Cardiac Surgery First Assist Nurse Practitioner (NP and RNFA) or Physician Assistant

University of Maryland Medical System; Towson (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid malpractice insurance

Generous paid time off

CME leave and CME allowance

403-B retirement plan with employer 3%

Job summary

University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center (UM SJMC) in Towson, MD, seeks an experienced Cardiac Surgery First Assist PA or RNFA to join the team.

The role requires proficiency in first/second assist in cardiac cases and conduit harvesting, with four 10-hour shifts weekly and on-call coverage. The candidate should hold a Master’s degree in PA/NP with RNFA, Maryland PA/NP licensure, BLS certification, and ideally 3+ years in cardiac surgery.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in PA/NP with RNFA.
• Maryland licensure as PA/NP required.
• BLS certification required.

Responsibilities

• Provide first and second assist in all cardiac surgery cases.
• Proficient in conduit harvesting.
• Share night and weekend on-call duties with a team of six.

Skills

Cardiac surgery first assist

Conduit harvesting

RNFA certification

Maryland PA/NP license

Education

Master’s degree in Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner with RNFA

Tools

BLS certification

Maryland licensure board certification

Job description

Job Requirements

University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center (UM SJMC), a member of the University of Maryland Medical System has an opening available for an experienced Cardiac Surgery First Assist Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (RNFA) to join their team located in Towson, Maryland.

The University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center has a long history of excellence and is one of the premier programs in the region. St. Joseph is the only cardiac surgery program in Baltimore County, and a referral center for complex valvular, aortic, and coronary surgery. 3-Star Rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures.

Qualifications

• Proficient in first and second assist roles in all cardiac surgery cases
• Proficient in conduit harvesting
• Successful applicant would work four ten-hour shifts per week with night and weekend call
• Successful applicant would be one of six sharing call
• Master’s degree as a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner with Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) is required
• Certification as a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner/Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) is required
• Maryland licensure as Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner is required
• Current Basic Life Support certification is required
• Ideal candidate would have three years experience in cardiac surgery, less experience could be considered on a case-by-case basis

As a UMMS Provider, You Can Expect

• Competitive Salary
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid malpractice insurance
• Generous paid time off
• CME leave and CME allowance
• Retirement plan – 403-B with employer match

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Work Experience

Education and Experience

• Graduation from a Physician Assistant Training Program approved by the Board of Physician Quality Assurance is required. Evidence of current certification as a Physician Assistant by the Maryland Board of Physician Quality Assurance.
• Certification or eligibility for certification by National Commission for Certifying Physician’s Assistants is required. Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification is required.
• Unrestricted Physician Assistant License from the Maryland State Board of Physicians

OR;

• Successful completion of a recognized planned program of instruction designed for the Registered Nurse First-Assistant (RNFA) to include:
• Didactic instruction of at least 50 hours which includes:
• Pre-operative and post-operative assessment, evaluation of physical and laboratory findings, patient pain management and patient and staff teaching.
• Intraoperative considerations including anatomy and physiology and surgical interventions as related to each system.
• Surgical techniques.
• Surgical hazards and appropriate interventions.
• Clinical instruction and experience including:
• A minimum of 200 hours assisting in major surgical procedures including positioning, prepping and draping, siding in exposure, retraction, hemostasis, surgical instrumentation, etc…
• Instruction provided by qualified surgeons participating in the program.
• The surgeon preceptor(s) written documentation of the registered nurse’s competency in the intraoperative surgical first assistant role.

Skills

IV. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient populations(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
• Highly effective verbal and written skills are required to work with all levels of hospital personnel, administrators and clinical staff.
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere and maximize efficient system operations.

Benefits

Review the 2026-2027 UMMS Benefits Guide.pdf

All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. We do not accept inquiries or solicitations from 3rd party recruiters/search firms.