Physician Assistant - Hybrid CT/Cardiovascular Surgery - Casual

Highmark Health; Federal Hill (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Highmark Health in Pittsburgh, PA is seeking a Physician Assistant to support Cardio Thoracic Surgery teams in inpatient and outpatient settings. The role encompasses pre-operative assessment, perioperative care, critical care recovery, and post-discharge follow-up for cardiac and thoracic patients under physician supervision.

The PA will ensure accurate documentation, participate in emergency management, perform select procedures under privileging, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies; PA-C certification or board eligibility.
• Substitution: 4–10 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred 1 year of Physician Assistant experience in cardio-thoracic surgery or a procedure-based setting.
• ACLS Certification, CPR (American Heart Association), NCCPA recertification, DEA licensure and required background checks (Act 33, Act 34, FBI fingerprinting).

Responsibilities

• Facilitates diagnostic and emergency care for Cardio Thoracic Surgery patients in outpatient and inpatient settings.
• Orders and interprets labs, imaging, and specialized studies; initiate emergency measures and communicate changes to attending physician.
• Prepare and electronically prescribe medications; perform minor bedside procedures and specialized Cardio Thoracic care.
• Coordinate complex care with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team; initiate timely consultations.
• Provide specialized care in critical care and inpatient settings; ensure accurate medical records and care plans.
• Educate patients and families on health, medications, and discharge instructions; ensure continuity of care with seamless communication.
• Conduct hospital rounds and triage calls related to cardio-thoracic concerns; participate in quality initiatives and privileging.
• Assist in Cardio Thoracic surgeries, interventional cardiology (if privileged), or fluoroscopic procedures; educate trainees and staff.

Skills

ACLS Certification

CPR - American Heart Association

NCCPA Recertification

DEA Licensure

Act 33 Clearance

Act 34 Clearance

FBI Fingerprinting

Criminal Background Clearance

Education

Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies

PA-C license or board eligible

Job description

GENERAL OVERVIEW

This role is an integral part of the care delivery system, prioritizing customer care to foster a healing environment. The incumbent provides specialty and critical care healthcare services within their Physician Assistant's scope of practice, specifically focusing on the management of Cardio Thoracic Surgery patients under the direct supervision of a physician. This includes managing medical and/or procedural problems for specific populations, addressing acute and chronic health conditions across various settings such as physician offices, non-acute facilities, and inpatient environments. Key responsibilities involve comprehensive pre-operative assessment and optimization of cardiac and thoracic surgical patients, diligent post-operative management including critical care recovery, and ongoing care for patients with acute and chronic cardiac and thoracic conditions. The position adheres to applicable scope and standards of practice, as well as the organization's policies, values, and mission. Responsibilities may include specialty certification and advanced procedures with appropriate privileging. Depending on the specific role and setting, this position may require rotational coverage, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call duties, sometimes within a 24/7 coverage model.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Facilitates effective diagnostic and emergency care for Cardio Thoracic Surgery patients in both outpatient and acute inpatient settings. Proactively orders and interprets a comprehensive array of laboratory, advanced radiological (including cardiac-specific imaging), and specialized diagnostic studies to inform cardio thoracic patient management. Independently institutes immediate emergency measures and stabilization techniques for acute patient situations, and ensures rapid communication with the attending physician or covering provider regarding any significant patient status changes or critical findings.
• (20%) Encompasses preparing and electronically prescribing a full range of medications, safely administering medications and injections; performing minor bedside surgical procedures relevant to cardio thoracic care (e.g., chest tube management, wound care); and executing complex specialty-specific procedures within specific environments. (10%)
• (10%) Actively coordinates complex care needs with patients, families, external community services, and the entire interdisciplinary team, initiating timely consultations with the attending physician for cases exceeding PA-C scope or requiring higher-level medical decision-making. (10%)
• (10%) Provides specialized care for Cardio Thoracic Surgery patients in critical care and inpatient settings, ensuring all medical record documentation is accurate, complete, and timely to reflect the complexity of care provided in all environments. (10%)
• (10%) Educates Cardio Thoracic Surgery patients and their families on health and illness prevention, medication, and treatment instructions, and recommend community resources as needed. Ensures seamless continuity of care and maintains highly effective communication across the entire care continuum, from outpatient visits to inpatient admissions and post-discharge follow-up. This can include conducting daily inpatient hospital rounds, meticulously documenting patient progress and care plans in both settings, and triaging patient calls and inquiries from the clinic related to cardio thoracic concerns. (10%)
• (10%) Institutes emergency measures, stabilize acute patient situations (e.g., cardiac arrest, respiratory distress post-surgery), perform hospital rounds on cardio thoracic patients, and communicate significant patient changes to the attending physician promptly. (10%)
• (10%) Engages in mandatory professional continuing education, participate in quality improvement initiatives, and ensure ongoing compliance with medical staff and organizational standards. (10%)
• (10%) Performs specialized procedures such as assisting in surgical procedures (specifically Cardio Thoracic surgeries), interventional cardiology (if applicable and privileged), or fluoroscopic procedures under supervision, and contributes to the education of trainees and professional staff within the Cardio Thoracic specialty. (10%)
• (10%) Performs all other duties as assigned or required, including specialty-specific procedures and expectations as stated with privileging and job agreement. (10%)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies Current PA Physician Assistant License PA-C or board eligible.
• Substitutions Four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred 1 year of physician Assistant experience in specialty or procedure-based setting.
• Additional Employment Requirements: Ongoing successful recertification (NCCPA) as a PA-C within 90 days of hire Drug Enforcement Agency Licensure within 60 days of hire ACLS Certification CPR - American Heart Association Act 33 Child Abuse Clearance Certificate Act 34 Criminal Background Clearance Certificate Act 73 FBI Fingerprinting Criminal Background Clearance Certificate

Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., Highmark Health’s 35,000 employees serve millions of customers nationwide through the nonprofit organization’s affiliated businesses, which include Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network, HM Insurance Group, United Concordia Dental, HM Health Solutions and HM Home & Community Services.

Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.

Compliance Requirement: This job adheres to the ethical and legal standards and behavioral expectations as set forth in the code of business conduct and company policies. As a component of job responsibilities, employees may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information that must be protected at all times. In connection with this, all employees must comply with both the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policies and Procedures as well as all data security guidelines established in the Company’s Handbook of Privacy Policies and Practices and Information Security Policy.

Furthermore, it is every employee’s responsibility to comply with the company’s Code of Business Conduct. This includes but is not limited to adherence to applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as company policies and training requirements.

Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

California Consumer Privacy Act Employees, Contractors, and Applicants Notice Highmark Health is a national, blended health organization that includes one of America’s largest Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers and a growing regional hospital and physician network.

Highmark Health’s businesses proudly serve a broad spectrum of health-related needs including health insurance, health care delivery, population health management, dental solutions, reinsurance solutions, and innovative, technology solutions.