Cardiothoracic Physician Assistant

Job Profile Summary

The Physician Assistant, Cardiothoracic Surgery provides advanced clinical support for the Cardiothoracic Surgery service, delivering patient care across the perioperative continuum under the supervision of an assigned physician. The Physician Assistant (PA) serves as a key member of the multidisciplinary team, performing a broad range of clinical duties in the operating room, ICU/Telemetry, clinic, and emergency settings. The PA collaborates with surgeons, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Qualifications

General Clinical Duties:

• Assesses, diagnoses, plans, and implements medical care of patients in collaboration with a physician.
• Functions within the full scope of licensure; accountable for assessment, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of care, including direct patient care, patient/family education, and transitions of care.
• Provides medical consultation, performs therapeutic procedures delegated by the supervising physician, assists with various procedures, provides patient education, treatment, and follow-up, and may complete daily rounds as needed using an organized multidisciplinary team approach.
• Follows ambulatory care and inpatient standardized procedures, protocols, policies, and procedures regulated by the State of California Physician Assistant Practice Act.

Operating Room (OR)

• Serves as First and Second Assist in all cardiac cases, including sternal closure procedures.
• Performs Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH) and Endo-Radial Harvesting.
• Assists in robotic thoracic procedures as First Assist.

ICU/Telemetry

• Manages post-operative and critically ill patients, including developing treatment plans and performing procedures:
  • Chest tube removals/placements
  • Central and arterial line placements
  • PA catheter management
  • Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) removal
  • Pacing wire removal
• Documents daily notes, consults, and histories & physicals (H&Ps).
• Writes discharge orders and summaries.
• Orders medications and diagnostics.
• Provides patient education.

Clinic Responsibilities

• Conducts pre-operative visits, including H&P exams.
• Performs post-operative visits and wound checks.
• Manages medication refills and ongoing medication management.
• Performs procedures such as PleurX removals, wound, suture, and staple care.

Emergency Room (ER)

• Provides consults and assists with admissions

On-Call Responsibilities

• Alternates on-call duties every seven days, including weekend patient rounds.
• Provides 24/7 emergency coverage as part of a rotating schedule.

General Duties

• Handles phone calls for surgeons during daytime hours.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care.
• Adheres to hospital, departmental, and regulatory policies and procedures.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and performance improvement activities.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR).

Qualifications

License/Certification/Registration Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or above from an accredited college or university.
• Graduate from a Physician Assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.
• Preferred experience: 2 years recent relevant experience, with 1 year cardiac surgical experience and 1 year vein harvesting experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication, critical thinking, and organizational skills with ability to work effectively across the organization, especially in situations requiring instructing, persuading, negotiating, consulting, and advising.
• Ability to work effectively in high-acuity, fast-paced environments, including the ability to maintain composure during challenging interpersonal interactions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of patient care guidelines/policy as evidenced by quality of documentation.
• Medical knowledge and skills applicable to perform within the scope of practice.
• Thorough knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.
• Experience with electronic health records (e.g., EPIC) preferred.
• Technical and analytical skills for analysis and interpretation of test procedures and results in order to determine appropriate corrective actions.

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