Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

At Avant First Assistants, LLC , we're dedicated to providing exceptional support to orthopedic surgeons and enhancing patient outcomes with our team of skilled professionals. As an Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant , you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring precise and efficient surgical procedures. You’ll work closely with surgeons and the surgical team, contributing directly to patient safety and surgical excellence. Our culture is grounded in professionalism, clinical expertise, and a shared commitment to outstanding patient care.

Join a team that values continuous learning and professional development . We offer a collaborative and inclusive environment where respect and diversity are paramount. At Avant, your dedication and expertise will be recognized and supported, offering you opportunities for long-term growth and innovation. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact in healthcare and want to be part of a trusted and dynamic team, we invite you to bring your skills and commitment to Avant First Assistants. Compensation:

$90,000

Responsibilities: Preoperative Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the surgical and perioperative team to confirm that required preoperative documentation, surgical consents, imaging, and case-specific requirements are complete in accordance with hospital policies and established protocols.

• Verify that all necessary orthopedic instruments, implants, supplies, power equipment, positioning devices, and specialty equipment are available, properly prepared, functional, and ready for use.

• Confirm availability of appropriate implant systems, prosthetic components, fixation devices, and surgeon-specific instrumentation required for the planned procedure.

• Participate in preoperative briefings and surgical time-outs to review the planned procedure, patient-specific considerations, positioning, required equipment, implants, and anticipated intraoperative needs.

• Anticipate the surgeon’s procedural requirements and proactively prepare for potential variations, implant needs, equipment requirements, or intraoperative challenges during the case.

Intraoperative Responsibilities

• Assist with patient positioning, surgical site preparation, and sterile draping , ensuring appropriate alignment, pressure-point protection, and adherence to patient-safety, infection-prevention, and procedural standards.

• Provide advanced first-assisting support to orthopedic surgeons throughout operative procedures, consistent with applicable licensure, hospital privileges, surgeon direction, and institutional policies.

• Assist with surgical exposure, tissue handling, retraction, dissection, hemostasis, bone and soft-tissue preparation, suturing, and wound closure , as appropriate to the procedure.

• Provide effective exposure and retraction while protecting surrounding neurovascular structures, soft tissues, and other critical anatomy.

• Assist with orthopedic procedures involving joint replacement, fracture fixation, trauma, sports medicine, and other orthopedic surgical interventions , based on demonstrated competency and assigned responsibilities.

• Assist with the appropriate use of orthopedic implants, prosthetic components, plates, screws, fixation systems, power equipment, and specialty instrumentation according to surgeon direction and procedural requirements.

• Support robotic-assisted and technology-enabled orthopedic procedures , including appropriate preparation and utilization of specialized instrumentation and equipment.

• Demonstrate exceptional anticipation of the surgeon’s needs , maintaining awareness of procedural progression and responding proactively to changing intra-operative conditions.

• Maintain strict adherence to sterile technique, aseptic practices, infection-prevention protocols, and operating-room safety standards throughout the procedure.

• Work collaboratively with orthopedic surgeons, anesthesia providers, nurses, surgical technologists, implant representatives, hospital personnel, and fellow Surgical Assistants to promote efficient and coordinated surgical care.

• Remain calm, focused, adaptable, and clinically effective during complex procedures, unexpected intraoperative events, and emergency situations.

• Assist with final hemostasis, irrigation, layered surgical closure, dressing application, and other procedure-specific tasks as directed and within the Surgical Assistant’s authorized scope.

Postoperative Responsibilities

• Assist with the application of splints, braces, immobilization devices, and other postoperative orthopedic supports , when appropriate and authorized.

• Assist the perioperative team with the safe transfer and positioning of the patient following completion of the procedure, maintaining appropriate protection of the operative extremity or surgical site.

• Complete required operative and procedural documentation accurately and promptly in accordance with hospital, regulatory, and organizational requirements.

• Participate in postoperative debriefings and communicate relevant procedural information to support continuity of care, quality improvement, and patient safety.

• Ensure that instruments, implants, equipment, and specialty items requiring follow-up are appropriately communicated to the perioperative team.

