General Summary of Position:
Works as first or second assistant during open heart and other vascular and thoracic surgical procedures under the direction of the attending physician. This provider will assist with the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the cardiac surgical patient within the operating room.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Reviews and interprets, as appropriate, the patient chart, medical history, and clinical imaging as it for preoperative planning
Recognizes abnormalities of electrocardiogram in the OR and ICU settings and takes appropriate action to assist in the correction and stabilization of the arrhythmias and hemodynamic parameters of the patient
Primary role is to assist in the cardiac surgery operating room. Roles include but are not limited to:
Opening the sternum utilizing mid-line sternotomy technique
Preparing the patient for arterial and venous cannulation
First assisting cardiac surgeon in cases including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair/replacement (open and robotic approach), aortic arch repair, mechanical circulatory support, and heart transplant
Assist in percutaneous insertion of devices
Harvesting and preparing conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting, including internal mammary artery, greater saphenous vein, and radial artery
Place epicardial pacing wires and mediastinal/pleural drains
Closing the mid-line sternotomy
Teaching/mentoring less experienced staff
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Graduation from Accredited program (PA or ACNP)
RN First Assistant program required for nurse practitioners
Experience:
5 years experience cardiac surgery care preferred
Minimum of two years operating room experience
Licenses and Certifications:
Licensed Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner + RN First Assist in the District of Columbia required
This position has a hiring range of USD $115,003.00 - USD $165,006.00 /Yr.