Physician Assistant - Surgical, Thoracic Surgery

Albany Medical Center • City of Albany, NY

3d

About The Position

We are 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.

Requirements

• 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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees