About the role
We are seeking an experienced Cardiothoracic Physician Assistant (CTPA) to provide surgical and perioperative support within the Operating Room at the San Francisco VA Health Care System. This role requires a highly skilled PA with advanced cardiothoracic experience, capable of supporting complex surgical procedures and delivering high-quality care to veteran patients.
Schedule
* 2 days per week * 6 hours per day * No on-call or off-hours coverage required * Standard VA business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Key Responsibilities
SURGICAL & CLINICAL DUTIES
* Serve as first and second assistant in cardiothoracic surgeries * Perform endoscopic vein harvesting (radial and saphenous) * Assist with robotic surgical procedures at bedside * Conduct procedures including: * Central line placement (ultrasound-guided) * Chest tube and pigtail insertion/removal * Swan-Ganz catheter insertion/removal * Removal of pacing wires * Cardioversion
PATIENT CARE
* Provide perioperative and intraoperative support * Maintain high standards of patient safety and clinical care * Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and OR staff
Required Qualifications
* Licensure: * Current, full, and unrestricted Physician Assistant license (U.S. state or territory) * Certification: * NCCPA certification required * Active National Provider Identifier (NPI) * Experience: * Minimum 100+ documented endoscopic vein harvesting procedures (both radial and saphenous) * Demonstrated experience in cardiothoracic surgery * Certifications: * Basic Life Support (BLS) * Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Credentialing & Compliance
* Must be credentialed and privileged through the VA Medical Staff Office * Subject to approval by Medical Executive Committee and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery * Ongoing clinical competency evaluations required
Training Requirements
* Annual VA-required training, including: * HIPAA & Privacy * Information Security Awareness * Workplace Harassment Prevention * Additional clinical and VA-mandated training as required
Health & Screening Requirements
* TB testing (annual) * Proof of immunizations: MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Influenza * Hepatitis B vaccination and titer * Bloodborne pathogen training compliance
Additional Requirements
* Strong English communication skills (verbal and written) * Compliance with all VA policies, HIPAA, and ethical standards * Must not appear on the HHS OIG exclusion list * Ability to pass background checks and credentialing
Why Join This Opportunity
This is a unique opportunity to work in a high-impact surgical environment supporting U.S. veterans, alongside a leading cardiothoracic surgery team within the VA healthcare system