Instructor - Physician Assistant (Orthopedic Sports Medicine)

Job Summary:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics seeks a full-time Instructor - Physician Assistant to join Dr. Rachel Frank's academic orthopedic sports medicine, joint preservation and sports surgery practice. This position is part of an expanding multidisciplinary clinical team caring for patients with athletic injuries, knee and shoulder conditions, and other sports-related musculoskeletal disorders. The PA will collaborate closely with Dr. Frank, fellow APPs, clinical staff, and trainees while supporting timely access, high-quality care, and continuity across outpatient, operative, and postoperative settings. The role is a non-tenure-track faculty appointment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Outpatient sports medicine evaluation and treatment: Provide comprehensive evaluation and management of new and established patients with acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including sports-related knee and shoulder injuries. Obtain histories, perform examinations, develop differential diagnoses and evidence-based treatment plans, order and interpret diagnostic studies within scope, and identify cases requiring physician consultation.

• Independent and collaborative clinic care: Manage assigned follow-up, postoperative, and appropriately selected new-patient visits through independent or parallel PA clinics as experience and privileges permit. Coordinate closely with Dr. Frank and other team APPs to support patient access, continuity of care, timely escalation of complex cases, and efficient clinic operations.

• Perioperative management and surgical assistance: Complete preoperative assessments, patient counseling, surgical preparation, and postoperative follow-up. Assist Dr. Frank in the operating room, including surgical first-assist responsibilities as privileged; support perioperative orders, medication reconciliation, discharge planning, incision/wound assessments, and postoperative complication triage.

• Procedures and nonsurgical management: Provide conservative orthopedic treatment and patient education, including rehabilitation and return-to-activity guidance. Order appropriate physical or occupational therapy, imaging, medications, orthoses, bracing, and durable medical equipment. Perform joint aspirations, injections, wound care, dressing changes, and splinting/casting as clinically appropriate; ultrasound-guided procedures only with required training and privileges.

• Care coordination and clinical communication: Review test results, address patient portal messages and telephone concerns, facilitate referrals, coordinate with physical therapists and multidisciplinary partners, and communicate changes in patient status to Dr. Frank. Support coverage and handoffs across clinic, surgery, and, when assigned, inpatient or emergency-department consultation settings.

• Documentation, safety, and practice operations: Maintain complete and timely Epic documentation, encounter closure, coding-support documentation, prescriptions and orders within authority, and required administrative forms (including work/school restrictions and FMLA). Follow patient safety, infection prevention, privacy, regulatory, and clinical-practice standards; collaborate with clinic staff to maintain effective workflows.

• Academic and professional contributions: Participate in orthopedic sports medicine conferences, education of medical students, residents, fellows, and PA learners as appropriate, development of patient education materials and clinical protocols, quality-improvement work, and community or athletic-event outreach when assigned. Research and scholarly activities may be available based on practice needs and faculty interest.

Work Location:

Onsite - This clinical role is based in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado. Assigned practice locations may include CU Sports Medicine facilities, Highlands Ranch Hospital, Cherry Creek Medical Center, Broomfield, and other affiliated orthopedic practice or surgical sites, based on clinical need. Specific sites and operating-room assignments will be determined with Dr. Frank and clinic leadership. The primary schedule is expected to be weekdays, with occasional early starts, evening commitments, or weekend clinical responsibilities as needed; no independent call is assumed in this draft.

Why Join Us:

Join a growing academic sports medicine practice with opportunities for collaborative patient care, operative experience, teaching, and professional development. The University of Colorado Anschutz provides an integrated clinical and academic environment.
Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 11/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant program.

• Current or eligibility for Colorado PA licensure by start date.

• NCCPA certification (PA-C) by start date.

• Current BLS certification; ability to obtain ACLS if required by assigned clinical privileges.

Condition of Employment:

• Ability to obtain and maintain required hospital/health-system credentials, privileges, and prescribing authorization as applicable.

• Maintain active licensure, certification, clinical privileges, and required institutional training.

• Comply with applicable clinical partner policies, including medical surveillance and vaccination requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, musculoskeletal care, or an operative specialty.

• Experience in perioperative care and surgical first-assisting.

• Familiarity with Epic, clinical documentation, patient education, and multidisciplinary care coordination.

• New graduates with relevant clinical rotations and strong musculoskeletal preparation may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong musculoskeletal assessment and clinical decision-making skills, with sound judgment on when to escalate to a physician.

• Effective teamwork, communication, organization, and patient-centered service.

• Ability to work across clinic and surgical sites and adapt to changing schedules.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit:
1. Letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest in the position.
2. Curriculum vitae or resume.
3. Five professional references, including contact information.
Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.
Questions should be directed to: Lindsey Renn, HR and Academic Affairs Manager, lindsey.renn@cuanschutz.edu.

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by 12/31/2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:
$111,010 to $147,846 annually at 1.0 FTE
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.