Questions about orthopedic PA placement

We charge no fee for the first PA we place with your practice, permanent or contract. If you aren't happy with that PA for any reason, we find a replacement at no cost. Fees for later placements are agreed in writing before we start a search, so there are no surprises.

W-2. Contract PAs we place are W-2 employees, either of the practice or of a staffing entity that bills the practice, in every state we work in. In California it isn't optional: AB 5's ABC test applies to PAs, and Labor Code 2783(b) exempts physicians, dentists and several other professions, but not physician assistants. Our California hiring guide covers the details. Have your employment counsel review any structure.

It depends mostly on licensing. A PA with an active license in your state can start as soon as privileges and your onboarding allow. A PA licensed elsewhere needs your state's license first, and hospital credentialing adds more. In California, for example, the PA Board targets 30 days for initial review. We tell you the realistic date up front rather than an optimistic one.

We place orthopaedic PAs across the US. Right now we're placing in California, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Colorado, New York City and Pennsylvania, and we'll add places as we grow. If you're somewhere else, ask anyway. We don't work outside orthopaedics. That focus is the point.

No. Matching is free for PAs. Practices pay us; we never take a cut of your rate.

FirstAssistPA is a new, small placement service founded by Anthony David Adams. You'll deal with a person, not a call center. More about us.

Yes. We place permanent hires and 3 to 6 month contract PAs, the kind of coverage often called locum tenens, for parental leave, a gap before a permanent start, or a seasonal surge. Per diem too. Contract PAs are W-2, not 1099.

We ask which cases the PA has first assisted on, which implant systems they know, and what they have closed on their own. Then we talk to a surgeon they assisted, not only a manager, before we send you their name.

Fees for later placements are agreed in writing before we start a search. There is no fee for your first placement, and no fee for a replacement if you aren't happy with the PA we place.

Orthopedic roles only: OR first assist, trauma and call, sports, joints, spine, hand and general ortho clinic. Permanent, 3 to 6 month W-2 contract, and per diem. See where we place.

No. Tell us which state licenses you hold and which are in progress. You need a license in the state where you'll practice before you start, and we plan start dates around the real licensing timeline.

No. Your details go to a practice only with your permission, role by role.

For 3 to 6 month contract roles we negotiate housing or a travel stipend as part of the offer. Tell us whether you prefer housing provided, a cash stipend, or neither.