Physician Assistant - Thoracic Surgery, APP Robotic

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Health is seeking a Physician Assistant to join the Cardiothoracic Surgery team as a primary robotic first assistant on general thoracic cases, including lung resections and foregut procedures.

The role includes managing robotic APP coverage, clinical instruction, and research. One day per week, APP coverage in the multidisciplinary benign esophageal outpatient clinic will be required.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred.
• BLS certification required.
• Must be licensed in NC and certified as a Physician Assistant by NCCPA.

Responsibilities

• Surgical First Assisting / Robotic First Assisting in general thoracic surgery cases.
• Coordinate robotic surgery schedule for first assist coverage.
• Document diagnostic and therapeutic data in EMR for quality patient care.
• Take patient histories and conduct physical exams; prepare workups and summaries.
• Order and schedule labs and diagnostics; explain procedures to patients.
• Triage outpatient calls and coordinate care; communicate with families.
• Provide timely documentation of data and results in EMR.
• Review outside records and participate in research and teaching activities.

Skills

Minimally invasive surgery

Robotic PA experience

Thoracic surgery experience

General surgery experience

Education

Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred

BLS certification

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Jul 12, 2026

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Duke Health Integrated Practice

Duke Health Integrated Practice comprises more than 110 primary and specialty outpatient clinics, extending the reach of the Duke Health mission across the state of North Carolina.

Job Location

(Duke Medical Pavillion, Duke North OR, and South Clinic Durham, NC)

Job Summary

We are seeking a Physician Assistant to join Duke’s Cardiothoracic Surgery team as part of a premier robotic thoracic surgery group. The role would serve as a primary robotic first assistant on general thoracic surgery cases; including anterior mediastinum, foregut, and lung resections. The role will also include responsibilities such as managing robotic APP coverage, clinical instruction, and research. One day per week will include providing APP coverage in the multidisciplinary benign esophageal outpatient clinic.

Desired Experience

• Minimally invasive surgery experience
• Robotic PA experience
• Prefer thoracic surgery experience
• General surgery experience

Job Hours

Monday-Friday, day shift, with flexibility to meet clinic and OR coverage needs. There are no on-call requirements for this role.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Surgical First Assisting / Robotic First Assisting and general thoracic surgery cases
• Coordination of the robotic surgery schedule for first assist (bedside) first assisting coverage.
• Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to assist physician in diagnosing medical and surgical problems and prescribing necessary treatment and services for quality patient care; record the normal and abnormal data for review by the physician.
• Take patient histories, conduct physical examinations, and record in the patient’s record; write progress notes; prepare patient workups and summaries noting pertinent positive and negative findings; obtain psychosocial history relevant to patient care, and assume responsibility for developing therapeutic relationships with patients.
• Order and schedule laboratory studies and diagnostic procedures; explain necessity, preparation, nature and anticipated effects of scheduled diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to the patient.
• Triage outpatient phone calls and coordinate all necessary efforts in support of direct patient care. Communicate with family members regarding patient care and concerns; provide patient care support and follow up to ensure patient care is coordinated/communicated effectively; provide clinical instruction and oversight to nursing staff. Ensure appropriate communication with all referring physicians. Work with the hospital nursing team, residents, fellows, inpatient APPs, etc., upon transition of care to outpatient coverage.
• Initiate referrals to other healthcare providers, and/or consults with the attending physician(s) or the collaborating physician.
• Provide timely documentation in the electronic medical record of all relevant data including results of diagnostic tests; laboratory results; patients’ condition and response to therapies/interventions; communications with physician colleagues and other healthcare providers.
• Review outside records including clinic notes, hospital records, imaging, lab, and other test results
• Analyze clinical practice patterns to provide the best medical care and to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
• Participate in basic science and clinical research projects conducted by supervising physician. Participate in teaching students and residents when requested in clinic.
• Attend the monthly multidisciplinary conference and participate in patient follow-up from that.
• Regularly monitor and respond to patient and provider mychart messages, including cross coverage when necessary of the Esophageal Center at Duke Pool
• Attendance at Surgery Grand Rounds and participation in other divisional educational events is encouraged.

Minimum Job Eligibility Requirements

Education

• Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program. A Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred.

Certification

• BLS required.

License

• Must be licensed in the state of NC, and be certified as a Physician Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market

Durham

Nearest Secondary Market

Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.