Located in Arlington, Virginia, VHC Health is a 548-bed, independent, not-for-profit health system and nationally recognized teaching hospital. We have proudly served the Washington, DC metropolitan community for more than 75 years. Consistently ranked among the top hospitals in Virginia and the region, VHC Health has earned recognition as a 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Employer and a 2025 Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. We also hold the prestigious Magnet® designation for nursing excellence. As a Level II Trauma Center, we are committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care when it matters most.
At VHC Health, you’re more than an employee, you’re part of a team that values collaboration, respect, and growth. You will work alongside highly skilled professionals in a supportive, forward-thinking environment. Your voice is heard, and your contributions make a real impact. With state-of-the-art facilities, expanding specialty services, and strong community partnerships, VHC Health offers the opportunity to build a meaningful, long-term career while making a difference in the lives of patients and the community we serve.
Job DescriptionPurpose & Scope:
The Cardiovascular Physician Assistant, First Assist (CV PA FA) is a highly skilled clinician who has received didactic and clinical training to function in the peri-operative environment, including, intra-operative first assisting. In the absence of a doctor, the CV PA FA exercises autonomy in medical decision-making. All PAs work under the ultimate supervision of a licensed physician, who is responsible for all decisions made regarding patient care.
Education:
- Graduation from a physician assisting program is required.
Experience:
- Two years of clinical experience is required.
- One year as a Cardiovascular First Assist is required.
- One year as a Physician Assistant is preferred.
Certification/Licensure:
- Licensed as a Physician Assistant by the Virginia Department of Health Professions required.
- Certification through NCCPA-Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery is preferred.
- ACLS certification required.
At VHC Health, every role contributes to exceptional care, better outcomes, and stronger communities. In addition to your base compensation, VHC Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to eligibility requirements), as well as additional wellness and retirement benefits designed to support our employees and their families. VHC Health is committed to wage transparency and equitable pay practices. The compensation offered for this position—whether expressed as an annual salary or hourly rate—is determined based on a variety of legitimate, non-discriminatory factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, a candidate’s qualifications, relevant training and experience, skill level, shift differentials (where applicable), internal equity, and current market conditions. The posted hiring range reflects the range VHC Health, in good faith, believes is appropriate for this role at the time of posting. This range may be adjusted in the future based on business needs or market changes. No portion of compensation is considered earned until it is vested and determined in accordance with the terms of applicable policies and benefit plans. The availability and amount of any bonuses, incentives, or other benefits are subject to the terms of those plans and may be modified at the sole discretion of VHC Health, in accordance with applicable law. VHC Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law. VHC Health maintains a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited at all VHC Health locations.
Skills Required
- Graduation from a physician assistant program
- Two years of clinical experience
- One year of cardiovascular first-assist experience
- One year of physician assistant experience
- Physician Assistant license through the Virginia Department of Health Professions
- NCCPA certification in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
- ACLS certification
VHC Health Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about VHC Health and has not been reviewed or approved by VHC Health.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical plan options span a PPO, a High Deductible plan, and a Kaiser HMO with early eligibility, complemented by EAP, wellness programs, and in‑system discounts. Feedback suggests these choices deliver solid coverage value when used with in‑network care.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO and paid holidays are positioned as generous, with structures that include combined PTO and in some cases a separate sick bank. Feedback suggests time‑off policies meaningfully bolster total compensation.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with employer match and other financial benefits (HSA/FSA, commuter benefits) are emphasized as part of the package. Feedback suggests the match contributes notably to perceived total rewards.
VHC Health Insights
What We Do
VHC Health provides exceptional medical services as the region’s community health system. Virginia Hospital Center was recently designated a 2021 Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, selected for the Healthgrades 2021 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ and has received 19 consecutive ‘A’ grades from The Leapfrog Group. Virginia Hospital Center is a 453-bed not-for-profit teaching facility and designated as a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Join the VHC Health team: https://www.vhchealth.org/careers/ If you have questions, please contact our recruitment team at: 703.558.8109 or [email protected]. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Life At VHC Health: - https://www.facebook.com/LifeatVHCHealth - https://twitter.com/LifeatVHCHealth - https://www.instagram.com/lifeatvhchealth








