Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant

Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant – Cardiothoracic Surgery | $145–$155/Hour | Locum Tenens | Fountain Valley, CA

Location: Fountain Valley, CA
Pay Rate: $145–$155/hour
Assignment Length: 26-Week Contract with Potential for Extension
Schedule: Four 10-Hour Shifts Per Week
Shift Options: 7:00 AM–5:30 PM or 9:00 AM–6:30 PM
Setting: Acute Care Hospital

Position Overview

An acute care hospital in Fountain Valley, CA is seeking an experienced Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) for a locum tenens Cardiothoracic Surgery assignment. This opportunity offers the chance to work alongside a highly collaborative cardiac surgery team within a respected hospital environment while supporting patients across the perioperative continuum of care.

Designed with provider workflow and sustainability in mind, this role offers a predictable four-day workweek, no call responsibilities, strong interdisciplinary collaboration, and manageable patient volumes to support high-quality patient care and work-life balance.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced cardiothoracic APP seeking a well-supported, clinically engaging assignment with schedule consistency and extension potential.

Position Highlights

• Competitive compensation of $145–$155/hour
• 26-week assignment with potential for extension
• Predictable schedule of four 10-hour shifts per week
• Shift options available: 7:00 AM–5:30 PM or 9:00 AM–6:30 PM
• No call responsibilities
• Opportunity to work within a collaborative cardiothoracic surgery team in an acute care hospital setting
• Average patient volume of approximately 10 patients per day to support manageable workflow and patient-focused care
• Strong physician and APP collaboration in a team-based environment
• Epic EMR

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive pre-operative and post-operative care for cardiothoracic surgery patients
• Manage patients in the ICU setting and support continuity of care across the surgical pathway
• Conduct daily rounds and coordinate patient discharges
• Collaborate closely with cardiac surgeons, advanced practice providers, and interdisciplinary clinical teams
• Support high-quality documentation, patient safety, and care coordination efforts
• Perform chest tube removal when applicable (experience preferred but not required)
• Maintain compliance with hospital protocols, quality standards, and patient care expectations

Practice Setting

• Acute care hospital setting with 260 beds
• Average patient volume of approximately 10 patients per day
• Collaborative care environment with dedicated APP and surgeon support
• Epic EMR platform

Requirements

• Active California NP or PA license required
• Board Certification required
• Active DEA registration required
• BLS and ACLS certifications required
• CALS preferred, but not required
• Minimum 3–5 years of cardiothoracic or cardiac surgery experience required
• Clean background and malpractice history required

Compensation & Assignment Details

• Competitive hourly compensation ranging from $145–$155/hour
• Travel and lodging considered through an all-inclusive rate structure
• Local candidates strongly preferred
• Weekend coverage may be required based on scheduling needs
• Transparent expectations around schedule, workflow, patient volume, and assignment responsibilities

Why This Opportunity

• Predictable four-day workweek supporting work-life balance
• No call responsibilities
• Collaborative cardiac surgery environment with dedicated physician and APP support
• Manageable daily patient volume and structured workflow
• Opportunity to deepen cardiothoracic surgical experience in a respected hospital setting
• Long-term assignment stability with extension potential

What Candidates Can Expect

We value transparency throughout the hiring process. Candidates can expect clear communication regarding scheduling expectations, patient volumes, weekend requirements, clinical responsibilities, onboarding, and assignment structure so you can confidently determine whether this opportunity aligns with your clinical goals and preferred practice environment.

Apply Today

If you are an experienced Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant specializing in Cardiothoracic Surgery and seeking strong compensation, schedule consistency, collaborative team support, and a rewarding locum opportunity in Southern California, apply today to learn more.