Surgical First Assistant

The Surgical Assistant will function as a first assistant during surgical incision, excision, repair of pathology, and wound closure throughout the perioperative period on procedures for which privileges have been granted.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate from an accredited surgical assistant program or certification from an accredited Board
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Expert Knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique
• Certification from an accredited surgical first assistant program

Essential Functions:

• Maintains Patient privacy and confidentiality.

• Acts as a patient advocate

• Participates in preoperative assessment and planning for selected surgical patients in collaboration with peri-operative team members.

• Adheres to the Universal Protocol Policy by completing and participates in surgical time outs.

• Assists the Surgeon during the operative procedure:

• Visualization of the operative site:

• Provides the surgeon exposure through appropriate placement and securing of instruments and retractors

• Packing with sponges

• Digital manipulation of tissue

• Suctioning, irrigating, or sponging

• Manipulation of suture materials (i.e. loops, tags, running sutures)

• Proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstructing the surgeon’s view

• Utilize appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis:

• Clamping or cauterizing vessels or tissue

• Tying/ligating clamped vessels or tissue

• Applying hemostatic clips

• Placing local hemostatic agents

• Applying vessel loops

• Applying non-crushing clamps

• Applying direct digital pressure

• Utilize appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes:

  • Utilizing running or interrupted sutures with absorbable or non-absorbable material of wound layers, including muscle and fascia

  • Utilizing subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin-closure strips

  • Closing skin with method per surgeon’s directive (suture, staples)

  • Post operative subcutaneous injection of local anesthetic per surgeon’s directive

  • Assist with securing drainage system to tissue

• Selecting and applying wound dressings:

  • Liquid or spray occlusive materials

  • Absorbent material affixed with tape or circumferential wrapping

  • Immobilizing dressing (soft or rigid)

Adheres to infection control standards of practice to protect the patient from surgical site infection. Protects the patient from injury caused by improper positioning, chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, thermal sources, and extraneous objects.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit, converse, and listen; use hands to touch, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must be able to lift and/or carry over 20 pounds on a regular basis and be able to push/pull over 25 pounds on a regular basis.

The employee must be able to stand and/or walk at least five hours per day.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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