Physician Assistant - Cardiac Surgery, Full-time, Rotating

Northwestern Medicine; Palos Heights (IL); On-site; USD 137,280 - 179,296; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Professional development

Wellbeing fund

Matching 401(k)

Health, dental and vision coverage

Life insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine invites a Physician Assistant to work in the Cardiac Surgery department, providing day‑to‑day ICU coverage, clinic support, and first assisting in the operating room.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, four 10‑hour shifts rotating days and weeknights, one weekend per month, and two holidays per year. This role is based in Illinois within Northwestern Medicine’s cardiac surgery program.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant educational program.
• Licensed as a Physician Assistant in Illinois.
• BLS and ACLS certifications as required by department.
• Two years of PA experience and prior OR experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day ICU coverage and clinic support.
• First assisting in the operating room for cardiac procedures.
• Collaborate with physicians and health professionals.
• Educate patients, families, and staff; participate in QA and research.

Skills

Clinical experience

Team collaboration

BLS

ACLS

OR experience

Education

Accredited PA program

Job description

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $66.00 - $86.20 per hour. Placement within the range depends on relevant work experience and internal equity. For unionized positions, placement follows the collective bargaining agreement.

Benefits

• $10,000 tuition reimbursement per year ($5,700 for part‑time)
• $10,000 student loan repayment ($5,000 for part‑time)
• $1,000 professional development per year ($500 for part‑time)
• $250 wellbeing fund per year ($125 for part‑time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual employee salary increase and incentive bonus
• Paid time off and holiday pay

Description

Northwestern Medicine invites a Physician Assistant to work in the Cardiac Surgery department, providing day‑to‑day ICU coverage, clinic support, and first assisting in the operating room.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, four 10‑hour shifts rotating days and weeknights, one weekend per month, and two holidays per year.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrates clinical expertise through patient care activities, including diagnosis and management of health problems.
• Responsible for health outcomes of an assigned patient population.
• Collaborates with physicians and other health professionals.
• Develops educational systems for patients, families, and staff.
• Mentors graduate students in advanced practice and patient care.
• Participates in quality improvement and/or research.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive assessments of patients’ health status.
• Provides direct clinical care to patients.
• Prescribes orders medications, therapies; orders and interprets laboratory tests, x‑rays, and procedures as per clinical privileges.
• Evaluates patients to determine need for further health care.
• Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families.
• Documents all care and education in the medical record.
• Refers to other disciplines as appropriate.
• Consults with other disciplines in areas of expertise.
• Integrates research‑based knowledge and clinical expertise into decision making.
• Exemplifies professional image in appearance, manner, and presentation.
• Advocates for patients, families, coworkers, and the community.
• Maintains certifications and continuing education required for licensure and privileging.
• Serves as a patient advocate and role model for "Patients First."
• Participates in unit, departmental, divisional, or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate.
• Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and families.
• Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff.
• Serves as a role model and preceptor to students.
• Provides formal education to internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty.
• Participates in quality improvement or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate.

Qualifications

Required

• Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant educational program.
• Physician Assistant in Medicine, licensed in Illinois.
• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation authorization.
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (American Heart Association) certification.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification as specified by the department.
• Controlled substance license and DEA registration as specified by the department.
• Two years of experience as a PA.
• Prior operating room experience.

Preferred

• Cardiac surgery experience.

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal‑opportunity employer; it does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members. Applicants must complete a disclosure form. Results are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis and follow all applicable laws.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial intelligence tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process; all employment decisions will ultimately be made by a person.

Sign‑On Bonus Eligibility

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within one year are not eligible for the sign‑on bonus. New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position may be eligible depending on the job family.