Cardiovascular Surgery Physician Assistant

Ascension • Carmel, IN

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Ascension is seeking a Physician Assistant to join an established cardiovascular surgery team serving inpatient patients at Ascension Indianapolis and Ascension Heart Center in Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana. This employed position is part of a nonprofit health system and joins a team of 12 APPs.

The role supports the immediate postoperative management of cardiac and thoracic surgery patients, including critical interventions and bedside care during their transition to the ICU and step-down units. The APP works in a collaborative team model to provide high-acuity treatment and continuity between surgery and inpatient recovery. The practice has no call requirement.

The night schedule consists of three consecutive 12-hour shifts from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., followed by six shifts off. A team of six APPs rotates coverage across two locations, with one APP assigned to each location per night shift. The facility is an 80-bed licensed hospital dedicated to cardiovascular care, with a high-acuity environment focused on complex interventions, advanced cardiac surgery, and specialized postoperative recovery.

The role requires graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant program and the applicable Physician Assistant credentials. BLS must be obtained within 30 days of hire or transfer. One year of experience is preferred, and acute care experience managing high-acuity surgical or ICU patients is sought, with cardiac or thoracic experience highly preferred. A master's degree and Advanced Life Support are preferred. CME allowance and dedicated CME days are provided, along with malpractice coverage with tail.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Physician Assistant credential from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), obtained before hire or job transfer, or credential from the Indiana Physician Assistant Committee, obtained before hire or job transfer.
• BLS Provider certification obtained within 30 days of hire or job transfer; American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
• Eligible for state medical licensure and DEA registration.
• Acute care proficiency managing high-acuity surgical or ICU patients.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience.
• Cardiac or thoracic acute care experience; highly preferred.
• Master's degree.
• Advanced Life Support certification; American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.

Responsibilities

• Lead immediate postoperative management of cardiac and thoracic surgery patients.
• Provide critical interventions to support safe, stable recovery during patients’ transition to ICU and step-down units.
• Deliver high-acuity medical treatments and bedside care in a collaborative team model.
• Ensure continuity between surgical intervention and inpatient recovery.
• Provide inpatient support at the Carmel and Indianapolis locations.

Benefits

• CME allowance and dedicated CME days.
• Malpractice coverage with tail.
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, and HSA/FSA options.
• Employer-matched 403(b), financial planning and hardship resources, disability insurance, and life insurance.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Ascension-paid tuition through Vocare, reimbursement, professional development, and online learning.
• Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care, and stress-management resources.
• Parental leave, adoption assistance, and family benefits.
• Optional legal and pet insurance and transportation savings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level