Locums Cardiothoracic Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

We are seeking an experienced Locums Cardiothoracic Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to join a well-established cardiothoracic surgery team in Tacoma, Washington. This is a high-acuity, hands-on role supporting both cardiac and thoracic surgical services with a strong emphasis on operative first assist and inpatient management.

Compensation:  $200.00 Per Hour

 

Schedule & Call

 

• Weekday Coverage: Monday–Friday with variable hours
• Typical days: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, though some days may extend beyond this
• Call:
• 3–4 weekday call days per week
• 1:4 weekend call rotation
• Call includes 24-hour pager coverage
• On-call days may require 10–12+ hours on site
• Weekend call generally 6–8+ hours per day, depending on census

 

Practice Overview

 

• Case Volume:
• 6–8 cardiac cases per week
• 9–12 thoracic cases per week

 

Key Responsibilities

 

• Assist with pre- and post-operative evaluation and management
• OR first assist for cardiac and thoracic procedures, including:
• CABG and valve surgeries
• Aortic and aortic arch reconstruction
• Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted thoracic surgeries (VATS, DaVinci)
• Endoscopic vein harvest and open radial artery harvest
• Thoracic and foregut procedures
• ICU and step-down unit management
• Perform emergent bedside procedures (e.g., chest tubes, arterial lines)
• Daily inpatient rounds and discharge planning
• Weekend patient rounds and evening/night surgical coverage as needed
• Walk-in/urgent clinic visits when surgeons are unavailable
• Clinic wound checks and follow-up care

 

Requirements

 

• Board Certification (NP or PA)
• Minimum 3 years of Cardiothoracic/CV Surgery experience
• Active Washington State license strongly preferred (IMLC considered)
• ACLS, BLS, and DEA required

 

Tacoma, Washington is a vibrant waterfront city near Seattle, offering scenic views of Puget Sound, easy access to outdoor recreation, and a revitalized downtown with museums, dining, and a strong arts and healthcare community.