Physician Assistant - Thoracic Oncology Surgery

Job Details

Job Title: Advanced Practice Provider - Thoracic Surgery / Thoracic Oncology

(Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner)

Collaborating Physician: Abbas El-Sayed Abbas, MD - Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Catholic Health; Chief of Thoracic Oncology, Catholic Health Cancer Institute

Position Overview

Catholic Health of Long Island is seeking highly skilled and motivated Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)-Physician Assistants (PAs) or Nurse Practitioners (NPs)-to join our growing thoracic surgery and oncology team under the leadership of Dr. Abbas El-Sayed Abbas, an internationally recognized expert in minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery.

APPs will play a key role in delivering perioperative and longitudinal care for patients with thoracic malignancies and complex chest diseases, supporting advanced surgical techniques and a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach within the Catholic Health Cancer Institute.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care & Surgical Support

• Deliver comprehensive perioperative care for patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures, including lung, esophageal, mediastinal, and foregut surgeries.
• Obtain detailed medical histories, perform physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and contribute to individualized treatment planning.
• Serve as first or second assist in thoracic surgical procedures, including VATS and robotic-assisted surgeries (PAs or appropriately credentialed NPs).
• Coordinate preoperative workups including labs, imaging, and specialty consults.
• Participate in inpatient rounding, monitor postoperative recovery, and manage chest tubes, drains, and wounds.
• Provide outpatient follow-up care in thoracic oncology clinics, ensuring continuity of care across the patient journey.

Oncology & Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• Collaborate with specialists in oncology, pulmonology, radiology, pathology, and palliative care to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.
• Actively engage in tumor boards, multidisciplinary case discussions, and care planning meetings.
• Educate patients and families on diagnoses, surgical and oncologic interventions, recovery expectations, and survivorship care.

Education & Research Support

• Mentor APP students, nursing staff, and new team members in thoracic surgery practices.
• Support clinical research efforts, quality improvement initiatives, and outcomes tracking within thoracic oncology.
• Assist with patient recruitment, data collection, and adherence to research protocols when applicable.

Administrative & Programmatic Contributions

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the EMR, adhering to Catholic Health policies, regulatory standards, and payer requirements.
• Participate in the development and refinement of clinical pathways, protocols, and quality metrics.
• Support strategic growth of thoracic surgery and oncology services across the Catholic Health system.

Qualifications

For All Candidates (PAs and NPs):

• Strong clinical judgment, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care in alignment with Catholic Health's mission.

Physician Assistant (PA) Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited PA program with current NCCPA certification.
• Licensed as a PA in the State of New York.
• First-assist experience required; robotic surgery experience highly preferred.
• Minimum 2-3 years of surgical or oncology experience preferred.
• BLS and ACLS certification required.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program with current national certification (e.g., AANP, ANCC).
• Licensed as an NP in the State of New York with appropriate RN/NP licensure.
• Acute Care NP certification preferred (especially for inpatient or surgical focus).
• First-assist/OR experience preferred for NPs assisting in surgery; credentialing required for surgical support roles.
• Minimum 2-3 years of surgical, oncology, or thoracic care experience strongly preferred.
• BLS and ACLS certification required.

Salary Range

USD $69.54 - USD $93.00 /Hr.