Surgical Physician Assistant - Portland, Oregon

Job Description
Join a dynamic cardiovascular and thoracic surgical team as a locum Physician Assistant, providing both inpatient and outpatient care in a high-volume academic hospital setting. You’ll split time between clinic visits, operative assistance, and coordinated on-call coverage, enjoying a full-time schedule with flexible travel between sites. This role offers a structured Monday-Friday day shift plus a predictable 1-on-4 weekend call pattern.

Key Details

• Assignment Type: Locum Tenens
• Setting: Outpatient Clinic / Hospital / Surgery Center / Inpatient
• Start Date: March 1 2027
• Schedule: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, plus 24-hour beeper call (1 day/week, 1 weekend/month; weekend call Fri 7 AM – Mon 7 AM)
• Patient Population: Adult
• Location: Portland, OR
• Stipends: Housing and travel options can be discussed for non-local candidates

Benefits

• Weekly direct deposit
• Malpractice insurance with tail coverage
• Supportive credentialing assistance
• Lodging and mileage reimbursement (if applicable)
• Flexible scheduling (optional if applicable)

Job Responsibilities

• Provide surgical first-assist in thoracic and cardiovascular cases (VATS, open, robotic).
• Perform vein harvest using Maquet equipment and open radial/harmonic scalpel techniques.
• Conduct outpatient clinic visits (approximately two days per week) and manage pre-operative and post-operative patient care.
• Participate in inpatient rounding, collaborating with a team of three APPs.
• Triage and respond to 24-hour beeper calls, escalating to surgeons when necessary, primarily via phone.
• Assist in minor procedures within the Minor Procedures Unit when required.

Qualifications

• Active Physician Assistant license in Oregon (or compact state).
• DEA registration.
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications.
• Certified as a surgical first-assist; thoracic surgery experience preferred.
• Board certified or within five years of completion of a PA residency; certification in cardiovascular/thoracic specialty is a strong plus.
• Minimum five years recent experience in cardiovascular surgery preferred but not mandatory.
• Ability to travel between hospital and clinic sites and to communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Working Hours

• Full-time: 35-40 hours per week (guaranteed 40 hours).
• Standard shift: 10 hours (8 AM – 5 PM).
• Overtime may be applied after 40 hours with pre-approval.
• Call: 24-hour beeper, approximately one weekday call per week and one weekend call per month (Friday 7 AM – Monday 7 AM).

Skills

• Surgical first-assist certification.
• Proficiency with VATS, open, and robotic thoracic procedures.
• Vein harvest techniques (Maquet system, harmonic scalpel).
• Strong clinical documentation and EMR utilization.
• Excellent verbal communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to manage high-acuity calls and triage appropriately.