CT Surgery Operating Room and Clinic APP (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant)

Onsite role in Palo Alto, California (500 Pasteur Dr).

About the role

Join our team of top-notch medical professionals and provide world-class care to patients undergoing cardiac and thoracic surgeries. We are seeking a skilled and experienced CT Surgery Operating Room and clinic Advanced Practice Provider (APP) to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate has experience in the operating room and clinical settings, with a preference for Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH) experience. This role does not require any night shifts or regular weekend shifts, allowing for a healthy work-life balance. (Weeknight and weekend call coverage for the OR is required.)

Responsibilities

• Serve as a First or Second Assistant during cardiac surgeries.
• Assist surgeons with patient positioning, draping, suturing, and tissue handling.
• Prepare and manage surgical instruments and equipment.
• Assist with the setup and breakdown of the operating room.
• Support surgeons during minimally invasive procedures.
• Collaborate closely with the surgical team to ensure efficiency and safety.
• See patients independently and alongside surgeons in outpatient clinics, and assume responsibility for all preoperative work-ups for surgical patients.
• See postoperative patients in clinic, with the potential for wound care and debridement.
• Maintain detailed and accurate patient records.
• Follow all hospital policies and safety protocols.
• Evaluates and treats patients with acute, chronic complaints and health maintenance concerns related to specialty.
• Obtains complete histories and performs pertinent physical exams with assessment of normal and abnormal findings on new and return patients.
• Performs or requests and evaluates diagnostic studies as indicated upon evaluation of the patient.
• Administers medications according to the formulary protocol or upon patient-specific approval from the supervising physician.
• Orders and collects specimens for routine laboratory tests, screening procedures, and therapeutic procedures, including blood and blood products.
• Orders physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, radiology examinations, and nursing services.
• Performs designated procedures after demonstrated competency, according to written standardized procedures where applicable.
• Obtains informed consent, as indicated.
• Initiates arrangements for hospital admissions and discharges and completes appropriate paperwork.
• Enrolls patients in investigational studies approved by the IRB and orders the necessary tests and medications, as directed by the supervising physician.
• After appropriate training, assists the supervising physician in the operating room (OR).
• Acts as first or second assistant under the supervision of an approved supervising physician.
• Performs surgical procedures in the personal presence of the supervising physician.
• Recognizes and considers age-specific needs of patients.
• Effectively communicates and interacts with patients, families, staff, and members of the community from diverse backgrounds.
• Recognizes situations which require the immediate attention of a physician and initiates life-saving procedures when necessary.
• Facilitates the coordination of inpatient and outpatient care and services as needed.
• Facilitates collaboration between providers and coordination of community resources.
• Ensures compliance with legal, regulatory, and clinical policies and procedures.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives.
• Provides and coordinates patient teaching and counseling.

Requirements

• Strong clinical assessment and surgical skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a surgical team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques and infection control protocols.
• Attention to detail and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above from an accredited college or university. (Note: PAs hired prior to July 1, 2012 are not subject to this educational requirement.)
• Graduate of a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.
• Physician Assistant State Licensure.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certification.

Schedule

• Starting schedule: 4-day work week, split between clinic and OR at manager’s discretion based on training needs.
• Typically 4, 10-hour shifts.
• Potential to move to three 12-hour shifts; eligibility and timing to be determined at manager’s discretion.

Pay

Base pay scale: Generally starting at $89.01 - $117.94 per hour. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.