Internal Medicine Physician Assistant
Company : First Physicians Group
Location : Tampa, FL, 33605
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 23 December 2025
Job Summary
Sarasota Memorial First Physicians Group has an excellent opportunity for an Advanced Practice Provider to join a busy and successful CV & Thoracic Surgery group. Sarasota is located approximately 60 minutes south of Tampa. The area is known for the arts, great restaurants, world-class beaches, excellent schools and a wide variety of activities for all ages.
Program Highlights:
- Sarasota Memorial’s nationally ranked Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery program features world-class facilities, one of the most advanced surgical teams in Florida and the region’s largest Robotic Thoracic Surgery program.
- Our physician led team performs more than 1,700+ Cardiovascular-Thoracic surgeries each year.
- Our surgeons routinely perform some of the most complex procedures, while consistently delivering results that exceed national benchmarks.
- Columbia Heart Source program, a CMS 5-Star rated Hospital, and STS 3-Star overall rated program.
Position Highlights:
- Join an inpatient team of 8 primarily surgical APPs and 7 medical APPs assisting a busy and growing practice of six surgeons.
- Desirable rotating on-call schedule, typically 1:8 to 1:9 weeknights and weekends.
- No in-house overnight call requirement.
- APPs are scheduled 8 shifts per 2 week pay period.
- We strive for work/life balance and a four shifts per week schedule.
- APP will be responsible for providing expert comprehensive health assessment, evaluation, planning, and administration of quality patient care under the direction of our physicians within the Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery Department.
- APP will practice in collaboration with and at the direction of the surgeon(s) during the intraoperative phase of the perioperative experience.
Requirements:
- PA-C or AGACNP
- APP will ideally have 2+ years of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery first assisting experience, and Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting experience, (Zimmer-Venapax and Getinge-Hemopro 2 are available).
- Current NCCPA Certification for PAs or ANCC certification for APRNs.
- Active or be eligible for licensure by the State of Florida (Department of Health/Nursing, Medical Quality Assurance section).
- BLS and ACLS certification
- Case/Procedure Logs for credentialing.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive Salary
- No contract or non-compete clause – candidates only sign offer letters.
- Full array of benefits offered including health, dental, vision, long term disability, PTO, 403B Retirement Plan, and much more.
- As an employee of a public, State of Florida organization, APPs are entitled to sovereign immunity.
- We are a Nonprofit 501(c)(3). APPs can participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if employed by the group.
- No state tax in Florida.
The Physician Assistant (PA) reflects the mission, vision, and values of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and other regulatory and accreditation standards. The PA IV CVOR is highly specialized in cardiac and thoracic operating room (CVOR) surgical procedures. Serves as surgical first assistant on CVOR cases and procedures (endoscopic vessel harvesting, chest closure, chest tube, line placement, DaVinci robotic platforms, etc.). Typically works in multidisciplinary settings and units managing patient care, including operating room and cardiovascular intensive care. Completes surgical consultations and follows up on pre-and postoperative testing and orders. A PA is a graduate with a master's degree or certificate from an accredited physician assistant program at an accredited school or college. The PA functions as part of the multidisciplinary health team in accordance with privileges approved by the credentialing committee to provide high-quality, cost-effective advanced care to patients. The PA is licensed by the Florida Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine to perform medical services delegated by the supervising physician(s).
Required Qualifications
- Require current certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).- Require bachelor degree from accredited physician assistant training program.- Require minimum of one (1) year experience or post graduate APP resident in cardiovascular/ cardiothoracic surgery.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefer effective interaction skills to ensure the successful care of patients in the clinical setting.- Prefer ability to work independently, collaboratively and effectively with physicians and other allied health personnel in the hospital and/or office setting.- Prefer demonstrated clinical competency skills.- Prefer demonstrated knowledge of pharmacology as it relates to health care practice and current prescription writing skills/DEA licensing.- Prefer demonstrated skills in documentation in medical records to substantiate accurate billing.- Prefer demonstrated effective written and verbal communication, strong analytical skills, leadership and interpersonal skills.- Prefer knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations.- Prefer knowledge of state, federal and local health care agencies and programs.
Mandatory Education
BD: Bachelor Degree
Preferred Education
M D: Masters Degree
Required License and Certs
ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life SupportBLS: Basic Life Support/CPRPA: Physician Assistant
Preferred License and Certs
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Frequently asked questions
Tampa’s healthcare sector offers competitive opportunities for Internal Medicine Physician Assistants due to its growing population and medical facilities like First Physicians Group. Compared to other cities, Tampa benefits from no state income tax and a collaborative work culture, making it attractive for advanced practice providers seeking balanced professional growth.
Internal Medicine Physicians working alongside cardiovascular-thoracic surgery teams often navigate complex perioperative care coordination, ensuring patient stability pre- and post-surgery. Mastering interdisciplinary communication and understanding surgical protocols are critical for optimizing patient outcomes in such high-stakes environments.
At First Physicians Group, Internal Medicine Physician Assistants benefit from structured rotating schedules, exposure to advanced surgical techniques, and participation in a multidisciplinary team. The organization values continuous learning, offering access to cutting-edge cardiovascular-thoracic programs that enhance clinical expertise and professional advancement.
PA-Cs at First Physicians Group frequently manage comprehensive health assessments, assist in intricate cardiac and thoracic surgeries, and oversee postoperative care. Their role extends to intraoperative collaboration using robotic platforms and endoscopic vessel harvesting, demanding acute clinical judgment in fast-paced surgical settings.
Securing NCCPA certification for PA-Cs and maintaining ACLS and BLS credentials are imperative. Additionally, eligibility or active licensure by Florida’s Department of Health is mandatory, ensuring compliance with state regulations while supporting high standards in cardiovascular surgical patient care.
Tampa’s market for Internal Medicine Physician Assistants is moderately competitive, especially within esteemed nonprofit groups like First Physicians Group. Candidates with specialized cardiovascular-thoracic experience and strong certifications stand out amidst growing demand for advanced practice providers in the region’s expanding healthcare infrastructure.
In Tampa, Internal Medicine Physician Assistants typically earn between $105,000 and $130,000 annually. This range aligns with the specialized skills required for cardiovascular-thoracic surgery assistance and reflects the cost of living, demand for expertise, and comprehensive benefits common in Florida’s healthcare sector.
First Physicians Group offers a unique blend of competitive pay, absence of restrictive contracts, and a commitment to work-life balance through manageable shift schedules. Their affiliation with Sarasota Memorial’s nationally ranked cardiovascular program provides unparalleled clinical exposure and professional support.
This role is distinguished by its focus on cardiovascular-thoracic surgery first assisting, access to advanced robotic surgical platforms, and integration within a high-volume, multidisciplinary team. Unlike typical internal medicine PA roles, it emphasizes surgical collaboration and specialized procedural expertise.
The 60-minute commute from Tampa to Sarasota Memorial is manageable and often offset by the organization's flexible scheduling and strong community culture. Many PAs appreciate the balance between professional opportunities in Sarasota and the residential amenities available in Tampa, contributing positively to work-life satisfaction.