HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is recruiting a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) to join a well-established, clinician-led anesthesia care team on Florida's Emerald Coast. This 267-bed Level II Trauma Center operates 12 ORs and carries one of the broadest case mixes available in a community hospital setting — from open heart surgery and cardiothoracic cases to robotics, neuro, orthospine, and OB. The compensation package has been newly elevated to top market rates, with a start-date bonus of up to $150,000, and the PTO structure — up to 10 weeks annually — is the strongest in the region. Fort Walton Beach offers powdery white beaches, no state income tax, and a family-friendly lifestyle that makes this one of the most livable coastal markets in the Southeast.
Perks and Benefits
- Start-date bonus up to $150,000
- Newly increased base compensation package, positioned at the top of regional market rates as of November 2024
- Relocation assistance provided
- Florida licensure assistance included
- Best PTO package in the region — up to 10 weeks off annually
- CME stipend and dedicated CME time
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid professional liability insurance with tail coverage
Practice Highlights
- Anesthesia care team of 9 physicians and 25 APPs — a large, collaborative group with strong peer support
- 12 operating rooms across a 267-bed Level II Trauma Center
- Exceptional case variety: Vascular, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Trauma, Cystoscopy, ENT, Neurosurgery, Orthospine, General Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Cardiothoracic (open heart, valves), Thoracic (lungs), OB (non-high-risk), GI, Electrophysiology, MRI, CT, Cath Lab, Bronchoscopy Lab, Plastics, Pediatric Day Surgery, and Podiatry
- Flexible shift scheduling: 8-hour, 10-hour, and 12-hour shift options available; waitlist option for 24-hour shifts
- Only acute care hospital in the Tri-County area offering open heart surgery
- Designated Advanced Primary Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center
- Cancer Care Center affiliated with the UAB Cancer Care Network
- Clinician-led group culture with emphasis on work-life balance and professional development
Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant program
- Certification by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) required
- Active Florida CAA license or eligibility to obtain (licensure assistance provided)
- Minimum of two years of clinical anesthesia experience required
- Comfort with a high-acuity, broad case mix including cardiothoracic, trauma, neuro, and robotic procedures
About the Community
Fort Walton Beach sits on Florida's Emerald Coast — named for its signature crystal-clear, emerald-green Gulf waters and sugar-white sand beaches — just 10 minutes from Destin, one of the most sought-after beach destinations in the country. The area offers top-rated public schools (including those in nearby Niceville), year-round outdoor recreation spanning Gulf Islands National Seashore, golf courses, boating, and water sports, plus a vibrant entertainment district with dining, shopping, and cultural events like the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival. Florida's zero state income tax and homestead exemptions add meaningful financial upside, and the proximity to Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field anchors a stable, diverse local economy — making this a community where physicians genuinely put down roots.