Physician Assistant First Assist- Cardiac Surgery

Your job is more than a job.

Why a Great Place to Work   

At LCMC Health we help you to lean into your calling by leaning in with you, ensuring you have the resources to do your job as only you can.    

And that begins with receiving the support you need to thrive and grow, which looks different for each person. Living out our commitment to inclusion requires providing benefits that are as diverse and unique as our workforce. It’s a responsibility we take seriously.   

Because we don’t just serve the New Orleans community—we’re at the beating heart of it.  Whether by offering community health services or making medical innovations more accessible, LCMC Health is bringing a culture of wellness to the communities that matter to you. 

When you know you’re making an authentic impact, you give a little extra to every day—as a person, with your team, in your community—and that’s one of the reasons why you’ll be a perfect fit at LCMC Health, where giving a little something extra is at the heart of everything we do. 

Under the direction of the surgeon, the Physician Assistant, Surgical First Assistant in Cardiology, participates in and actively assists in the Cardiology Perioperative (Pre-op + Intra-op + Post-op), procedures by safely and expeditiously helping to provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and other technical functions. Applies knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique relative to operative procedures. Assesses patients and family needs and provides appropriate education pre- and post-procedure. Is responsible for sterile technique and maintenance of the sterile field.

Job Description

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this department. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, and LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.

GENERAL DUTIES

General Surgical Assistant Skills:

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate the surgeon’s preferences and specific patient's needs to the surgical team, including specialty supplies, instrumentation, and equipment.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply advanced knowledge of normal and pathological surgical anatomy and physiology.
• Demonstrates aseptic skills.
• Acquires continuing education annually to maintain current competencies and licensure.
• Participates in education of allied health staff and students.
• Participates in quality improvement process.

Preoperative Role:

• Demonstrates the ability to provide Cardiology-specific preoperative skills such as assessing patient information, history, preoperative tests (e.g., EEG, ECG, diagnostic imaging, lab results), safety measures, biopsy results, positioning, and draping.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to correctly and safely position patient.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform safe surgical skin prep.
• Demonstrates the ability to establish and maintain sterile field through appropriate draping, gloving, and placement of lines and devices.

Intraoperative Care:

• Demonstrates ability to provide Cardiology-specific intraoperative technical skills following surgeon preference and accepted practice.
• Able to utilize operating room equipment applicable to the procedure.
• Able to work independently and co-dependently with the surgeon.
• Demonstrates ability to make good decisions using research-based best practice.

Postoperative Care:

• Demonstrates the ability to provide Cardiology-specific postoperative skills in patient care including surgical dressing application, monitoring for immediate complications, patient transport, and transfer of care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary handoff to provide continuity of care postoperatively.

EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• Required: 0-1 year of Physician Assistant Cardiology and Surgical First Assistant perioperative experience.
• New graduates will be considered.

​

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Required: Graduate of an approved Physician Assistant Program.
• Preferred: Graduate of an approved Surgical Assistant Program.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required Certifications:

Physician Assistants

• Issuer: Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
• Licensure Specialty: Licensure

Physician Assistant-Surgical First Assistant

• Issuer: Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

• Issuer: Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam
• Licensure Specialty: NCCPA

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Certification
Basic Life Support (CPR and AED) Certification
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Fluent in the written and verbal skills necessary to perform successfully the essential functions, duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to read, speak, and write English with clarity of expression sufficient to communicate technical and complex concepts to teammates, patients, and patient family members.
• Ability to understand clinical/medical vocabulary written or spoken in English.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to interact by telephone and face-to face with individuals and groups of customers seeking service or assistance.
• Mathematical Skills, Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measures.
• Computer skills. Knowledge of word processing software and ability to use information systems for data input and reports.
• Experience in pediatric-specific surgeries and procedures.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• Does this position formally supervise employees? No

FUNCTIONAL DEMANDS

• Medium: Medium physical requirements- Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sitting - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Standing - Frequent (36-66% of day)
• Walking - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 0-10lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 10-20lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 20-50lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 50-100lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 100+lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 0-10lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 10-20lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 20-50lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 50-100lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 100+lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Carrying objects - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Push/pull - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Twisting - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Bending - Frequent (36-66% of day)
• Reaching forward - Frequent (36-66% of day)
• Reaching overhead - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Wrist position deviation - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Pinching/fine motor activities - Frequent (36-66% of day)
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Talk or hear - Continuous (67-100% of day)

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

• Near Vision - Very Accurate 20/20
• Far Vision - Very Accurate 20/20
• Color Discrimination - Yes
• Depth Perception - Accurate
• Hearing - Accurate

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE RISK POTENTIAL

• Bloodborne pathogens - Reasonably Anticipated
• Chemical - Reasonably Anticipated
• Airborne communicable diseases - Reasonably Anticipated
• Extreme temperatures - Not Anticipated
• Radiation - Reasonably Anticipated
• Uneven surfaces or elevations - Not Anticipated
• Extreme noise levels - Not Anticipated
• Dust/particular matter - Reasonably Anticipated
• Other (List) - Not Anticipated

POPULATION SERVED

• Neonate/Infant up to 1 year: No
• Youth (1yr to 15 yrs): No
• Adult (16 and up): No

The above job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work.  This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.  LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.     

WORK SHIFT:

Variable Hours (United States of America)

LCMC Health is a community. 

Our people make health happen. While our NOLA roots run deep, our branches are the vessels that carry our mission of bringing the best possible care to every person and parish in Louisiana and beyond and put a little more heart and soul into healthcare along the way. Celebrating authenticity, originality, equity, inclusion and a little “come on in” attitude is the foundation of LCMC Health’s culture of everyday extraordinary

Children’s Hospital, at the heart of LCMC Health’s incredible community of care, has been the go-to hospital for expert children’s health, wellness, and one-of-a-kind care in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Learn more about Children’s Hospital’s 40+ specialties and our national ranking by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Children's Hospital

Your extras

• Deliver healthcare with heart. 
• Give people a reason to smile. 
• Put a little love in your work. 
• Be honest and real, but with compassion.  
• Bring some lagniappe into everything you do. 
• Forget one-size-fits-all, think one-of-a-kind care. 
• See opportunities, not problems – it’s all about perspective. 
• Cheerlead ideas, differences, and each other. 
• Love what makes you, you - because we do

You are welcome here. 

LCMC Health is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

The above job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.  LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.

 

Simple things make the difference. 

1.    To get started, take your time to fully and accurately complete the application for employment. Incomplete applications get bogged down and are often eliminated due to missing information. 

2.    To ensure quality care and service, we may use information on your application to verify your previous employment and background.  

3.    To keep our career applications up-to-date, applications are inactive after 6 months and, therefore, require a new application for employment to be completed. 

4.    To expedite the hiring process, proof of citizenship or immigration status will be required to verify your lawful right to work in the United States.