MultiCare Health System logo
MultiCare Health System
Tacoma, Washington

Cardiothoracic Surgery - Physician Assistant

Physician AssistantIncludes callNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$137K–$183K

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

Ask the employer about the work setting and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

About Pulse Heart Institute

MultiCare’s Pulse Heart Institute is a physician led institute with multi-specialty partnership with Cardiothoracic surgery, vascular and cardiovascular service lines. Our team and state-of-the-art programs create a world-class health care organization and the destination center for cardiac, thoracic, and vascular care with complex structural heart disease and interventions, advanced heart failure service as well as advanced imaging with cutting edge technologies.

Join a team of Six APP's and six surgeons. Working as first-assist in the OR and inpatient responsibilities (ICU and step-down coverage). This is a very busy service (500 annual pump cases + MCS program + robotic thoracic) and we are looking for someone experienced with first-assist, ideally in CT Surgery.

FTE: 1.0, Shift: Day, Schedule: Monday-Friday

Base Compensation Range: $136,961.00 - 183,447.00 with additional eligibility for a lucrative performance bonus and supplemental call pay. Additional incentive and clinical compensation beyond the base salary may result in total annual earnings exceeding $200,000.00.

What We Have to Offer

  • Competitive compensation: Attractive salary with potential sign-on and relocation.
  • Top-tier benefits: Medical, dental, CME, retirement plans, and malpractice insurance (including tail).
  • Generous time off: Ample time to recharge and maintain work/life balance.
  • Career growth: Student loan repayment, leadership training, and advancement opportunities.
  • Research opportunities: Engage in impactful, industry-sponsored clinical trials and investigator-initiated research, collaborating closely with our dedicated Research Institute team.
  • Innovation Lab: Partner with our medical device incubator to develop cutting-edge healthcare solutions.
  • Wellness support: Access to mental health services and wellness coaching.
  • Pacific Northwest lifestyle: Enjoy stunning views and outdoor adventures in a vibrant community.
  • For more information, please contact Carla Voss at carla.voss@multicare.org

Position Summary

MultiCare Health System is seeking a CT Surgery Physician Assistant to join our well-established, thriving and comprehensive practice. Providers at MultiCare are recognized as being among the best in the Northwest Region. Here, you’ll find everything you need to excel in your job including outstanding facilities, comprehensive resources and talented teammates in partnering for healing and a healthy future.

Requirements

  • Washington State Physician Assistant license by the time of employment
  • DEA, NPI & prescriptive authority
  • Current BLS for Healthcare Providers certification by the American Heart Association

Why Pulse Heart Institute?

Physician-led Care

Led by physicians and advanced practice providers who understand patient needs firsthand, ensuring decisions are grounded in clinical expertise and collaboration.

Proven Excellence

Pulse units across MultiCare earned the 2025 Chest Pain – MI Registry™ Platinum Performance Achievement Award — the only facilities in Washington to receive this distinction.

Comprehensive Cardiovascular Care

A fully integrated model across cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and vascular services, supporting the full continuum of care.

People-first Culture

We invest in our teams through professional development, supportive leadership and an environment where caregivers can learn, grow and succeed.

Well-being and Support

Resources and programs designed to help you maintain balance and feel supported in your work and life.

Pacific Northwest Lifestyle

Work and live where natural beauty, adventure and strong community connections are part of everyday life.

Pay and Benefit Expectations

Associated benefit information can be viewed here.

Key Responsibilities

The Physician Assistant will serve as a first-assist in the operating room and manage inpatient responsibilities, including ICU and step-down unit coverage. They will collaborate with a team of surgeons and APPs to provide comprehensive care for cardiac, thoracic, and vascular patients.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
5+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

ICU coverageRobotic thoracic surgeryPatient careClinical collaborationSurgical assistance

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Cardiothoracic Surgery - Physician Assistant at MultiCare Health System a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 10% in Surgery (PA) — ranked against 369 active Surgery (PA) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Surgery — Physician Assistant Career Context

Of the 47 active Surgery listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 81% have no call, 85% require no weekends.

Surgery pay on WeekdayDoc is up 4.6% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$160k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $150k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$160k midpoint, that is roughly $6k–$11k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Physician Assistant Jobs

33 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution33 jobs · 18 employers

12
<$140k
4
$140k-165k
10
$165k-190k
6
$190k-215k
1
$250k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks30 jobs · 18 employers

CME allowance
70% this job
Sign-on bonus
63% this job
401k / retirement match
63% this job
Relocation assistance
17% this job
Loan repayment
3% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Clinic Director - Physician Assistant (PA-C) or Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Ageless Mens Health · Reno, Nevada

$250k
#2

Physician Assistant- Dr. Fealy

Hospital for Special Surgery · New York, New York

$195k-$212k
#3

Advanced Practice Provider (ARNP / Nurse Practitioner or PA-C / Physician Assistant) - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery - Harborview

$134k-$210k
#4

APP (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant), Cardiac ICU/Flex ICU, (Flex-Cardiac Critical Care Services), Harborview Medical Center

$134k-$210k
+ 31 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.9this job 6.6
Among the best 10% of Surgery (PA) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 369 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights
  • Includes call

Living in Tacoma

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$488k≈ 3.6× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,740/mo≈ 15% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
29 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

MultiCare Health System logo

About MultiCare Health System

Hospitals and Health Care
Tacoma, WA
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Performance Bonus
Supplemental Call Pay
Sign-On Bonus
Relocation Assistance
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
CME Allowance
Retirement Plans