Cardiac First Surgical Assistant, RNFA, or Physician Assistant

Company: University Hospitals
Location: Cleveland
Posted on: January 13, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Description Serving at our health system’s most advanced and complex cardiac surgery center, the UH Cleveland Medical First Assistant team performs a variety of state of the art surgeries and procedures giving our team a well-rounded experience in coronary, valve, transplant, robotic, and structural heart disease including hybrid structural and aortic interventions. Cardiac First Assistants support every cardiac surgery case across our system in and out of the operating room, including emergencies within the hospital and procedures in the cardiac cath lab. RNFA, Physician Assistant or Surgical Assist will be considered. Cardiac OR experience strongly preferred. When you join UH, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, which includes, but is not limited to: - Competitive salary - $10,000 sign on bonus - Medical, dental, and vision coverage - Paid time off - Retirement and pension plans - Free parking for regular-status employees A Brief Overview The Cardiac First Assist works under the direction and supervision of the attending physician to provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. Performs preoperative and postoperative duties to better facilitate the needs of the surgical patient during the perioperative period. The First Assist will 1st and/or 2nd assist cardiac surgical procedures. The First Assist will cover regional call to support the Cardiac Surgery program across the system as well as covering call for Transplant, both donor and recipient, which requires the ability to travel in cars, ambulances, planes and helicopters. Additional Responsibilities - Performs other duties as assigned. - Complies with all policies and standards. - For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation. - Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace. Qualifications RNFA /n /n - Graduation of approved RN Program (Required) and /n - Completion of state approved RNFA course (Required) /n /n /n - less than 1 year Minimum of 6 months taking Second call for Cardiac Surgery service line (Required) /n /n /n - Registered Nurse (RN), Ohio and/or Multi State Compact License (Required Upon Hire) and /n - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (Preferred within 6 Months) and /n - Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) (Required) and /n - Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) (Preferred) /n - RNFA registration with OBN (Required) /n /n /n Surgical Assistant /n /n - Graduation of approved SA Program (Required) /n /n /n - less than 1 year experience taking Second Call for Cardiac service line (Required) /n /n /n - National certification from National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) (Preferred) or /n - National certification from Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA) (Preferred) or /n - National certification from American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) (Preferred) /n /n /n Physician Assistant /n /n - Associate's Degree in healthcare related field with emphasis on clinical practice. (Required) or /n - Bachelor's Degree in healthcare related field with emphasis on clinical practice (Required) and /n - Master's Degree in healthcare related field with emphasis on clinical practice. (Preferred) /n /n /n - 1 years of Cardiac Surgery experience as a Level 1 (Preferred) /n /n /n - Current license to practice in Ohio (Required) and /n - Professional Certifications as required by OSMB- additional certifications (Preferred) /n /n Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities /n /n - Must demonstrate proficiency in taking Second Call (Required proficiency) /n - Advanced Life Support Equipment knowledge (Required proficiency) /n - Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, proper use of all instruments and equipment used during CT surgery procedures. (Required proficiency) /n - High degree of hand/eye coordination and uniform mental attention. (Required proficiency /n /n Physical Demands /n /n - Standing Frequently /n - Walking Frequently /n - Sitting Rarely /n - Lifting Frequently 50 lbs /n - Carrying Frequently 50 lbs /n - Pushing Frequently 50 lbs /n - Pulling Frequently 50 lbs /n - Climbing Occasionally 50 lbs /n - Balancing Occasionally /n - Stooping Frequently /n - Kneeling Frequently /n - Crouching Frequently /n - Crawling Occasionally /n - Reaching Frequently /n - Handling Frequently /n - Grasping Frequently /n - Feeling Constantly /n - Talking Constantly /n - Hearing Constantly /n - Repetitive Motions Constantly /n - Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly /n

Keywords: University Hospitals, Dearborn , Cardiac First Surgical Assistant, RNFA, or Physician Assistant, Healthcare , Cleveland, Michigan