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Physician Assistant, Thoracic Surgery, Full-time, Days

Northwestern Medicine · McHenry, 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.

Surgery is at McHenry but privileges span the northwest region hospitals. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states both the surgical site and the wider privileges.

No holidays, occasional late finishes and possible weekend coverage, with four ten-hour days a possibility. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting sets out all four conditions precisely.

What would you do

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.

How do you take responsibility for the outcome of a whole patient population?

What they are checking: The posting names responsibility for the health outcome of an assigned patient population.

About the work

Tell me about your surgical physician assistant experience.

What they are checking: The posting is a PA supporting a thoracic surgery team.

Tell me about your first assist experience in the operating room.

What they are checking: The surgical half of the role and it decides how useful they are on a case day.

What do you watch for in a patient after a lung resection?

What they are checking: Air leak, bleeding and respiratory failure are the early thoracic complications.

How do you manage a chest tube after thoracic surgery?

What they are checking: The daily decision on a thoracic service and it decides discharge.

How do you prepare a patient and family for a thoracic operation?

What they are checking: The posting names developing educational systems for patients, families and staff.

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 motivated Physician Assistant to work with our Thoracic Surgery team. This APP will support a comprehensive thoracic surgery practice, with responsibilities spanning the outpatient clinic, inpatient consult service, operating room, and shared call coverage. Time is divided between evaluating and managing patients in the office, providing hospital consults, assisting in the OR, and participating in weekend call when patients are admitted. Schedule: Monday-Friday - Opportunity for 4 ten hour shifts may be available. • No holiday coverage required • Occasional need to stay late based on surgical case volume • Potential for periodic weekend coverage depending on surgical needs Locations: Privileges across Northwestern Medicine Northwest region hospitals • Surgical cases performed at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital only 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. AA/EOE Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Required : • Master’s degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program • Acute care certification required for APRNs (inpatient experience as an NP will be considered in lieu of acute care certification) • First Assist Certification for all APRNs • Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number OR Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number • Privileged and credentialed through the Northwestern Medicine Medical Staff Office (MSO) • Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association Preferred: • 2+ years of 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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