Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant Career Guide

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Overview

If you have a passion for saving lives through surgical interventions and are drawn to the intricate world of the cardiovascular and cardiothoracic system, a career as a Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant (PA) might be your calling. In this guide, we will explore the role of a Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery PA, the educational requirements, qualifications, necessary skills, responsibilities and

Education

To become a Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery PA, you must first complete a Bachelor's degree, followed by enrollment in a Master's degree program in Physician Assistant Studies. These programs typically span about two to three years and are offered by accredited universities and medical schools. Admission requirements often include a bachelor's degree, prerequisite coursework in science and healthcare and relevant healthcare experience.

A stethoscope held in one hand

Related certifications

After completing your PA program, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) to obtain your PA license. To specialize in cardiovascular/cardiothoracic surgery, additional training and experience in surgical and critical care settings are typically required. Some PAs pursue additional certifications, such as the Cardiothoracic Surgery Certification offered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA),

Skills

To become a successful physician assistant in the field of cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery, one must possess a diverse set of skills and competencies. These include a strong surgical knowledge base, proficiency in surgical procedures relating to the cardiovascular and thoracic systems, critical thinking skills that enable quick decisions in surgery and critical care situations, and the ability to communicate

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Responsibilities

Cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery PAs play a crucial role in the surgical team. They assist surgeons during surgeries, manage pre- and post-operative care, and ensure that patients receive proper wound care and recover well. These PAs also have the responsibility of ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms and chest X-rays. Patient education is another important aspect of their

Salary Insights

Compare your pay with the most up-to-date job market data using our comprehensive salary calculator.
Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant
$5,554-7,140/week

The average salary for a Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant is $6,278.34 per week.

Last updated on December 13, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

Pros & Cons

Being a Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant has its pros and cons. On the positive side, it's a job that offers the unique opportunity to save lives through surgical interventions. This line of work is also in high demand, with a growing need for specialized surgical PAs in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery. Additionally, the job can be very fulfilling, as PAs

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Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant Jobs


View job details for Physician Assistant - Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery
Staff Position

Physician Assistant - Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • CT Assist
  • Chesapeake, VA
  • 5x8 hrs

$90-120/hour

View job details for Physician Assistant - Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery
Staff Position

Physician Assistant - Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Kaiser Permanente
  • San Francisco, CA
  • 5x8 hrs, Days

$168K-217K/year

approximately $80-105/hr
View job details for Physician Assistant - Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery
Staff Position

Physician Assistant - Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Kaiser Permanente
  • San Francisco, CA
  • 5x8 hrs, Days

$168K-217K/year

approximately $80-105/hr
View job details for Physician Assistant - Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery
Staff Position

Physician Assistant - Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Santa Clara, CA
  • 5x8 hrs, Days

$168K-217K/year

approximately $80-105/hr

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