Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant – Thoracic Surgery

St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center – Roslyn, New York

Position: Physician Assistant – Thoracic Surgery

Schedule: Full-Time – Varied Schedule

Position Overview

St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Physician Assistant (PA) to provide clinical and surgical support to Dr. Lawrence Spier and the Thoracic Surgery team .

The PA will work closely with Dr. Spier and the multidisciplinary thoracic surgery team to provide comprehensive perioperative, postoperative, and inpatient care for patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures. The position will include a strong operating room component , as well as inpatient and postoperative patient management.

The ideal candidate will have prior surgical experience, strong clinical judgment, excellent communication skills, and an interest in developing a long-term career in thoracic surgery.

Key Responsibilities

Operating Room & Surgical Support

• Provide first-assist support to Dr. Spier during thoracic surgical procedures.
• Assist with surgical exposure, tissue handling, hemostasis, closure, and other operative responsibilities appropriate to the PA's training and competency.
• Prepare for scheduled surgical cases by reviewing patient history, imaging, laboratory results, and operative plans.
• Participate in preoperative patient evaluation and surgical planning.
• Maintain knowledge of thoracic surgical anatomy, procedures, instrumentation, and perioperative protocols.
• Communicate effectively with the surgeon, anesthesia team, nursing staff, and other operating room personnel.
• Assist with emergent and urgent thoracic surgical cases as needed.

Inpatient & Postoperative Management

• Perform daily assessments of postoperative thoracic surgery patients.
• Obtain histories and perform physical examinations.
• Monitor patients for postoperative complications and initiate appropriate evaluation and treatment.
• Review laboratory results, imaging, vital signs, and other clinical data.
• Develop and implement patient care plans in collaboration with Dr. Spier and the thoracic surgery team.
• Manage postoperative pain, fluid and electrolyte needs, respiratory status, nutrition, and other routine surgical care.
• Monitor and manage surgical wounds, drains, and chest tubes.
• Assist with chest tube removal and other postoperative procedures when appropriately trained and privileged.
• Coordinate patient care with consulting services, nursing, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Assist with discharge planning, medication reconciliation, patient education, and outpatient follow-up.

Thoracic Surgical Patient Management

• Provide comprehensive care to patients throughout the perioperative period.
• Recognize and appropriately respond to complications following thoracic surgery.
• Assist in the evaluation and management of postoperative respiratory complications.
• Monitor chest tube output, air leaks, drainage, and other relevant postoperative findings.
• Participate in postoperative rounds and communicate changes in patient status to Dr. Spier and the surgical team.
• Provide continuity of care between the operating room, inpatient unit, and outpatient setting.

Clinical Collaboration

• Work directly with Dr. Lawrence Spier and members of the Thoracic Surgery service.
• Collaborate with intensivists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Communicate effectively with patients and families regarding procedures, treatment plans, recovery, and discharge instructions.
• Serve as a clinical resource for nursing and other members of the care team.
• Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and case discussions.

Procedures

When appropriate training, competency validation, and hospital privileging have been obtained, the PA may perform or assist with procedures within the approved scope of practice, including:

• Chest tube placement and removal
• Central venous catheter placement
• Arterial line placement
• Wound management
• Surgical drain management and removal
• Suturing and wound closure
• Other thoracic surgical procedures consistent with training, competency, and hospital privileges

Qualifications

Education & Certification

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Current New York State Physician Assistant license and registration .
• NCCPA certification.
• Current BLS and ACLS certification.
• Eligible for hospital credentialing and clinical privileges.

Experience

• Previous surgical PA experience strongly preferred.
• Thoracic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, surgical ICU, or general surgery experience preferred.
• Demonstrated operating room first-assist experience preferred.
• Experience managing postoperative surgical patients preferred.
• Experience with chest tubes, surgical drains, postoperative respiratory management, and surgical wound care preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong surgical and clinical assessment skills.
• Excellent knowledge of perioperative and postoperative patient management.
• Strong understanding of thoracic surgical procedures and postoperative complications.
• Ability to recognize changes in patient condition and escal
• Strong technical and procedural skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-acuity, fast-paced surgical environment.
• Ability to prioritize multiple clinical responsibilities while maintaining patient safety and quality of care.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation.

Professional Development

The PA will have the opportunity to develop advanced expertise in thoracic surgery through direct collaboration with Dr. Spier and the Thoracic Surgery team.

Responsibilities may expand as the PA demonstrates competency and obtains additional training and hospital privileges. The position is intended for a PA who is interested in developing a strong surgical skill set and becoming an integral member of the thoracic surgery service.

Scope of Practice

The PA will practice under the supervision and direction of the appropriate supervising physician and within the scope of New York State licensure, NCCPA certification, education, training, demonstrated competency, and hospital-approved clinical privileges.

All procedural responsibilities will be performed only after completion of required training, competency validation, and hospital privileging.

This position is dedicated to Thoracic Surgery and is designed to provide direct surgical, operating room, and postoperative support to Dr. Lawrence Spier and the Thoracic Surgery service.