Chief Physician Assistant Surgical

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The Department of Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgery is seeking a highly experienced Chief Physician Assistant (PA) to provide clinical leadership and administrative oversight of the PA team. This role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of patient care, optimizing operational performance, and supporting the professional development of Physician Assistants within the service.

The Chief PA partners closely with Physician Leadership to drive quality outcomes, enhance team performance, and support the strategic growth of the thoracic surgery program.

Leadership & Administration

• Provide overall leadership and supervision of Physician Assistants within Thoracic Surgery
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and daily operations to ensure continuous clinical coverage
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention of PA staff
• Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development
• Assist with payroll, budgeting, and resource management
• Serve as a liaison between PAs, physicians, nursing, and administrative leadership

Clinical Oversight

• Ensure delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care across all clinical settings
• Collaborate with attending physicians and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care
• Monitor clinical performance, patient outcomes, and satisfaction metrics
• Support development and implementation of clinical protocols and pathways

Education & Program Development

• Develop and maintain PA orientation, training, and competency programs
• Mentor and support ongoing education and clinical skill development
• Participate in departmental initiatives, research activities, and quality improvement efforts

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements (e.g., JCAHO, NYS DOH)
• Support audit readiness and accreditation standards
• Oversee documentation standards and reporting requirements

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments, including histories and physical exams
• Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Assist in thoracic surgical procedures and provide perioperative care
• Develop and implement treatment plans in collaboration with supervising physicians
• Perform advanced procedures (as credentialed), including line placement and chest tube insertion
• Respond to emergencies and perform life-saving interventions as needed

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies from an accredited program
• Current certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• Active New York State Physician Assistant license (or eligibility)
• Minimum of 4-6 years of clinical experience; thoracic or surgical experience strongly preferred
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications
• Strong leadership, clinical judgment, and communication skills

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