Orthopedic Procedure Experience

Candidates should demonstrate substantial first-assisting experience with orthopedic procedures, including:

• Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) / Total Knee Replacement

• MAKO Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty

• Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) / Total Hip Replacement

• Hip Hemiarthroplasty

• Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) of Hip and Femur Fractures

• Distal Radius ORIF

• Radial Shaft ORIF

• Ankle ORIF

• Tibial and Fibular Fracture Fixation

• Intramedullary Nailing of Long-Bone Fractures

• Shoulder Arthroscopy and Rotator Cuff Repair

• Knee Arthroscopy and Ligament/Meniscal Procedures

• Other orthopedic trauma, joint reconstruction, and sports medicine procedures , as applicable

Expected Technical Competencies

Qualified candidates should demonstrate proficiency, as permitted by applicable licensure, credentialing, hospital privileges, and surgeon direction, in:

• Advanced surgical exposure, retraction, tissue handling, and protection of critical anatomical structures

• Orthopedic patient positioning , including appropriate use of specialized positioning equipment and attention to patient safety

• Assisting with bone preparation, fracture reduction, alignment, and stabilization

• Assisting with placement and utilization of orthopedic implants, prostheses, plates, screws, rods, nails, and fixation devices

• Appropriate use and handling of orthopedic power equipment, drills, saws, reamers, and specialty instrumentation

• Assisting with trialing, sizing, alignment, and placement of components during joint-replacement procedures

• Supporting robotic-assisted orthopedic procedures , including MAKO robotic-assisted joint replacement

• Assisting with fluoroscopy-guided orthopedic procedures while maintaining appropriate sterile technique and operative workflow

• Advanced suturing, knot tying, hemostasis, layered closure, and skin closure techniques

• Appropriate application of surgical dressings, splints, braces, and immobilization devices , when authorized

• Recognition and anticipation of the procedural steps required during complex orthopedic, arthroplasty, trauma, and fracture-fixation cases

• Efficient management and organization of orthopedic instrumentation, implants, and procedure-specific equipment

• Ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in implant selection, surgical approach, fixation strategy, or intraoperative findings

Above all, the Orthopedic Surgical Assistant is expected to demonstrate clinical excellence, technical proficiency, anticipation, confidence, efficiency, professionalism, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to patient safety throughout every phase of surgical care.

Qualifications:

• Must possess a current Surgical Assistant License issued by the Texas Medical Board , as required for practice in Texas.
• Must maintain current certification through a recognized surgical assisting credentialing organization , such as the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) , the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) , National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) as applicable.
• Must maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification . Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification is preferred. Certification must be issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or another accepted provider.
• Minimum of two (2) years of hands-on orthopedic surgical first-assisting experience in an acute-care hospital, hospital operating room, ambulatory surgery center, or comparable surgical environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in orthopedic procedures, including Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), MAKO robotic-assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty, Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), Distal Radius ORIF, and Radial Shaft ORIF .
• Strong knowledge of orthopedic anatomy, surgical techniques, instrumentation, implants, sterile technique, medical terminology, and perioperative patient-safety standards .
• Demonstrated proficiency in surgical exposure, retraction, tissue handling, hemostasis, suturing, wound closure, and other first-assisting techniques appropriate to orthopedic procedures.
• Must demonstrate excellent anticipation, technical proficiency, attention to detail, organization, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities in a fast-paced surgical environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, teamwork, and customer-service skills , with the ability to work effectively and professionally with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nurses, surgical technologists, hospital personnel, patients, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Must demonstrate the ability to remain calm, confident, professional, and effective under pressure , including during complex procedures and unexpected intraoperative situations.
• Must possess basic computer and technology proficiency necessary to complete required documentation, communication, scheduling, training, and other administrative responsibilities.
• Foreign-trained physicians (MDs) must provide documentation of successful completion of the TOEFL examination, when applicable .
• High school diploma or equivalent required ; completion of an accredited surgical assisting, medical, or other qualifying healthcare education program consistent with Texas licensure and credentialing requirements is preferred.

About Company

Avant First Assistants LLC, established in 2012, has been delivering exceptional surgical support to surgeons, hospitals, and surgery centers. As a growing organization, we are seeking dedicated professionals who are goal-oriented and passionate about making a meaningful impact through outstanding service. We currently hold hospital contracts in Sugar Land, Cypress, and partner with several surgery centers across the Greater Houston area. If you share our commitment to excellence, we invite you to join our team and contribute to our mission of providing top-tier surgical assistance.