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Physician Assistant - Cardiac Surgery, Full-time, Rotating

Northwestern Medicine · Palos Heights, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about mentoring a graduate student.

What they are checking: The posting names mentoring graduate students in advanced practice and patient care.

The schedule is four ten-hour shifts rotating between days and weeknights, one weekend a month and two holidays a year. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting sets out the whole rotation precisely.

How do you keep your practice consistent when you rotate between days and nights?

What they are checking: The posting names rotating days and weeknights.

What would you do

A patient's chest tube output suddenly increases. Walk me through what you do.

What they are checking: The classic early warning of a return to theatre.

How do you work with your collaborating surgeon?

What they are checking: The posting names conferring with the collaborating physician in the area of expertise.

About the work

Tell me about your cardiac surgery experience.

What they are checking: The posting is a PA in a cardiac surgery department.

Tell me about your first assist experience, including vein harvest.

What they are checking: Harvest and assisting are what a cardiac surgery PA does in the operating room.

What do you watch for in the first hours after open heart surgery?

What they are checking: Bleeding, tamponade and rhythm are the early postoperative risks.

How do you manage a patient on several titrated drips after surgery?

What they are checking: Postoperative cardiac management is drip and volume management.

How do you prepare a patient and family for cardiac surgery?

What they are checking: The posting names providing comprehensive teaching to patients and families.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for a Physician Assistant to work in our Cardiac Surgery department. The PA will provide day to day ICU coverage, clinic support, and first assisting in the OR. Schedule: M-F, 4x10s, rotating days and weeknights, one weekend per month, and two holidays per year. Essential Functions : • Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems. • Responsible for health outcome of an assigned patient population. • Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in area of clinical expertise. • Develops appropriate educational systems for patients, families and staff in areas of expertise. • Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice and patient care. • Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to area of expertise. Responsibilities : • Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in clinical area. • Provides direct clinical care to patients. • Prescribes/orders medications, therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests, x-rays and procedures according to clinical privileges. • Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care. • Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families. • Documents in the medical record all care and education provided and/or procedures performed for which the Licensed Advanced Practice Provider is responsible. • Refers to other disciplines as appropriate. • Consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise. • Integrates research based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making. • Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation. • Advocate for patients, families, coworkers, and the community. • Maintains certifications and continuing education as required for licensure and privileging. • Serves as a patient advocate and role model for "Patients First". • Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate. • Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and their families. • Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff. • Serves as a role model and preceptor to students. • Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty. • Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate. Required: • Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physician Assistant Programs • Physician Assistant in Medicine, Licensed (IL) • Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. • Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (American Heart Association) certification • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required as specified by department • Controlled substance license and DEA registration required as specified by the department • Two (2) years of experience as a PA • Prior OR experience is required Preferred: • Cardiac Surgery experience Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more. Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

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