Physician Assistant - Plastic Surgery - Kelsey Seybold Clinic - Main Campus
- Job Category: Clinical
- Primary Location: Houston, TX
- Schedule: Full-time
- Req #: 408905
Explore opportunities with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, part of the Optum family of businesses. Work with one of the nation's leading health care organizations and build your career at one of our 40+ locations throughout Houston. Be part of a team that is nationally recognized for delivering coordinated and accountable care. As a multi-specialty clinic, we offer care from more than 900 medical providers in 65 medical specialties. Take on a rewarding opportunity to help drive higher quality, higher patient satisfaction and lower total costs. Join us and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Position Highlights:
The Physician Assistant in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery will work in a variety of settings that encompass cosmetic surgery, wound and burn management and reconstruction of soft tissue deformities that result from congenital, traumatic, oncologic and chronic disease.
This specialty involves a broad patient population from infancy to geriatrics.
Clinical responsibilities will include patient management in the clinic, hospital wards and the operating room.
The PA acts to extend the reach of the attending physician to more effectively and efficiently provide optimum care to the Kelsey-Seybold patient population.
Performs specific duties delineated by their primary attending surgeon
Attends at least one plastic surgical CME offering per year
Must maintain clinical privileges at the hospitals of the attending plastic surgeons within the group
Performs clinic encounters independent of the surgeon
Participates in communication with the plastic surgery nurses, coordinators and medical assistants in coordinating patient care, scheduling and follow-up protocols.
Assists in the preoperative assessment and preparation of the necessary paperwork and orders for scheduled cases.
Performs wound checks, suture removal, drain removal and tissue expansions
Cares for patients with complex wounds and coordinates treatment with our wound care service
Performs minor surgical procedures without in-room supervision including wound debridement, wound repair, injectable therapy, chemical peels, dermabrasion, tattooing and laser skin care
Performs clinic and hospital consultations in the surgeon's absence
Participates in a call pool shared with the other plastic surgery attendings and physician assistants that will include weekend hospital rounds and calls.
Covers the responsibilities of other plastic surgery physician assistants when they are off duty
Operating Room Duties & Responsibilities:
Performs first assistant duties
Obtains/maintains fundamental knowledge of anatomy prior to each case
Obtains/maintains fundamental knowledge of the surgical technique for each case
Contributes intelligent input into the surgical procedure
Prepares and ensures availability of inventory and all necessary plastic surgical supplies, medications, and prostheses for each case
Is present at the beginning of each case to direct and assist the operating room staff with patient positioning and preparation prior to the case in addition to dressing and securing a safe transfer of the patient to the post anesthesia care unit at the completion of the case
Hospital Duties & Responsibilities:
Follows patients and writes progress notes independently of the attending surgeon
Writes orders to guide the management of patients in the Recovery Room, ICU and wards
Maintains clear communication with the attending surgeon and any consultants regarding patient status, both pre and post discharge.
Dictates discharge summaries
What makes an Optum career different?
- As the largest employer of Advanced Practice Clinicians, we have a best-in-class employee experience and enable you to practice at the top of your license
- We believe that better care for clinicians equates to better care for patients
- We are influencing change collectively on a national scale while still maintaining the culture and community of our local care organizations
- We grow talent from within. No matter where you want to go- geographically or professionally- you can do it here
Required Qualifications:
- Has the ability to facilitate and incorporate the full breadth of PA training into the practice - from basic primary-care assessments to advanced intra-operative skills
- Must be current in BCLS and ACLS and be comfortable with management of cardiac and respiratory emergencies.
- Has or is capable of obtaining excellent suturing skills
- Has experience or is capable of obtaining training in microsurgical techniques
- Understands reimbursement criteria and plastic surgery coding
- Ability to build rapport with patients
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Graduate from an ARC-PA accredited physician assistant program by start date
- License, Certification, Registration
- NCCPA certified at time of hire and maintained throughout career at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic
- Texas State Physician Assistant License issued by Physician Assistant Board under Medical Board of Texas by date of hire
Compensation for this specialty generally ranges from $113,000 - $173,500. Total cash compensation includes base pay and bonus and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.
OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
“Working at Optum provides you an opportunity where you can learn, not just from the CMEs but from other staff physicians that have experience. It’s a team-based model, so you never practice alone – whether you are a new grad or you have experience.”
What makes the Optum organization different?
Providers are supported to practice at the peak of their license.
Our culture is one of clinical innovation, collaboration and transformation.
We recognize that if you want to provide good care and do it well, you can’t do it alone. This is the foundation of the team-based care model.
We are influencing change on a national scale while still maintaining the culture and community of our local care organizations.
Compensation & Benefits Highlights
- Competitive compensation
- Dedicated CME time and allowance
- Robust retirement package
- Student loan repayment program (available in specific locations)
- Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) – discount on UnitedHealth Group (UHG) stock
- Physician partnership and incentive opportunities with Optum
- Growth, additional income opportunities and more

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our mission calls us, our values guide us and our diverse culture connects us as we seek to improve care for the consumers we are privileged to serve and their communities. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our core values of integrity, compassion, inclusion, relationships, innovation and performance steer our actions and interactions. They also guide us to achieve our mission to help people live healthier lives and to help make the health system work better for everyone. And throughout it all, we are united by a culture that cultivates a workplace like no other.
