Chief Physician Assistant- Cardiac Surgery, Operating Room

Tufts Medicine•Boston, MA

5d•$149,760 - $224,640•Onsite

About The Position

Tufts Medical Center is conducting a national search for an experienced and highly motivated cardiac surgery Physician Assistant to serve as Chief Physician Assistant – Cardiac Surgery, leading our operating room PA team and serving as Director of PA Education. We are seeking an accomplished PA with at least five years of cardiac surgery experience who is ready to take the next step into a highly visible clinical leadership and education role. This position combines advanced surgical practice with meaningful responsibility for team leadership, clinical education, operational excellence, and professional development within our high-acuity academic cardiac surgery program. Working alongside nationally recognized cardiac surgeons, you will help deliver some of the most complex cardiac surgical care in New England while building a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Successful completion of a Physician’s Assistant program.
Physician’s Assistant Certification within one (1) year of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
Five (5) year of Physician’s Assistant experience.
State and federal controlled substances registration.
At least five years of cardiac surgery experience.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Two (2) years of Physician’s Assistant experience.
Bilingual.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the Cardiac Surgery OR PA team, with responsibility for staff education, mentorship, onboarding, professional development, performance, and building a high-performing clinical team.
Direct PA staffing, scheduling, and operating room clinical operations across the Cardiac Surgery program, optimizing coverage, OR efficiency, workflow, and continuity of care within the surgical environment.
Serve as Director of PA Education, developing and advancing clinical training, technical education, onboarding, mentorship, and ongoing professional development for the Cardiac Surgery OR PA team.
Partner with Cardiac Surgery physician and administrative leadership to build and advance the program, establishing best practices, improving workflows and quality, and helping shape the long-term strategy and growth of the PA team.
Maintain an active clinical presence in the operating room, including serving as a surgical first assist in complex cardiac procedures.
Perform preoperative preparation of adult and pediatric patients and reinforce information presented by the attending physician to the patient and/or family as necessary.
Coordinate necessary tests, consultations, and procedures as indicated or requested by the attending physician.
First or second assist on routine and complex adult and pediatric surgical procedures as necessary.
Position and prep patients, perform operative assistance as requested, transcribe operative notes and postoperative orders in accordance with service protocols, accompany patients to recovery room or intensive care units.
Perform bedside diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures on adult and pediatric patients as indicated or directed by the attending surgeon, including but not limited to thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy, central venous lines, Swan-Ganz catheter insertion, wound debridement, and endotracheal intubation.
Perform basic and advanced cardiac life support procedures as necessary and direct these efforts until the arrival of a senior physician.
Prepare adult and pediatric patients for discharge, including patient and family discharge teaching, continuing care and rehabilitation arrangements, writing discharge prescriptions, and confirming primary care or referring physician follow-up.
Prescribe pre and postoperative medications for adult and pediatric patients in accordance with service policies and/or attending physician’s instructions.
Under the direction of the attending surgeon, execute a wide range of management plans for adult and pediatric patients.
Care for adult and pediatric patients of the surgical services in the emergency department and outpatient clinics.
Dictate formal discharge summaries of adult and pediatric patients for the attending surgeon’s review and signature.
Participate in the education of students and residents assigned to the surgical services.
Maintain collaborative team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working group’s achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.
Orients and trains new physician assistants, coordinates schedules and vacation coverage.
Develops, refines and updates physician assistant job descriptions; develops behavioral objectives and performs initial evaluation of physician assistant students.
Prepares educational lectures on adult and pediatric topics for nursing and other ancillary personnel.
Serves on hospital committees as designated by the Division Chief; reviews and updates division protocols for adult and pediatric patient care for approval by the Division Chief.
Directs and supervises assigned personnel including performance evaluations, scheduling, orientation, and training. Makes recommendations on employee hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, terminations, and similar actions. Addresses grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities. Provides effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the staff for effective teamwork and motivation.
Develops, recommends, and manages budgets for the areas managed. Coordinates the assignment of tasks for the efficient utilization of available resources.
Maintains credentialing and licensure for Physician Assistant staff.
Oversees schedules and approvals for payroll reporting, dues and membership for Physician Assistant staff.
Obtains a detailed medical history and performs a comprehensive physical examination on adult and pediatric patients.