboard. Chesapeake, Virginia is a city that rewards those who take the time to discover it — and there is so much to uncover.

Imagine kayaking through the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge on a Saturday morning, where cypress trees rise from still water and the silence feels almost sacred. Or spending a Sunday afternoon exploring the Chesapeake Arboretum, where trails wind through native plantings and the air smells of pine and possibility. The city sits at the heart of the Hampton Roads region, giving you effortless access to Virginia Beach's oceanfront, the storied streets of Norfolk's arts district, and the ferry rides across the Elizabeth River that feel more like an adventure than a commute.

The food scene here is as rich as the waterways. Fresh Chesapeake Bay blue crab and locally caught seafood define the dining culture, served up everywhere from waterfront shacks to polished restaurants that would hold their own in any major city. BBQ joints, Southern comfort kitchens, and farm-to-table spots round out a culinary landscape that is deeply satisfying and endlessly varied.

Housing is refreshingly attainable for a metro of its scale, and Virginia's overall tax climate means your paycheck goes further than you might expect. Whether you are drawn to a newer neighborhood with modern amenities, a charming older home near the waterway, or a quiet wooded lot where deer wander through at dusk, Chesapeake offers a range of living options that suit nearly every lifestyle and life stage.

The community itself is warm, grounded, and proud — the kind of place where neighbors know each other, local events draw real crowds, and military heritage and civic pride walk hand in hand. It is a city that feels established and evolving at the same time, with a pace of life that allows you to breathe while still feeling genuinely connected to something larger.

The Kind of Person We Are Looking For

You do not need to have decades of surgical experience to thrive here — though if you do, we would love to hear your story. What matters most is how you show up: with intellectual curiosity, steady hands, and a heart that stays focused on the human being behind the diagnosis.

We are looking for someone who double-checks the details not because they are told to, but because they care too much not to. Someone who can hold space for a frightened patient while simultaneously processing clinical data and communicating with a surgical team. If you lead with humility, learn with enthusiasm, and find deep satisfaction in helping someone recover their quality of life, you will fit right in.

Precision Has a Home Here — and So Do You

This is more than a career move. It is an opportunity to plant roots in a city that gives back as much as you put in, while doing work that genuinely changes lives. If you are ready to bring your surgical skills, your clinical instincts, and your full self to a team that will match your dedication and value your presence every single day, we are ready to meet you.

Apply today and take the next step toward a role — and a life — that feels exactly right.