Location: Lexington, KY

Contract Type: Travel Contract

Shift Type: Primarily weekend 24-hour coverage: Friday 7:00 AM - Monday 7:00 AM (one weekend per month); plus 1-2 on-call 24-hour days per week (7:00 AM - 7:00 AM), schedule variable to support vacation coverage and PRN needs. Shift type: day_night (rotating 24-hour call)

About United Health Care Staffing

At United Health Care Staffing (UHC Staffing), we believe healthcare staffing should be more than just finding a job. We are here to connect amazing professionals with opportunities that make their careers exciting, rewarding, and meaningful. With us, you're not just signing up for a contract you are joining a team that's got your back, answers your calls, and maybe even cracks a joke or two to brighten your day. Think of us as the travel buddy who handles the logistics while you focus on what you do best helping people heal.

Roles & Responsibilities

• First assist in cardiothoracic procedures such as CABG, AVR, and MVR with precision and calm under pressure
• Assist in thoracotomy and lung resection cases, contributing to excellent operative outcomes
• Perform procedural duties including chest tube placement and vein harvest in the OR and inpatient settings
• Provide telemetry and ICU patient care, including assessment, management, and escalation when needed
• Conduct inpatient rounds on weekends and during coverage shifts to ensure continuity of care
• Collaborate closely with surgeons and perioperative staff to coordinate patient care and case flow
• Document thoroughly in Epic to maintain clear, compliant medical records

Qualifications

• Certified Physician Assistant (PA) — current certification required
• Active Kentucky state license (KY state license) required; inability to obtain KY license is a deal breaker
• Proven first-assist skills in CABG, AVR, MVR and experience with thoracotomy/lung resection
• Comfortable performing chest tube placement and vein harvest
• Ability to be credentialed at Saint Joseph Hospital (credentialing timeframe ~90-110 days)
• Malpractice coverage in good standing (malpractice issues are a deal breaker)
• Familiarity with Epic electronic medical record

Education

• Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) — current certification required

Knowledge & Skills

• Cardiothoracic surgical assisting and operative room workflow
• Procedural competence: chest tube placement, vein harvest, thoracotomy support
• Inpatient care including telemetry monitoring and ICU management
• Strong perioperative communication and teamwork with surgeons and OR staff
• Proficient documentation skills in Epic
• Ability to manage on-call responsibilities and weekend inpatient duties

Benefits

• Generous travel and lodging support with preferred hotel options close to the hospital
• Travel reimbursement for local travel arrangements
• Licensure assistance and credentialing support to get you working at Saint Joseph Hospital
• Malpractice coverage must be included and supported
• Flexible PRN scheduling so you can balance life and work
• A collaborative surgical team that values your procedural expertise
• Opportunity to expand cardiothoracic surgical skills and first-assist experience
• Supportive onboarding and orientation process

Travel Perks: Explore Lexington, KY

Lexington is a charming Bluegrass town with plenty to explore between shifts. Tour the Kentucky Horse Park and visit historic horse farms, catch a race or a visit to Keeneland when in season, and enjoy downtown Lexington's coffee shops, local restaurants, and craft breweries. If you want a nature escape, Red River Gorge offers excellent hiking and rock climbing about an hour away. Sports fans can catch University of Kentucky events, and there are several museums and cultural sites for relaxed weekends. Preferred lodging options include The Campbell House, Tru by Hilton University Medical, and Candlewood Suites Lexington - Medical District for convenience to the hospital.

Hashtags

#PhysicianAssistantJobs #PAJobs #LexingtonKYJobs #CardiothoracicPA #SurgicalPA #TravelPA #HealthcareJobs #UHCCareers #EpicEMR #PRNJobs