Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Job at Ballad Health in Johnson City, TN

Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute is a nationally recognized organization that delivers comprehensive cardiovascular care for our region. We service all the major facilities in Ballad Health System and have multiple regional offices throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Our organization has a robust Cardiothoracic surgery program as part of a greater organization providing comprehensive cardiac care. We are recruiting a Physician Assistant for our Level 1 Trauma Center Johnson City Medical program. Our team of 3 surgeons performs a full spectrum of cardiac, thoracic, and major vascular surgery as well as closely collaborating with our cardiology colleagues for structural heart care.

Responsibilities include:

• Triage, assessment, and coordination of care for cardiothoracic surgical patients 

• Assisting the surgeons in areas of clinical practice under direct/indirect supervision as appropriate for his/her training and experience.  

• Surgical wound closure  

• First assist on cardiac and thoracic surgical cases  

• Harvesting saphenous vein and radial artery conduits  

• Removal of chest tubes, Swan-Ganz catheters, pacemaker wires, drains, sutures/staples, and intra-aortic balloon pumps  

• Assist and perform thoracentesis, chest tube placement, and chest tube management, placement of central lines and arterial catheters.  

• Provide wound care.  

• Intensive care management of postoperative surgical patients

• Participate in cost containment and quality improvement activities and gathering of data.  

• Participate in call rotation with 1:3 call responsibility, including nights and weekends.  

• Working with a surgical team for  

• Preoperative evaluation, consultation, and preparation for surgery.  

• In hospital postoperative care.  

• Outpatient post discharge care.  

• Participate in divisional research activities.  

• Act as a liaison between surgeons and patients/families. The successful candidate will hold a Master’s Degree in a certified PA program along with NCCPA board certification, and have experience in cardiac surgery patient management in an ICU setting.

Opportunity Details:

• Full-time  

• Prefer a minimum of 2 years of experience with 1 year of surgery, preferably cardiac and/or thoracic surgery. 

• Requires active state license, valid DEA, and current BLS training.  

• Competitive Salary  

• Medical, Dental, Vision and 401K