Cardiovascular Surgery Physician Assistant

Ascension; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CME allowance

Tail coverage

Job summary

Ascension is seeking a Physician Assistant to join the cardiovascular surgical team in Indianapolis/Carmel for night shifts. You will lead post-operative management of cardiac and thoracic patients, delivering high-acuity care in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment within an acute care hospital setting.

The role requires a Master's degree in Physician Assistant studies, BLS within 30 days of hire, and board certification or eligibility in advanced practice.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program; Master's degree preferred.
• Board Certified or Board Eligible in Advanced Practice Provider.
• 1 year of experience preferred; acute care ICU experience in Cardiac/Thoracic highly preferred.
• BLS certification required within 30 days of hire; ACLS recommended.

Responsibilities

• Lead immediate post-operative management of cardiac and thoracic surgery patients.
• Deliver high-acuity medical treatments and bedside care in a collaborative team model.
• Ensure seamless continuity between surgical intervention and inpatient recovery; support transition to ICU/step-down units.

Skills

Acute care experience

Cardiac/Thoracic ICU

Collaborative team

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Your future role at a glance

Location: Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana

Facility: Ascension Indianapolis and Ascension Heart Center

Schedule: Full-time, Night-shift

How you’ll make an impact in this role

• Join an established team of 12 APPs
• Call structure: None
• Schedule: Nights - 3 on and 6 off - (3) 12-hour shifts - 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. followed by (6) shifts off. Rotated among a team of 6 APP's covering 2 locations with 1 APP assigned to each location for every 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. shift.
• Practice setting: inpatient supporting Carmel and Indianapolis
• Employed position within a nonprofit health system
• Board Certified or Board Eligible in Advanced Practice Provider
• Eligible for state medical licensure and DEA registration
• Lead the immediate post-operative management of cardiac and thoracic surgery patients, providing critical interventions that ensure a safe and stable recovery during the transition to the ICU and step-down units.
• Deliver high-acuity medical treatments and bedside care within a collaborative team model, ensuring seamless continuity between surgical intervention and inpatient recovery.
• CME allowance + dedicated CME days
• Malpractice coverage with tail

About The Facility

• 80-bed specialized, licensed hospital dedicated exclusively to cardiovascular care.
• Ranked as one of the highest-performing heart hospitals in the country, specializing in complex interventions and advanced cardiac surgery.
• Features a boutique, high-acuity environment designed for streamlined surgical throughput and specialized postoperative recovery.

Why Advanced Practice Providers Choose Ascension

• Physician-led, collaborative culture
• Long-term practice stability
• National network with local autonomy
• Mission-centered care rooted in service

What Minimum Requirements You’ll Need

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
• One or more of the following required:
  • Physician Assistant credentialed from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
  • Physician Assistant credentialed from the Indiana Physician Assistant Committee obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
• Advanced Life Support preferred. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.

Education

• Graduate of accredited Physician Assistant program. Master's degree preferred.

Work Experience

• 1 year of experience preferred.
• Acute Care Experience: Proven proficiency in managing high-acuity surgical or ICU patients (specifically Cardiac/Thoracic experience is highly preferred).

Benefits that help you thrive

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
• Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
• Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
• Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

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