Job Title: Cardiothoracic Physician Assistant (CTPA)

Location: Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center Milwaukee, WI

Period of Performance:

• Base Period: April 1, 2025 September 30, 2025
• Option Period: October 1, 2025 March 31, 2026 (subject to renewal)

Job Summary:

The Cardiothoracic Physician Assistant (CTPA) will provide on-site support to the Cardiothoracic Surgery Program at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. The CTPA will work under the supervision of a cardiothoracic surgeon, assisting in operating room procedures, preoperative and postoperative care, and on-call support for urgent surgical needs.

This role requires board certification, prior experience in cardiothoracic surgery, and compliance with VA credentialing requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Surgical Assistance:

• Act as first or second surgical assistant during cardiothoracic surgeries.
• Perform vein harvesting for bypass procedures.
• Assist with opening and closing incisions related to cardiac and thoracic procedures.
• Support intraoperative management, including placement and monitoring of lines, drains, and catheters.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Conduct preoperative evaluations and assess patients before surgery.
• Perform postoperative monitoring and manage patient recovery.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests related to cardiothoracic conditions.
• Provide guidance and education to patients on post-surgical care.

On-Call Coverage:

• Carry a pager/cell phone while on-call for urgent surgical needs.
• Respond within 30 minutes to on-call activations.
• Be available for emergency surgical interventions as required.

Administrative & Compliance Duties:

• Maintain accurate and timely electronic health records (EHR) in the VAs system.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, patient confidentiality policies, and VA security protocols.
• Participate in quality assurance programs to improve surgical outcomes.
• Complete all VA-mandated training and ongoing Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Certification & Licensing:

• Board Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Active, unrestricted PA license in any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (required).
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification (preferred).

Education & Experience:

• Graduate of an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a surgical PA in cardiothoracic surgery.

Technical Proficiency:

• Ability to assist with cardiothoracic surgical procedures efficiently.
• Proficiency in electronic medical records (EMR), including VAs CPRS system.
• Knowledge of infection control protocols and patient safety standards.

Background & Health Requirements:

• Must pass VA background check and fingerprinting.
• Completion of mandatory VA training courses before starting work.
• Proof of vaccinations (TB test, influenza, Hepatitis B, etc.) in compliance with VA healthcare worker policies.

Work Schedule:

• Regular Hours:
  • Tuesdays: 7:30 AM 4:30 PM
  • Wednesdays: 8:30 AM 5:30 PM
  • Thursdays: 7:30 AM 1:00 PM
• On-Call Shifts:
  • Tuesdays: 4:30 PM Wednesday 8:30 AM
  • Wednesdays: 5:30 PM Thursday 7:30 AM
  • Thursdays: 1:00 PM Friday 12:00 AM

Education & Experience:

• Graduate of an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a surgical PA in cardiothoracic surgery.

Technical Proficiency:

• Ability to assist with cardiothoracic surgical procedures efficiently.
• Proficiency in electronic medical records (EMR), including VAs CPRS system.
• Knowledge of infection control protocols and patient safety standards.

Education & Experience:

• Graduate of an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a surgical PA in cardiothoracic surgery.

Certification Requirements:

• Board Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Active, unrestricted PA license in any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (required).
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification (preferred).