Key Skills for General Surgery PAs
What employers look for when hiring General Surgery physician assistants.
Open and laparoscopic surgical assistWound closure & staplingDrain & line managementPre-op & post-op patient roundsCode & rapid responseOvernight surgical call
Typical Employers Hiring General Surgery PAs
The range of healthcare organizations that recruit General Surgery physician assistants.
Academic Medical Centers
Community Hospital Surgery Departments
Multispecialty Surgical Practices
Trauma Surgery Programs
Bariatric Surgery Centers
Colorectal & Hepatobiliary Groups
Why Choose General Surgery?
Surgical PA positions offer the highest procedural exposure of any PA specialty and are typically the highest-paying. The specialty demands flexibility — call, nights, and holidays are common — but compensation reflects this commitment.
General Surgery PA Job FAQ
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What does a surgical PA do day-to-day?Surgical PAs typically round on hospital patients in the morning, participate in OR cases as first or second assistants during the day, and manage post-op complications and admissions. Many cover overnight call on a rotating basis.
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What is the average surgical PA salary?Surgical PA salaries range from $125,000 to $175,000+. Academic medical center positions often include additional call compensation. Trauma surgery PAs with extensive overnight call can exceed $200,000 in total compensation.
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Do surgical PAs need prior OR experience?Most surgical PA positions require prior OR experience or completion of a surgical PA fellowship. Some high-volume academic programs will train new graduates willing to commit to a longer training period.
Find Your Next General Surgery PA Role
Connect with Blake Moser, our specialist PA recruiter. No cost to candidates. Confidential search. Nationwide coverage.
Explore PA positions in other specialties: Emergency Medicine • Orthopedic Surgery • Dermatology • Cardiology • Primary Care
For employers hiring General Surgery PAs, visit MedicalRecruiting.com.