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Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Join Tufts Medical Center as Chief Physician Assistant - Cardiac Surgery Tufts Medical Center is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Physician Assistant to serve as Chief Physician Assistant ...

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Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery information

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$113.5K

$213.1K

$270.5K

How much do physician assistant cardiac surgery jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for physician assistant cardiac surgery in the United States is $213,124.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $154,000.00 and $250,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a physician assistant cardiac surgery?

Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery professionals are highly trained healthcare providers who assist cardiac surgeons during heart surgeries and provide pre- and post-operative care to patients. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking patient histories, conducting physical exams, assisting during surgical procedures, and managing patient recovery. These PAs play a crucial role in ensuring surgical procedures run smoothly and that patients receive comprehensive care throughout their treatment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a physician assistant cardiac surgery?

To thrive as a Physician Assistant in Cardiac Surgery, you need an accredited PA degree, NCCPA certification, and specialized experience or training in cardiothoracic surgery. Familiarity with surgical instruments, electronic medical records (EMRs), and advanced life-support systems is crucial. Strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure set outstanding PAs apart in this demanding field. These skills ensure safe, efficient surgical care and optimal patient outcomes in high-stakes environments.

What are the most common challenges faced by physician assistants in cardiac surgery, and how can they prepare for them?

Physician Assistants (PAs) in Cardiac Surgery often encounter challenges such as managing high-pressure situations in the operating room, adapting to rapidly changing patient conditions, and coordinating care across multidisciplinary teams. To prepare, PAs should develop strong technical skills, maintain up-to-date knowledge of cardiac surgical procedures, and practice effective communication with surgeons, nurses, and other staff. Building resilience and learning from experienced colleagues can also help PAs navigate the demands of this fast-paced and critical specialty.

What is the difference between Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery vs Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant?

AspectPhysician Assistant Cardiac SurgeryCardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant
CredentialsMaster's degree, NCCPA certification, surgical assisting trainingMaster's degree, NCCPA certification, surgical assisting training
Work EnvironmentOperating rooms, cardiac ICU, pre- and post-op careOperating rooms, thoracic and cardiac units, outpatient clinics
Employer & IndustryHospitals, cardiac surgery centers, academic medical centersHospitals, specialized surgical centers, academic institutions

Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistants share similar credentials and work environments, often assisting in cardiac and thoracic surgeries. The main difference lies in their specific focus areas; the former specializes primarily in cardiac procedures, while the latter covers both cardiac and thoracic surgeries. Both roles are vital in surgical teams within hospitals and surgical centers.

More about Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery jobs

What cities are hiring for Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery jobs?

Cities with the most Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery job openings:

What states have the most Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery jobs?

States with the most job openings for Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery jobs are:

Infographic showing various Physician Assistant Cardiac Surgery job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $213,124 per year, or $102.5 per hour.

Chief Physician Assistant -Cardiac Surgery, Operating Room

Tufts Medicine

Boston, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Tufts Medicine rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 37 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

111th of 898 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Join Tufts Medical Center as Chief Physician Assistant - Cardiac Surgery
Tufts Medical Center is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Physician Assistant to serve as Chief Physician Assistant - Cardiac Surgery, providing clinical and operational leadership within our high-acuity academic cardiac surgery program. This is a unique opportunity to lead and develop a team of Cardiac Surgery PAs while working alongside nationally recognized cardiac surgeons and helping shape the continued growth and advancement of the program.
Key leadership responsibilities include:
  • Lead and develop the Cardiac Surgery PA team, with responsibility for staff education, mentorship, onboarding, professional development, performance, and building a high-performing clinical team.
  • Direct PA staffing, scheduling, and clinical operations across the Cardiac Surgery program, optimizing coverage, patient flow, OR efficiency, and continuity of care across the perioperative continuum.
  • Partner with Cardiac Surgery physician and administrative leadership to build and advance the program, establishing best practices, improving workflows and quality, and helping shape the long-term strategy and growth of the PA team.

In addition to these leadership responsibilities, the Chief Physician Assistant will maintain an active clinical presence within the Cardiac Surgery program, including serving as a surgical first assist in complex cardiac procedures. The program performs a broad range of procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair and replacement, aortic surgery, cardiac tumor resections, mechanical circulatory support procedures, and heart transplantation. Clinical responsibilities may also include endoscopic and open conduit harvesting, including greater saphenous vein and radial artery procurement.
Why Tufts Medicine?
  • Leadership and career advancement opportunities
  • Competitive salary and benefits
  • Annual CME stipend plus dedicated CME days
  • Practice at a leading academic medical center while helping shape the future of cardiac surgery care

