Physician Assistant Surgical — Thoracic Surgery

Albany Medical Center is seeking a skilled and dedicated Physician Assistant (PA) to join our high-performing Thoracic Surgery team, with additional responsibilities across inpatient care and multidisciplinary coordination. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to work in a high-acuity surgical setting while also contributing to broader hospital-based medical care.

Thoracic Surgery & ICU Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive care for patients with thoracic conditions, from initial assessment through surgery and postoperative critical care.
• Assist in the diagnosis and surgical management of thoracic diseases including lung cancer, esophageal pathology, pleural disease, and mediastinal masses.
• Perform or assist in thoracic surgical procedures such as thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and other minimally invasive techniques.
• Manage critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), including postoperative thoracic surgery patients and those requiring advanced life support.
• Conduct preoperative evaluations and risk assessments, contribute to multidisciplinary planning and informed patient consent.
• Monitor and manage ICU patients that are ventilated, have hemodynamic instability, fluid imbalance, and sedation within ICU protocols.
• Perform bedside procedures including chest tube insertion, central and arterial line placement, endotracheal intubation, and thoracentesis.
• Interpret imaging and diagnostic data (e.g., chest X-rays, CT scans, ABGs, labs) to guide both surgical and ICU care.
• Actively participate in daily ICU rounds, surgical case discussions, and thoracic oncology multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings.
• Coordinate postoperative care, monitor for complications such as bleeding, infection, respiratory distress, or arrhythmias, and intervene promptly when needed.
• Educate patients and families regarding surgical procedures, ICU care plans, recovery expectations, and discharge instructions.
• Ensure adherence to infection control protocols, ICU safety standards, and institutional guidelines for patient care.

General Inpatient Medical Management:

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments and physical exams.
• Order and interpret laboratory and imaging tests; develop and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
• Prescribe medications and therapies based on current clinical guidelines.
• Participate in the care of patients on inpatient consult services, including those admitted under Surgery, Medicine, Trauma, Pediatrics, and Ob/Gyn.
• Support emergency and inpatient assessments, triage decisions, and follow-ups.
• Educate patients and families about procedures, recovery expectations, and health management strategies.

Clinical Leadership & Support:

• Serve as a clinical resource and team leader during shifts to ensure efficient workflow and high standards of care.
• Ensure accurate documentation, coding, and billing practices.
• Maintain inventory of medical supplies, prepare patients for procedures, and ensure a safe, organized clinical environment.

Work Schedule:

• 24/7 in-house coverage of Cardiac Surgery Service utilizing 24-hour shifts.
• Flexibility for 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts based on clinical demand.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited PA program with current NCCPA certification.
• Active state PA license and prescriptive authority.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a surgical or hospital-based acute care setting (CT Surgery experience strongly preferred).
• Skilled in ICU management and invasive bedside procedures.
• Strong knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical-surgical care.
• Excellent clinical judgment, teamwork, and communication skills.

We offer a highly competitive benefits package, including:

• Competitive base salary range $124,693-$145,475 depending on academic rank with additional incentive bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule
• Albany Med retirement plan plus a 403(b)
• Annual CME allowance and dedicated CME time
• Occurrence-based malpractice coverage
• Employee wellness programs and mental health support

Albany Medical Center is the centerpiece of medicine, research, and medical education in New York’s Capital Region and is the area's largest private employer with more than 10,000 employees.

Albany Medical Center offers excellent career opportunities in a wide range of roles in both patient care and administration. We value all our staff members and offer outstanding employee benefits including:

• Excellent health care coverage with no copay at Albany Medical Center providers
• A wide array of services and programs to support emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing

Anchored in the state’s historic capital city, Albany Medical Center offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient care and is home to the region’s largest hospital, only Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma centers, and only children’s hospital. The downtown campus also offers opportunities at Albany Medical College.

Albany Medical Center, along with Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga Hospital, and the Visiting Nurses, form the Albany Med Health System, serving more than three million people over 25 counties.

Learn more about what the Capital Region has to offer here!

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV to:

Physician Recruitment

Albany Medical College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences, including women, persons with disabilities, protected veterans, and underrepresented minorities.