Physician Assistant

CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY - PA

Position Summary

Comprehensive Cardiothoracic Surgery patient management. The Physician Assistant (PA) performs physical exams, collects and documents data, conducts approved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, orders and schedules laboratory studies and professional evaluations, prescribes appropriate interventions and medications, and provides direct patient care services, as well as Clinical Support for the Cardiothoracic Surgery Service Line initiatives in collaboration with CHSLI affiliated provider groups.

Reports to the Cardiothoracic Surgery Coordinator.

Job Details

Position: Physician Assistant – Cardiothoracic Surgery

Position Requirements and Qualifications

• Education: PA must be a graduate of a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant; Master’s preferred – Will consider new grad with relevant PA electives or clinical background.
• Licensure / Certification: New York State PA license required; PA must have current NCCPA certification; Must be BLS/ACLS/AED Certified by either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. No other organizations will be acceptable; DEA license required.
• Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience: Previous Cardiothoracic Surgery preferred.
• Computer skills: Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office and Outlook email required.
• Electronic Health Records: Familiarity with Electronic Health Records.
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard.

Cardiothoracic PA Performance Responsibilities

• Function as a first or second assistant under the direction of the surgeon during all major and minor Cardiothoracic surgical procedures (when competencies are met).
• Harvest and prepare saphenous veins suitable for coronary artery bypass grafting (when competencies are met).
• Be on‑call at assigned times to assist the attending surgeons in urgent or emergency surgical procedures outside usual working hours.
• Assist in the necessary preparation prior to surgery.
• Participate with respect to all Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery patients, including the performance of H & P, the ordering of additional tests if indicated and the review of all lab results, notifying the attending surgeon of all abnormal results.
• Write appropriate admission orders on all patients being admitted to the Cardiothoracic Surgery service.
• Assist in providing pre‑ and post‑operative care under the supervision of the surgeon for those patients assigned.
• Write appropriate orders, including those for lab tests, medications, narcotics, stimulants and depressant drugs for patients under the care of the supervising surgeon.
• Write routine pre‑ and post‑operative orders, as necessary, for patient care.
• Perform routine procedures in the pre‑ and post‑operative care of patients as assigned by the responsible attending surgeon.
• Insert catheters, nasogastric tubes, intravenous infusions, intra‑arterial and urethral catheters.
• Remove jugular, subclavian and arterial lines, Swan‑Ganz lines, epicardial pacing wires and mediastinal and pleural chest tubes.
• Perform emergency life‑saving procedures in such cases as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, massive hemorrhage, or similar catastrophes in the absence of a physician.
• Provide training and instructions for students, paramedicals and/or other non‑physician professionals associated with the Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
• Make daily patient rounds, either independently or with the attending surgeon.
• Write appropriate progress notes on patients’ charts indicating patient status, treatments and procedures carried out.
• Notify the supervising surgeon of any unusual or unexpected events or problems requiring direct physician consultation.
• Write appropriate orders and enter the requisite documentation in the progress notes for the institution and maintenance of physical restraints for patients consistent with current hospital policy and applicable State law.
• Remain in the hospital during regularly scheduled working hours unless excused by the Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery or his/her designee.
• Perform other duties and procedures as required to insure proper care for patients and the functioning of the department in general. The Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery or his designee will assign these additional procedures/duties.

Salary Range

USD $74.68 - $93.00 /Hr.