Physician Assistant - Cardiac Surgery (Bethlehem/Anderson)

sluhn; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke's Hospital is seeking an Advanced Practitioner (NP or PA) for the Cardiovascular Surgery team. This role provides medical services under supervision, including evaluation, treatment and patient education, with emphasis on postoperative care and surgical assistance.

Approximately 80% of duties involve OR coverage, inpatient consults and post-operative management, with 20% for outpatient follow-up and consultations. Strong autonomy, virtual care, and teaching are valued in this position.

Qualifications

• Provides healthcare services under supervision or in collaboration with attending physician.
• Performs medical evaluations, treatment, counseling, and referrals.
• Participates in patient satisfaction, quality and performance improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Assess and treat patients, including taking histories and conducting physical examinations.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests and develop treatment plans.
• Collaborate with other health professionals to coordinate patient care and ensure optimal outcomes.
• Conduct intra-operative assistance as requested, including first/second assist and wound management.
• Deliver virtual care via St. Luke's platform for appropriate cases.
• Engage in continuing medical education and teaching of students and residents.

Job description

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Advanced Practitioner (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) is responsible for providing healthcare services to patients under the supervision of, and/or in collaboration with, the attending physician. These services include, but not limited to, medical evaluation, treatment, counseling, and referrals. Consists of diagnostic evaluations, therapeutic remediation, surgical assistance, and pharmaceutical prescription. As with any other health care professional, the Advanced Practitioner is charged with being a patient advocate. The Advanced Practitioner will participate in patient satisfaction, quality, and performance improvement initiatives.

CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY:

• Approximately 80% of the role is dedicated to OR coverage, inpatient consults, and post-operative patient management, with the remaining 20% focused on outpatient consults and post-operative follow-up care.
• Enjoy a high level of autonomy in postoperative management, inpatient care, and first-assist responsibilities, including EVH and endoscopic radial artery harvesting.
• Benefit from 24/7 dedicated critical care APP support and a well-established, team-oriented culture.
• Open to new graduates, with preference for candidates who are hardworking, reliable, and committed to long-term professional growth in cardiac surgery.

SCHEDULE:

• Shared call rotation averaging: 1 weekday call per week 1 weekend every 7 weeks
• Weekend call includes rounds and OR coverage
• Rotating holiday schedule

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Competent in the assessment, treatment, counseling, and education of the patient, and their families, being provided medical services.
• Competency in evaluating patients and performing physical examinations including obtaining, studying, and updating medical histories.
• Demonstrates ability to determine abnormal conditions by administering or ordering diagnostic tests, such as radiologic and laboratory studies, and then accurately interpreting test results.
• Evaluates, develops, and implements appropriate patient management and treatment plans, based on assessment of needs.
• Coordinates and communicates patient care effectively with other healthcare professionals and institutions to meet patient's healthcare needs.
• Provides high quality health care, based on best practice and/or evidenced based medicine.
• Performs therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, as appropriate, and aligned with granted clinical privileges.
• As requested, conduct virtual care services, described as live and interactive clinical assessments, diagnosis, and treatment of patients via St. Luke's virtual care platform, assisting in care coordination and/or escalation of care, as appropriate.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies. Maintains required continuing medical education.
• Participates in the research, development, implementation, and tracking of clinical management guidelines.
• Participates in the teaching of multidisciplinary students (nursing, nurse practitioner, pharmacy, physician assistant, medical, etc.) and physician residents & fellows, ensuring a positive educational environment.
• Participates in AP student clinical rotation preceptorship, when assigned.
• Demonstrates performance improvement in the following areas as appropriate: clinical care/outcomes, customer/service improvement, operational system/process, and safety.
• Competent in utilizing electronic medical record, remains current with medical record documentation, and provides documentation that is for optimal for billing provided professional services.
• Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.
• Peri- operative (pre- & post-) assessment and management of assigned surgical patients. Ensures appropriate orders have been placed and completed.
• Assists surgeon in the intra-operative care of the surgical patient during scheduled and emergency procedures, as assigned. Examples include, but not limited to: First/second surgical assist, drain placement, wound closure and techniques for application of sterile dressings.
• Daily evaluations and rounding of post-operative patients, determining and ordering appropriate studies and