Cardiac First Assist Physician Assistant -OR

University Hospitals•Cleveland, OH

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Cardiac Physician Assistant II works under the direction and supervision of the attending physician, assisting with exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions to help the surgeon perform safe operations with optimal patient outcomes. The role also performs preoperative and postoperative duties to support surgical patients throughout the perioperative period. The PA II first- and/or second-assists on highly complex cardiac cases, including aortic dissections, redo surgeries, endocarditis cases, LVAD procedures, and transplant surgery. Cardiac First Assistants support cardiac surgery cases throughout the health system, in and out of the operating room, including hospital emergencies and cardiac catheterization lab procedures. The position covers regional call for the Cardiac Surgery program and call for transplant donor and recipient procedures. This requires the ability to travel by car, ambulance, plane, and helicopter. Travel to community hospitals to perform cardiac surgery cases is listed as 30%25. The team works at the health system’s most advanced and complex cardiac surgery center and performs procedures involving coronary, valve, transplant, robotic, and structural heart disease, including hybrid structural and aortic interventions. RNFAs, Physician Assistants, or Surgical Assistants will be considered. Cardiac operating room experience is strongly preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field with an emphasis on clinical practice.
Master’s degree in a healthcare-related field with an emphasis on clinical practice.
At least 2 years of cardiac surgery experience as a Level 1.
Physician Assistant license in the State of Ohio.
Current license to practice in Ohio.
Required proficiency in taking First Call.
Required proficiency in leadership.
Knowledge of advanced life support equipment.
Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, including proper use of instruments and equipment used during cardiothoracic surgery procedures.
Ability to manage patient care from a quality- and cost-effective standpoint.
High degree of hand/eye coordination and sustained mental attention.
Professionalism.
Effective oral and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Cardiac operating room experience is strongly preferred.
Proficiency in open and endoscopic vein harvesting.
Additional professional certifications as preferred by OSMB.

Responsibilities

Provide intraoperative assistance with exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other technical functions.
Perform preoperative and postoperative duties to support surgical patients during the perioperative period.
First- and/or second-assist on highly complex cardiac cases, including aortic dissections, redo surgeries, endocarditis, LVAD, and transplant surgery.
Support cardiac surgery cases across the health system, including cases outside the operating room, hospital emergencies, and cardiac catheterization lab procedures.
Cover regional call for the Cardiac Surgery program and call for transplant donor and recipient procedures.
Demonstrate knowledge of human anatomy and physiology while delivering safe patient care.
Establish and maintain a safe perioperative environment.
Provide education and development opportunities to nursing staff, students, and other appropriate personnel on specific surgeries and patient management.
Use ongoing perioperative data collection and follow-up information to support research care studies that promote effective, high-quality patient care.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with applicable policies and standards.
Safeguard patients’ Protected Health Information and comply with related training, conduct, policies, and procedures.
Travel to community hospitals to perform cardiac surgery cases.