SCO Advanced Practice Provider

Southern California Orthopedic Institute is the preferred expert for diagnosing and treating bone, joint, and muscle injuries and conditions as well as musculoskeletal and spinal disorders in adults and children.

Our Mission

To provide comprehensive musculoskeletal and supporting services in a manner that demonstrates compassion, value and superior service for every patient encounter while promoting organizational unity and operational efficiency. 

Why work for us?

- Competitive pay which matches your abilities and experience

- Health coverage for you and your family

- Generous number of vacation days per year

- A robust wellness plan and health club discounts

Intrigued? We’d love to hear from you! Please review the job details below and then click “apply.”

Advanced Practice Provider (PA/NP) – Pain Management, Sports Medicine

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and compassionate Physician Assistant (PA-C) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) to join our sports medicine practice with a focus on pain management and comprehensive musculoskeletal care.

The APP will work closely with our Pain Management Specialist and multidisciplinary team to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients experiencing acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. This role emphasizes evidence-based, non-operative treatment strategies, patient education, functional restoration, and appropriate use of procedural interventions within the APP's training, credentialing, and scope of practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate new and established patients presenting with acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain.
• Obtain detailed medical histories and perform comprehensive physical and musculoskeletal examinations.
• Develop differential diagnoses and individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the sports medicine physician.
• Review and interpret diagnostic imaging and laboratory studies as appropriate.
• Diagnose and manage common sports medicine and musculoskeletal pain conditions.
• Develop multimodal treatment plans incorporating medication management, physical therapy, therapeutic exercise, activity modification, and other appropriate interventions.
• Perform appropriate office-based and musculoskeletal procedures based on training, experience, credentialing, and state scope of practice.
• Provide and/or assist with ultrasound-guided injections and other interventional treatments as appropriate.
• Provide pre-procedure evaluation, informed consent, patient education, and post-procedure follow-up.
• Monitor treatment effectiveness and adjust care plans based on patient response and functional progress.
• Counsel patients regarding pain management strategies, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and return to activity.
• Coordinate care with physical therapists, athletic trainers, orthopedic surgeons, primary care providers, and other specialists.
• Identify patients requiring additional diagnostic evaluation, surgical consultation, or referral to other specialists.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive electronic medical record documentation.
• Participate in clinical quality improvement and practice development initiatives.
• Maintain a high standard of patient safety, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Clinical Focus

The APP will primarily care for patients with:

• Acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain
• Sports-related injuries
• Osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease
• Tendinitis and tendinopathy
• Bursitis
• Myofascial pain
• Joint and soft-tissue pain
• Overuse injuries
• Spine-related musculoskeletal conditions
• Post-injury and postoperative pain
• Chronic pain affecting physical activity and quality of life

Pain Management Services

Depending on qualifications, training, and practice privileges, responsibilities may include:

• Conservative and multimodal pain management
• Medication management within applicable regulations
• Musculoskeletal injections
• Ultrasound-guided joint and soft-tissue injections
• Trigger point injections
• Bursa injections and aspirations
• Tendon sheath/peri-tendinous injections
• Other appropriate office-based procedures
• Patient education regarding pain, function, rehabilitation, and treatment expectations

Qualifications

• Current Physician Assistant (PA-C) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) license and national certification.
• Graduate of an accredited PA or NP program.
• Current state licensure and prescriptive authority, as applicable.
• Current BLS certification.
• DEA registration or eligibility, as applicable.
• Experience in sports medicine, orthopedics, pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, emergency medicine, or a related specialty preferred.
• Experience with musculoskeletal evaluation and procedures preferred.
• Strong clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent communication and patient education abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with physicians and a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a clinically skilled APP who is passionate about sports medicine, pain management, and helping patients regain function. The candidate should be comfortable managing a diverse musculoskeletal patient population and developing individualized treatment plans that emphasize appropriate conservative care, rehabilitation, and evidence-based pain management.

Experience with musculoskeletal ultrasound and image-guided procedures is highly desirable but not required if the candidate demonstrates a strong interest and willingness to develop these skills.

Position Highlights

• Collaborative practice with experienced sports medicine physicians.
• Diverse patient population ranging from athletes to active adults and patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
• Opportunity to develop expertise in sports medicine and pain management.
• Focus on evidence-based, non-operative treatment.
• Opportunity to perform and develop procedural skills within appropriate credentialing and scope of practice.
• Multidisciplinary approach involving physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Supportive environment emphasizing professional development and high-quality patient care.
• Competitive compensation and benefits based on experience and qualifications.

Position Details

Position: Advanced Practice Provider – PA-C / NP
Specialty: Sports Medicine / Pain Management
Employment Type: Full-Time
Clinical Focus: Musculoskeletal Pain Management and Non-Operative Sports Medicine
Reports To: Sports Medicine Physician / Medical Director

Overall Objective

The APP will be an integral member of the sports medicine team, providing high-quality, patient-centered pain management and musculoskeletal care while helping patients reduce pain, improve function, and safely return to work, exercise, sport, and everyday activities.