Cardiac Surgery First Assist
MedStar Health · Washington, DC
Posted October 17, 2026
MedStar Washington Hospital Center · 110 Irving St NW, Washington, DC, US, 20010
- Pay: $115,000 – $190,000 per year
- Schedule: Full Time, Day/Evening
- Location: MedStar Washington Hospital Center
- MedStar Job ID: 168977
The incumbent of this role works as a first or second assistant during open-heart and other vascular and thoracic surgical procedures under the direction of the attending physician. The primary focus of this position is the cardiac surgery operating room. The PA/APP will work closely with cardiac surgeons and experienced APPs while developing skills in first assisting, conduit harvesting, surgical exposure, and perioperative care.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Reviews relevant patient history, diagnostic studies, and imaging in preparation for surgery.
- Participates in a structured orientation and competency-development program.
- Assists in the cardiac surgery operating room. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting cardiac surgeons during open and/or minimally invasive cardiac surgical procedures.
- Serving as a first or second assistant based on experience and demonstrated competency.
- Participating in procedures including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair/replacement, aortic surgery, mechanical circulatory support, and other cardiac surgical procedures.
- Developing skills in endoscopic and open saphenous vein harvesting and radial artery harvesting.
- Working collaboratively with surgeons, APPs, anesthesia, perfusion, nursing, and other members of the cardiac surgery team.
Education
- Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant (PA) or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program.
- RN First Assistant (RNFA) program required for Nurse Practitioners.
Experience
- Previous operating room, cardiac surgery, cardiovascular, or related clinical experience preferred but not required.
Licenses and Certifications
- Physician Assistant: Current or eligible for Physician Assistant licensure in the District of Columbia.
- Nurse Practitioner: Current or eligible for Nurse Practitioner licensure in the District of Columbia and completion of an RN First Assistant program.
Compensation
Total compensation for this position is a combination of base salary, a first-assist adjuster, and an off-shift adjuster.
Employer
MedStar Health
MedStar Health is the largest health system and the largest provider of healthcare services in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore region. A non-profit organization, MedStar brings together 30,000 associates working at 10 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care sites, more than 700 access points of care across more than 225 zip codes in 17 counties in Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia.
The MedStar system includes:
- Hospitals including MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Union Memorial, MedStar Franklin Square, MedStar Good Samaritan, MedStar Harbor, MedStar Montgomery, MedStar Southern Maryland and MedStar St. Mary's
- MedStar Medical Group, one of the nation's 15 largest medical groups, plus ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care and primary care practices across the region
- One of the largest graduate medical education programs in the country, with major research and innovation platforms
Why physicians and advanced practice providers choose MedStar:
- Published hiring ranges on every position
- The largest employed anesthesia group in the region, with MDAs, CRNAs and CAAs employed directly by the health system
- Productivity and quality incentives, paid malpractice, CME time and allowance, and 403(b), 457(b) and 457(f) retirement plans on many roles
- Student loan forgiveness eligibility as a non-profit employer
Recognition: MedStar Health has been named one of "America's Greatest Workplaces" by Newsweek (including Inclusion and Diversity, Women, Parents and Families, Mental Wellbeing and Healthcare) and one of "America's Best Employers" by Forbes. MedStar is committed to equity for all people and communities.