Job Description:

• Facilitate the delivery of nursing care to patients in compliance with hospital and nursing service policies and AORN Standards of Care/Practice.
• Performs operative duties and assistance under the direct supervision of the surgeon.
• Functions primarily as a first or second assistant during cardiovascular and thoracic operative procedures. Participates as first or second assistant in other surgical specialties as requested.
• Participates in patient education and assists with patient transportation activities as required.
• Reviews preoperative patient data with each surgeon.
• Assists in setting up and cleaning surgical suite, as necessary, to be certain all supplies, equipment, and instruments are available
• Maintains knowledge of operative trends and advances in surgical technologies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Graduate of an approved physician assistant program OR
• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Assistant program OR
• Completion of the Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) course.

Certifications:

• BLS from AHA required, ACLS preferred.
• Prefer Certification for First Assisting per regulatory body.

Complexity of Work:

• Within scope of job, requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Maintains competencies specific to patient population served.
• Knowledge of physiological and anatomical aspects of surgical procedures to include surgical competency in vein harvesting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of one year of operating room experience
• To substitute for formal training as Surgical Assistant or Registered Nurse First Assist, must have at least three years recent experience in first assisting with cardiovascular and cardiothoracic procedures.
• Endoscopic vein harvesting experience preferred.
• Completion of military surgical assistant program will meet the requirements of an accredited Surgical Assistant training program.

Physical Requirements:

• Have exceptional dexterity and quick response ability.
• Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patient, manual and ginger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.
• Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time.
• Requires working under stressful conditions and irregular hours.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and/or body fluids.
• Able to safely transport patients on stretchers to bed using good body mechanics.
• Works extended hours, as necessary.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows Standard Precautions using personal protective equipment as required.