Location: Tacoma, Washington

Contract Type: Travel Contract

Shift Type: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM (typical day schedule; not strict shift work—some days may extend). Rotating on-call: every 6th night (24-hour pager coverage) and every 6th weekend (1:4 weekend call). Call days often require 10-12+ hours; weekend clinical coverage variable, typically 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Rotating (day/night/weekend) coverage required.

Hours per Week: 40

Candidate Pay Rate: $196 per hour

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

• Assist with pre- and post-operative patient evaluation and treatment to ensure safe, coordinated care
• Serve as OR first assist for coronary artery bypass, valve repairs/replacements, and aortic reconstructions
• Perform and support robotic-assisted thoracic and VATS procedures, and assist with DaVinci cases
• Conduct endoscopic vein harvests and open radial artery harvests as needed
• Manage ICU and step-down patients, including emergent bedside procedures (chest tubes, arterial lines)
• Lead daily rounds, document discharge summaries, and maintain clear EMR records in EPIC
• Provide walk-in/urgent clinic coverage and clinic wound checks when primary surgeons are unavailable
• Carry 24-hour pager coverage on call days and coordinate care with surgeons and RN staff

Qualifications

• Current Physician Assistant licensure (state licensure required prior to start)
• Proven experience as a Cardiothoracic Surgery APP with OR first-assist experience
• Demonstrated competence with CABG, valve surgeries, aortic procedures, and robotic thoracic cases (highly preferred)
• Comfort and experience managing ICU and step-down patients and performing emergent floor procedures
• Familiarity with EPIC for clinical documentation
• Ability to complete credentialing within the facility timeframe (credentialing timeframe noted as 90 days; application to be returned within 10 days of kick-off)
• Willingness to work full-time (1.0 FTE) and participate in the on-call rotation (nights and weekends)

Education

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program (required)

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong inpatient cardiothoracic care and perioperative management skills
• OR assistance and advanced procedural skills (CABG, valves, aortic reconstruction)
• Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery and VATS familiarity (DaVinci experience highly valued)
• Endoscopic vein and radial artery harvest techniques
• ICU/step-down management, including chest tube and arterial line placement
• Effective interdisciplinary communication with surgeons, RNs, and midlevel colleagues
• Proficient documentation and workflow within EPIC

Benefits

• Malpractice coverage provided as part of the assignment
• Generous housing support and travel reimbursement for contract clinicians
• Comprehensive onboarding and orientation to get you confident in the role
• Licensure and credentialing support with a clear 90-day timeframe and dedicated assistance
• Work with a collaborative surgical team—RN support and multiple perm surgeons on staff
• Opportunities to expand robotic and advanced thoracic surgical skills
• Support for professional development and transition opportunities to perm roles
• A welcoming team culture that values clinician wellbeing and work-life balance

Travel Perks: Explore Tacoma, Washington

Explore Tacoma’s shoreline and parks during your downtime: stroll or bike along the Ruston Way waterfront, visit Point Defiance Park and its zoo & aquarium, and enjoy the scenic trails and gardens. Immerse yourself in local culture at the Museum of Glass and the Tacoma Art Museum, or grab a bite in the lively Proctor or downtown districts. Take easy day trips to Mount Rainier National Park for hiking and photography, or hop a short drive/ferry to Seattle for big-city attractions, concerts, and dining. Plenty of outdoor recreation, waterfront views, and Pacific Northwest charm to enjoy between shifts.

Hashtags

#PhysicianAssistantJobs #TacomaWAJobs #CardiothoracicAPP #TravelHealthcare #UHCCareers #SurgeryJobs #EPICClinicians #RoboticSurgery #HealthcareTravel #CardiacSurgeryJobs