Cardiac Surgery First Assist- Washington D.C.

MedStar Health; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 115,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health in Washington, DC seeks a Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to serve as a first or second assistant in cardiac surgery. The role focuses on the cardiac surgery OR, collaborating closely with surgeons and experienced APPs to advance skills in exposure, harvesting, and perioperative care.

Responsibilities include reviewing histories and imaging, participating in orientation, and assisting in CABG, valve repairs, aortic procedures, and other complex cardiac

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant (PA) or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program.
• RNFA (RN First Assist) required for Nurse Practitioners.

Responsibilities

• Assist in cardiac surgery operating room as first or second assistant.
• Develop skills in conduit harvesting, exposure, and perioperative care.
• Collaborate with cardiac surgeons, APPs, anesthesia, perfusion, and nursing teams.

Skills

Cardiac surgery support

Operating room experience

Team collaboration

Education

PA or ACNP program

RNFA (for NP)

Job description

About the Job

The incumbent of this role works as a first or second assistant during open-heart and other vascular and thoracic surgical procedures under the direction of the attending physician. The primary focus of this position is the cardiac surgery operating room. The PA/APP will work closely with cardiac surgeons and experienced APPs while developing skills in first assisting, conduit harvesting, surgical exposure, and perioperative care.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews relevant patient history, diagnostic studies, and imaging in preparation for surgery.
• Participates in a structured orientation and competency-development program.
• Assists in the cardiac surgery operating room. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Assisting cardiac surgeons during open and/or minimally invasive cardiac surgical procedures.
  • Serving as a first or second assistant based on experience and demonstrated competency.
  • Participating in procedures including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair/replacement, aortic surgery, mechanical circulatory support, and other cardiac surgical procedures.
  • Developing skills in endoscopic and open saphenous vein harvesting and radial artery harvesting.
  • Working collaboratively with surgeons, APPs, anesthesia, perfusion, nursing, and other members of the cardiac surgery team.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant (PA) or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program.
• RN First Assistant (RNFA) program required for Nurse Practitioners.

Experience

• Previous operating room, cardiac surgery, cardiovascular, or related clinical experience preferred but not required.

Licenses and Certifications

• Physician Assistant: Current or eligible for Physician Assistant licensure in the District of Columbia.
• Nurse Practitioner: Current or eligible for Nurse Practitioner licensure in the District of Columbia and completion of an RN First Assistant program.

Compensation

Total compensation for this position is a combination of base salary, a first-assist adjuster, and an off-shift adjuster.

This position has a hiring range of

USD $115,000.00 - USD $190,000.00 /Yr.