Physician Assistant - Neurosurgery - Functional Neurosurgery

Penn State Health - Hershey Medical CenterLocation: US:PA: Hershey

Work Type: Full Time

FTE: 1.0

Shift: Varied

Shift Differential: Exempt: Yes

Hours: Varied

Recruiter Contact: Please contact Esther I. Zechman at ezechman@pennstatehealth.psu.edu for additional information.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:The Department of Neurosurgery is seeking a highly motivated Physician Assistant to support a high-volume, academically active Functional Neurosurgery practice. The APP will work collaboratively with attending neurosurgeons, residents, fellows, nursing staff, and ancillary services to deliver comprehensive care to patients with movement disorders, epilepsy, pain syndromes, spasticity, and other functional neurosurgical conditions.

This role emphasizes longitudinal patient care, perioperative management, procedural support, and coordination of multidisciplinary care. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and demonstrate strong clinical judgment, organizational skills, and interest in functional neurosurgery.

Primary Responsibilities

Clinical Care

• Conduct comprehensive outpatient evaluations for functional neurosurgery patients, including pre-operative consultations and post-operative follow-up
• Manage perioperative care for patients undergoing procedures such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), epilepsy surgery, intrathecal pump placement, spinal cord stimulation, and lesioning procedures
• Perform inpatient rounds, write progress notes, and coordinate care plans in collaboration with attending neurosurgeons and trainees
• Participate in patient counseling, informed consent discussions (as appropriate), and education regarding surgical procedures and postoperative expectations
• Manage routine postoperative issues, medication adjustments, and symptom-based care under established protocols
  
  

Procedural and Operative Support

• Assist in the operating room for functional neurosurgical procedures, as appropriate to training and credentialing
• Provide perioperative and postoperative procedural support, including wound care, device troubleshooting, and postoperative assessments
• Participate in DBS programming support and coordination (training provided as needed)
  
  

Care Coordination and Program Support

• Coordinate multidisciplinary care with neurology, neuropsychology, psychiatry, physical therapy, and other specialties
• Facilitate surgical scheduling, pre-operative testing, and postoperative follow-up
• Serve as a point of contact for patients and families, ensuring continuity of care and timely communication
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives and clinical pathway development
  
  

Academic and Professional Activities

• Participate in teaching of residents, fellows, and students
• Contribute to clinical research, database management, or outcomes tracking, depending on interest and program needs
• Support departmental educational and academic missions
  
  

Preferred

• Prior experience in neurosurgery, neurology, or a surgical subspecialty
• Interest in functional neurosurgery, movement disorders, or epilepsy
• Experience in inpatient and outpatient surgical care environments
  
  

WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?

Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.

Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:

• Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
• Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
• Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
• Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
• Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
  
  

WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?

Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.

YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.

This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.

Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.

Union: Non Bargained