Physician Assistant Surgical First Assistant - Cardiovascular OR (CVOR)

Vanderbilt Health; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt Health in Nashville is seeking a Physician Assistant First Assistant to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and provide surgical support. The PA assists the surgeon as first and second assistant, contributes to pre-operative H&Ps, and participates in patient education and documentation.

The role requires advanced surgical knowledge, strong clinical judgment, and a commitment to high-quality patient care in a dynamic surgical environment.

Qualifications

• 1 year of Surgical PA experience preferred.
• Experience in ICU/OR settings preferred.
• Strong collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Obtains and documents health history and performs focused physical exams with care.
• Acts as first assistant in the operating room, supporting the surgeon.
• Orders and interprets diagnostic data to inform care plans.
• Ensures accurate documentation and patient/family education.

Skills

Surgical PA Experience

First Assistant Skills

Clinical Collaboration

Education

PA Certification

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health : With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region's largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you'll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

MOR Cardiac Surgery 10

Job Summary:

The Physician Assistant (PA) First Assistant works in collaboration with a multidisciplinary health care team. The surgical (PA) provides healthcare in the surgical setting to include the responsibilities of the first and second assist to the surgeon. Other responsibilities may include pre-operative history and physical, progress notes, and education for the patient/family. The (PA) has didactic education, clinical competency and national certification in identified area of clinical practice, including first assist competency. The (PA) demonstrates medical knowledge, clinical judgment, technical competence, professionalism, interpersonal communication skills, timely and compliant documentation, and is responsible for professional development and competency validation. The (PA) has an advanced knowledge of surgical interventions and the responsibilities of a first assistant in the operating room .

Position Hours:

Full- Time - Shifts are variable Call Required

Requirements:

Physician Assistant (PA) Strongly Preferred 1 Year of Surgical PA Experience Strongly Preferred Open to ICU and OR (hybrid model)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Obtains and documents a health history; performs and documents complete, system-focused, or symptom-specific physical examination, assessment, and plan of care.
• In collaboration, provides healthcare services for primary, acute, and complex care of patients and manages patient's overall care, identifying expected outcomes for diagnoses specific to the surgical area.
• Performs first assistant role in the surgical environment
• Orders, performs, interprets, and collects data using appropriate assessment techniques, relevant supporting diagnostic information and diagnostic procedures where indicated.
• Forms differential diagnoses and treats acute and chronic conditions.
• May prescribes therapeutic interventions both pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic and surgical, needed to achieve expected outcomes.
• Utilizes evidence-based, approved practice protocols in planning and implementing care.
• Initiates appropriate referrals and consultations
• Provides specialty specific consultation services upon request and within specialty scope of practice.
• Facilitates the patient's transition between operative area and appropriate unit or recovery areas.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

• Professionalism (Advanced): Demonstrates behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and a responsible attitude toward their patients, their profession and society. Participates in medical center committees, professional organizations and activities that influence advanced practice.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills (Advanced): Demonstrates interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of health care teams. Communicates practice knowledge effectively both orally and in writing.
• Practice-Based Scholarly Inquiry and Integration (Advanced): Demonstrates the use of scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate and improve patient care practices. Anticipates variations in practice and is proactive in implementing interventions to improve quality. Uses best available evidence to continuously improve quality of clinical practice. Generates knowledge from clinical practice to improve practice and patient outcomes. Reviews data and evidences to improve advanced practice. Integrates knowledge from the humanities and sciences within the context of nursing science.
• Patient and Family Centered Care (Advanced): Demonstrates care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease and care at the end of life. Within scope of licensure and certification, manages previously diagnosed and undiagnosed patients. Uses health assessment skills to differentiate between normal, variations of normal, and abnormal findings. Employs screening and diagnostic strategies in the development of diagnoses. Prescribes medications within scope of practice. Manages health/illness status of patients and families over time and across the continuum. Provides patient-centered care recognizing the patient or designee as a full p