Contact our team for more information @ mary.tallett@tuftsmedicine.org
Job Profile Summary
These roles focus on providing high-quality patient care and promoting wellness. APCs work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat a variety of acute and chronic conditions. In addition, this role focuses on care under the supervision of licensed physicians including conducting comprehensive patient assessments, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, injuries, and illnesses, developing and implementing treatment plans in collaboration with supervising physicians, prescribing medications and performing procedures, educating patients and families on treatment options, health maintenance, and preventive care and adjusting treatment plans as necessary. A management role that supervises employees focusing on tactical, operational activities within a specified area, with the majority of time spent overseeing area of responsibility, planning, prioritizing and/or directing the responsibilities of employees. Goal achievement is typically accomplished through performance of direct and/or indirect reports. A role that supervises para-professional employees. Responsibilities that typically include: Setting day-to-day operational objectives for team, problems faced may be difficult but typically are not complex, and ensures policies, practices and procedures are understood and followed by direct reports, customers and stakeholders.
Job Overview
This position reports to the Division Chief and Vice-President of Ambulatory Services and is responsible for the direction of the Physician Assistants, including arrangement of schedules, staffing during vacations, direction of orientation programs, formulation of in-service training programs and staff development. Acts as a liaison between adult and pediatric patients and families and physicians. Performs the clinical responsibilities of a staff physician assistant. Provides continuity of care for adult and pediatric patients during the course of fulfilling the tasks of a staff physician assistant. Participates in committees and task forces as directed by the Division Chief.
Job Description
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Bachelor's degree.
2. Successful completion of a Physician's Assistant program.
3. Physician's Assistant Certification within one (1) year of hire.
4. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
5. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
6. Five (5) year of Physician's Assistant experience.
7. State and federal controlled substances registration.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Master's degree.
2. Two (2) years of Physician's Assistant experience.
3. Bilingual.
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1. Orients and trains new physician assistants, coordinates schedules and vacation coverage.
2. Develops, refines and updates physician assistant job descriptions; develops behavioral objectives and performs initial evaluation of physician assistant students.
3. Prepares educational lectures on adult and pediatric topics for nursing and other ancillary personnel.
4. Serves on hospital committees as designated by the Division Chief; reviews and updates division protocols for adult and pediatric patient care for approval by the Division Chief.
5. Directs and supervises assigned personnel including performance evaluations, scheduling, orientation, and training. Makes recommendations on employee hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, terminations, and similar actions. Addresses grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities. Provides effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the staff for effective teamwork and motivation.
6. Develops, recommends, and manages budgets for the areas managed. Coordinates the assignment of tasks for the efficient utilization of available resources.
7. Maintains credentialing and licensure for Physician Assistant staff.
8. Oversees schedules and approvals for payroll reporting, dues and membership for Physician Assistant staff.
9. Obtains a detailed medical history and performs a comprehensive physical examination on adult and pediatric patients.
10. Performs preoperative preparation of adult and pediatric patients and reinforces information presented by the attending physician to the patient and/or family as necessary. Coordinates necessary tests, consultations, and procedures as indicated or requested by the attending physician.
11. First or second assists on routine and complex adult and pediatric surgical procedures as necessary. Positions and preps patients, performs operative assistance as requested, transcribes operative notes and postoperative orders in accordance with service protocols, accompanies patients to recovery room or intensive care units.
12. Performs bedside diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures on adult and pediatric patients as indicated or directed by the attending surgeon, including but not limited to thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy, central venous lines, Swan-Ganz catheter insertion, wound debridement, and endotracheal intubation.
13. Performs basic and advanced cardiac life support procedures as necessary and directs these efforts until the arrival of a senior physician.
14. Prepares adult and pediatric patients for discharge, including patient and family discharge teaching, continuing care and rehabilitation arrangements, writing discharge prescriptions, and confirming primary care or referring physician follow-up.
15. Prescribes pre and postoperative medications for adult and pediatric patients in accordance with service policies and/or attending physician's instructions.
16. Under the direction of the attending surgeon, executes a wide range of management plans for adult and pediatric patients.
17. Cares for adult and pediatric patients of the surgical services in the emergency department and outpatient clinics.
18. Dictates formal discharge summaries of adult and pediatric patients for the attending surgeon's review and signature.
19. Participates in the education of students and residents assigned to the surgical services.
20. Maintains collaborative team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working group's achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.
Skills & Abilities:
1. Possesses the ability to care for critically ill adult and pediatric patients with a broad range of medical problems.
2. Effective Interpersonal skills needed for interacting with physicians, staff, patients and their families, and so forth.
3. Excellent analytical skills needed for evaluating patients and coordinating treatment plans.
4. Possesses the maturity, self-confidence, and ability to follow complex patient management plans as directed by the attending surgeon.
5. Possesses the ability to supervise and coordinate the activities of several physician assistants.
6. Possesses a high level of verbal and written communication skills in order to develop and implement educational programs, evaluate staff, and treat patients.
At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.
The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.
Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth-one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.
Pay Range:
$141,440.00 - $176,800.00
based on full-time equivalent

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