Physician Assistant - Cardiothoracic Surgery

The Surgical Physician Assistant (PA) provides comprehensive patient care in collaboration with supervising surgeons across the continuum of care, including inpatient, outpatient, surgical, and telehealth settings. The PA is responsible for evaluating, diagnosing, and managing patients; developing treatment plans; and performing procedures within the scope of practice and delegated authority.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Obtain and document comprehensive medical histories and perform physical examinations.
• Order, interpret, and analyze diagnostic studies, including laboratory and imaging results.
• Develop and implement patient treatment plans in collaboration with supervising surgeons.
• Prescribe medications, including controlled substances, in accordance with state regulations, organizational policies, and delegated prescriptive authority.
• Serve as a first assistant during surgical procedures and provide perioperative patient management.
• Perform approved surgical and clinical procedures under direct, indirect, or delegated physician supervision.
• Provide preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up care, including patient evaluations, consultations, and care coordination.
• Conduct hospital rounds, assess patient progress, and manage ongoing treatment plans.
• Perform bedside and office-based procedures within the scope of practice.
• Manage patient care in outpatient clinics, including diagnosis, treatment, education, and preventive care services.
• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, procedures, treatment plans, medications, and follow-up care.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, ancillary departments, administration, and other healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality patient care and positive outcomes.
• Participate in interdisciplinary conferences, grand rounds, quality improvement initiatives, and continuing medical education activities.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant medical documentation within the electronic health record.
• Support continuity of care across inpatient, outpatient, procedural, and surgical settings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of surgical and medical management principles.
• Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and procedural skills.
• Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced surgical environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment and independent decision-making within delegated authority.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records, telehealth platforms, and other healthcare technology systems.

Work Schedule and Call Requirements

• Participate in weekday, weeknight, weekend, and holiday call coverage as assigned.
• Provide on-call support requiring timely clinical decision-making and patient management across surgical care settings.
• Work collaboratively with the surgical team to ensure continuous patient care coverage and optimal clinical outcomes.

Education and Licensure Requirements

• 5 years of APP experience required
• Vein Harvesting experience is required
• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Current Physician Assistant licensure in the applicable state.
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications required (or as applicable).
• Eligibility for hospital privileges and credentialing in accordance with organizational and medical staff requirements.