Career Center

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At Cedars-Sinai, the work you do every day directly affects others' lives. Our passionate and dedicated culture has earned us six Magnet designations for nursing excellence. Join us and experience why U.S. News & World Report recognizes us as one of America's Best Hospitals!

The Smidt Heart Institute is home to a distinguished team of experts who are setting the bar for cardiovascular care in the United States. The Institute unites 16 centers and programs to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of heart and vascular conditions for all patients, from infants to those with advanced disease. Compassionate care is integrated with an agile research enterprise, giving patients access to pioneering treatments. Our faculty and attending physicians provide deep competency across all specialties, including transplantation, stem cell therapy, congenital heart disease, women's heart health, valve disorders, arrhythmia, and hypertension.

The Senior Physician Assistant (PA-C) provides services to cardiac surgical patients. The PA-C assists the supervising surgeon in the operating room, acts as the first or second assistant, endoscopically harvests veins or arteries for CABG procedures, robotic procedures, transplant surgeries, opens and closes the chest, cannulates or decannulates, Assists or performs bedside procedures within the scope of service, etc.

The Senior PA will work primarily in the operating room. The senior PA will work at Cedars-Sinai and Tarzana Medical Center, a Cedars-Sinai affiliate. 

• Ensures all cases are added to the team census.
• Discuss preoperative plans with Cardiac surgery Fellow and Surgical Attending.
• Review of peri-operative lab results and imaging.
• Addresses pre-operative issues if called, regarding updated H and Ps. medication question.
• Assists the nursing team with preparing room and patient for surgery.
• Assist with patient positioning, pulling up patient data and scans in OR, Ultrasound prep for vein/artery conduit, assist with scrub and draping of patient. At the end of case if first or second assist, help with dressings over incisions and tearing down drapes. Assist with positioning patient on ICU bed
• Functions as an assistant to the surgeon in the operating room during surgical procedures.
• Surgical first assist including sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation and decannulation, assist with sternal wire closure, chest closure.
• Surgical second assist when asked (heart hold only when no other RN has been identified)
• Performs Endoscopic Vein Harvesting and/or Radial Artery Harvesting in the operating room - If not a privilege, work on Preceptor/Proctor Plan to complete.
• Manages chest opening and closure, including multiple-layer surgical wound closures under the direction of the surgeon.
• First assist Robotic cases with a surgeon if there are no other CABGs planned that day. This includes before docking cannulation, closure, dressing incision and moving patient to bed.
• Respond to ECMO and assist with  ECPR.
• Once completion of OR tasks, meet AHP Step down team and assist with chest tube, lines and wire removals for patients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Major functions include collaborating with interdisciplinary team members, leading the rotational mentoring program, participating in clinical trials, showing initiative in developing and implementing positive improvements for the allied health team
• Take a leadership role in research, teaching and publishing.

Experience Requirements:

• Experience in endoscopic vein and/or artery harvest required. Radial Harvesting preferred.
• Three (3)+ years of experience as a physician assistant (inpatient preferred).
•  Five (5)+ years of experience with cardiac transplant medicine preferred.

 Educational/ Licensure/Certifications Requirements:

• Bachelor?s Degree
• Graduate from a PA program approved by Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation required
• Valid California PA license required
• PA certification issued by NCCPA required
• DEA License (2-5) required
• Current ACLS certification required