Chief Physician Assistant- Cardiac Surgery, Operating Room

About the Role

Tufts Medical Center is conducting a national search for an experienced and highly motivated cardiac surgery Physician Assistant to serve as Chief Physician Assistant – Cardiac Surgery, leading the operating room PA team and serving as Director of PA Education. The role combines advanced surgical practice with leadership, education, operational excellence, and professional development within a high‑acuity academic cardiac surgery program. You will work alongside nationally recognized cardiac surgeons to deliver complex cardiac surgical care in New England while building a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Cardiac Surgery OR PA team: staff education, mentorship, onboarding, professional development, performance, and building a high‑performing clinical team.
• Direct PA staffing, scheduling, and operating room clinical operations across the Cardiac Surgery program, optimizing coverage, OR efficiency, workflow, and continuity of care.
• Serve as Director of PA Education: develop and advance clinical training, technical education, onboarding, mentorship, and ongoing professional development for the Cardiac Surgery OR PA team.
• Partner with Cardiac Surgery physician and administrative leadership to build and advance the program, establishing best practices, improving workflows and quality, and shaping long‑term strategy and growth of the PA team.
• Maintain an active clinical presence in the operating room as a surgical first assist in complex cardiac procedures, including CABG, valve repair/replacement, aortic surgery, cardiac tumor resections, mechanical circulatory support, heart transplantation, endoscopic and open conduit harvesting (greater saphenous vein, radial artery).
• Clinical responsibilities are exclusively in the operating room; no clinic or inpatient service coverage.
• Leadership and educational responsibilities are focused specifically on the Cardiac Surgery OR PA team.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Successful completion of a Physician Assistant program.
• Physician Assistant Certification within one (1) year of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Five (5) years of Physician Assistant experience.
• State and federal controlled substances registration.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree.
• Two (2) years of Physician Assistant experience.
• Bilingual.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to care for critically ill adult and pediatric patients with a broad range of medical problems.
• Effective interpersonal skills for interacting with physicians, staff, patients and families.
• Excellent analytical skills for evaluating patients and coordinating treatment plans.
• Maturity, self‑confidence, and ability to follow complex patient management plans as directed by the attending surgeon.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate the activities of several physician assistants.
• High level of verbal and written communication skills to develop and implement educational programs, evaluate staff, and treat patients.

Benefits

• $15,000 sign‑on bonus.
• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Annual CME stipend plus dedicated CME days.
• Opportunity to practice at a leading academic medical center while helping shape the future of cardiac surgery care.
• Leadership and career advancement opportunities.

Pay

Pay range: $149,760.00 – $224,640.00 based on full‑time equivalent.