Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant

Job Summary and Responsibilities

CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group is actively seeking a Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant to add to our inpatient practice at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington, KY. We currently have 2 Cardiac Surgeons and 4 Physician Assistants (3 Surgical and 1 Non‑Surgical). The ideal candidate would be someone who has previous surgical experience and is willing to learn - we are open to new graduates!

Highlights of our program include:

• Inpatient-only position
• Surgical/First Assist on Operating Room cases
  • Harvesting veins for CABG procedures
  • Placing arterial lines
  • Placing chest tubes

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive Salary
• Additional pay for call
• Yearly bonus opportunities
• Sign‑On Bonus/Relocation Assistance
• 401K Contribution Match
• Competitive Time Off Policy
• Designated CME days and CME Stipend each year

Schedule:

• Monday - Friday, with one weekend of rounding per month
  • On the weekends, you can expect to just round on patients
  • Weekend call is paid in addition to base pay (session pay)
• Call required for this position (1:4)
  • Expectation of call is for surgeries only, with a post‑call day if called in for surgery

Common Procedures:

• Adult Cardiac Surgery
• Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
• Aortic Valve Surgery
• Coronary Bypass Surgery
• Minimally invasive Heart Surgery
• Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement surgery
• Open heart surgery
• Valve repair and replacement surgery
• Major aortic surgery
• Coronary bypass
• Beating heart cardiac operations
• Arrhythmia surgery (the MAZE operation)
• Cardiac assist devices
• Ventricular restorative procedures

Job Requirements

Required Education, Credentials, Licenses (PA‑C):

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program; meets the requirement for certification/re‑certification.
• Licensure as a Physician Assistant in Kentucky; completion of CME requirements.
• Saint Joseph Hospital Staff Membership & Privileges.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Desirable Education, Credentials, Licenses:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Where You'll Work

Lexington, The Horse Capital of the World is a picturesque city surrounded by horse farms known for our bourbon, street art, nightlife, food, shopping, architecture, history, craft beer, schools, music and the friendly people. Located conveniently on the interstate 75 and interstate 64 corridor, Cincinnati, OH and Louisville, KY are only a short hour away for a more Urban atmosphere. Lexington has been ranked #15 in the US News and World Report's Best Places to Live.

CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group now part of CommonSpirit Health formed between Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health includes 275 providers delivering quality care to patients across 88 locations in central and eastern Kentucky. Our full service network delivers a variety of Primary Care Services including Family Internal Geriatric and Pediatric Medicine in addition to several specialties to deliver custom care based on the unique needs of our patients.

Saint Joseph Hospital, a cornerstone of healthcare in Lexington, Kentucky, boasts a rich history spanning over a century. Its journey reflects the evolution of medicine, the changing needs of the community, and the enduring spirit of service. SJH became a pioneer in the region, introducing new technologies and treatments, including the first open‑heart surgery in Kentucky in 1963. Today, Saint Joseph Hospital remains a leading healthcare provider in Lexington, offering a wide range of services, including advanced surgical procedures, cancer care, and heart and vascular care.

Catholic Health Initiatives is a part of CommonSpirit, one of the nation's largest health systems dedicated to advancing health for all people.