Physician Assistant - Cardiac Surgery

Summary

Under the general supervision of a physician, the Cardiac Surgery Physician Assistant delivers comprehensive, patient-centered care across the continuum of cardiac surgical services. This role provides inpatient and outpatient clinical management, first-assist support in the operating room, perioperative and critical care management, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes. The PA plays a key role in maintaining quality standards, supporting Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and New York State cardiac surgery registry requirements, and ensuring exceptional patient care throughout the surgical journey.

STATUS: Full-Time

LOCATION: Rochester General Hospital

DEPARTMENT: Cardiac Surgery

SCHEDULE: Rotating 10-hour Day Shifts; Weeknight & Weekend Call; Holiday Rotation

ATTRIBUTES

• Compassionate, patient-centered approach with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

• Strong critical thinking, clinical judgment, and decision-making abilities

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment

• Strong documentation and organizational skills

• Commitment to quality improvement and evidence-based practice

• Willingness to develop advanced cardiac surgery skills, including first assist and endoscopic conduit harvesting

• Supportive learning environment with advanced procedural and critical care training opportunities

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operative First Assist. Serve as first assist for open and minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedures. Maintain and advance surgical skills, including endoscopic saphenous vein and radial artery harvesting. Participate in 24/7 operating room coverage through a shared call schedule while developing the skills necessary for independent operative support.

• Critical Care Management. Collaborate with cardiac surgeons and intensivists to provide comprehensive care for critically ill cardiac surgery patients. Participate in ICU rounds, develop postoperative management plans, facilitate transitions of care from the ICU to step-down units, and ensure high-quality provider handoffs.

• Perioperative Patient Care. Perform inpatient consultations, comprehensive history and physical examinations, STS risk assessments, admissions, daily rounding, discharge planning, and postoperative management for cardiac surgery patients. Serve as first-call provider for non-critical cardiac surgery patients and coordinate care with the multidisciplinary team.

• Outpatient Management. Evaluate patients during pre-admission testing, conduct postoperative follow-up visits, manage patient communications through phone and electronic medical record messaging, evaluate surgical wounds, coordinate ongoing wound care, and facilitate transitions to cardiology and primary care providers.

• Quality & Clinical Documentation. Support Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and New York State cardiac surgery quality initiatives through accurate, complete clinical documentation and participation in quality improvement efforts, including morbidity and mortality conferences, registry compliance, patient safety initiatives, and collaboration with Clinical Documentation Integrity teams.

• Patient Satisfaction. Build trusting relationships with patients and families through compassionate communication, education, counseling, and shared decision-making. Deliver exceptional patient experiences throughout the preoperative, operative, and postoperative continuum of care.

• Medication & Clinical Management. Prescribe medications, order diagnostic testing, perform procedures within scope of practice, and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition while collaborating closely with cardiac surgeons and the multidisciplinary care team.

• Documentation. Complete accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of patient encounters, procedures, assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and quality metrics in accordance with organizational, regulatory, and STS documentation standards.

• Call Coverage. Participate in a shared call schedule that includes approximately one weeknight of call per week, one weekend every five weeks, and a minimum of one observed hospital holiday annually to ensure continuous support of the cardiac surgery service.

EDUCATION:

BS: Physician Assistant

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS: 

RPA - Registered Physician Assistant - NYS Office of Professions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Moderate - Clinical - Moderate clinical roles are patient facing roles that require continual movement, including standing, walking, and lifting 20–50 lbs., along with pushing and pulling medical equipment and assisting with patient positioning. Employees perform frequent bending, twisting, and reaching while completing fine motor tasks in busy or confined clinical environments. High sensory acuity is essential for monitoring patient status and responding to alarms or safety concerns. Emotional and cognitive demands are substantial, involving decision-making under pressure, responding to emergencies, and maintaining sustained focus. Environmental exposures include infectious agents, bodily fluids, chemicals, and radiation. TB testing, mask-fit testing, and physical exams are common requirements.

For disease specific care programs refer to the program specific requirements of the department for further specifications on experience and educational expectations, including continuing education requirements.

Any physical requirements reported by a prospective employee and/or employee’s physician or delegate will be considered for accommodations.

PAY RANGE:

$125,000.00 - $200,000.00Rochester14621

The listed base pay range is a good faith representation of current potential base pay for a successful full time applicant. It may be modified in the future and eligible for additional pay components. Pay is determined by factors including experience, relevant qualifications, specialty, internal equity, location, and contracts.

Rochester Regional Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.