Responsibilities
- Physician Assistant – Thoracic Surgery
- Service Line: Thoracic Surgery
- Service Provided To: Thoracic Surgery Physician
- Location: Catholic Health
- Schedule: Full-Time
- Position Overview
About Dr. Laurence N. Spier, MD
Dr. Spier is an experienced, board-certified thoracic and cardiothoracic surgeon with extensive expertise in minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery. His background includes cardiothoracic surgery fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and general surgery residency at North Shore University Hospital.
His clinical philosophy is centered on compassionate, individualized patient care, clinical excellence, and teamwork. He believes in caring for the whole patient—both physically and emotionally—and is committed to combining advanced surgical techniques with thoughtful, personalized care. His work has included research and clinical advancement in robotic and minimally invasive thoracic surgery
This opportunity is ideal for a PA who is passionate about thoracic surgery and believes that excellent clinical care extends beyond treating a condition—it means caring for the whole patient, both physically and emotionally.
The thoracic surgery practice is grounded in a commitment to compassionate, individualized care, strong teamwork, clinical excellence, and helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes while returning to their normal lives as quickly and safely as possible.
The practice has a strong focus on minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery, including procedures such as lung resection, lobectomy, and segmentectomy. The PA will work closely with the thoracic surgeon and a multidisciplinary team to provide coordinated, high-quality patient care.
Our Clinical Philosophy
We believe that the best patient care begins with compassion, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to helping others. Every patient deserves individualized attention and care that addresses both their physical and emotional needs.
The thoracic surgery service is committed to maintaining the highest standards of clinical and technical excellence while continually advancing surgical knowledge and skills. Our goal is to provide comprehensive surgical care using appropriate minimally invasive and robotic techniques whenever possible, with a focus on excellent outcomes and helping patients return to their normal activities as quickly and safely as possible.
The Physician Assistant will be an integral member of the surgical team, working closely with the thoracic surgeon throughout the patient's surgical journey and developing advanced clinical and technical expertise in thoracic surgery.
Key Responsibilities
- Clinical & Surgical Care
- Provide comprehensive preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative care for patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures.
- Obtain detailed medical histories and perform physical examinations.
- Review diagnostic studies and assist with the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans.
- Serve as first or second surgical assistant during open, minimally invasive, VATS, and robotic-assisted thoracic procedures.
- Participate in robotic thoracic surgical procedures, as appropriate to training and credentialing.
- Assist with procedures including lung resection, lobectomy, segmentectomy, and other thoracic surgical procedures.
- Coordinate preoperative evaluations, including laboratory testing, imaging, specialty consultations, and medical optimization.
- Participate in inpatient rounds and assist with the ongoing management of postoperative patients.
- Manage postoperative needs, including chest tubes, drains, wounds, medications, and other routine surgical care within the PA's scope of practice.
- Provide outpatient preoperative and postoperative follow-up care.
- Monitor patient progress and communicate changes in clinical status to the surgical team.
- Provide patients and families with education regarding surgical procedures, recovery, medications, activity restrictions, and follow-up care.
- Facilitate communication and continuity of care between the surgical team, patients, families, and other healthcare providers.
- Collaboration & Patient Care
- Work closely with the thoracic surgeon, nursing staff, anesthesiology, pulmonology, radiology, and other healthcare professionals involved in patient care.
- Participate in multidisciplinary case discussions as appropriate.
- Assist with coordination of diagnostic evaluations and treatment plans.
- Promote seamless transitions between preoperative, inpatient, surgical, and outpatient care.
- Serve as a consistent clinical resource for patients throughout the surgical process.
- Quality, Education & Professional Development
- Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, clinical outcomes, and evidence-based practice initiatives.
- Support education and mentorship of APPs, nurses, students, and other healthcare professionals as appropriate.
- Maintain current knowledge and technical skills related to thoracic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and robotic surgical techniques.
- Participate in continuing education and professional development activities.
- Documentation & Administrative Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation in the electronic medical record.
- Ensure compliance with Catholic Health policies, regulatory requirements, scope-of-practice standards, and applicable payer requirements.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
- Current NCCPA certification.
- Current New York State Physician Assistant license and applicable registrations.
- Thoracic or cardiothoracic surgical experience strongly preferred.
- Surgical experience preferred.
- Demonstrated first-assist experience and appropriate surgical credentialing.
- Robotic and/or minimally invasive surgical experience highly preferred.
- Current BLS and ACLS certification.
- Excellent clinical assessment, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative surgical environment.
- Strong commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.
- Demonstrated interest in developing advanced clinical and technical expertise in thoracic surgery.
