Licensed Surgical First Assistant

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team providing a safe environment for all age groups of surgical patients. Assists the proceduralist as directed with surgical care as personally supervised while physician is physically present in the room. Assists the perioperative nurse with patient care. Prepares and maintains supplies in the operating room (OR) while maintaining a professional and efficient manner, ensures that procedure preparations are based on individual patient and anticipates the needs of the surgeon.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Functions in the scrub role by preparing, organizing, and anticipating needed instruments, supplies, and equipment for safe patient care and operative procedure.

3. *Defines and practices aseptic technique and infection control principles as they apply to the Operating Room (OR).

4. *Safely and efficiently passes surgical instruments and supplies in the operating room (OR) and labor and delivery room (LDR); properly identifies, preserves and manages tissue and fluid specimens and cultures.

5. *Manages, supplies, instruments and equipment appropriately according to Medical Center procedure.

6. *Assists the nurse in perioperative care of the patient including transporting and positioning; counts/preps surgical instruments and supplies.

7. Participates in continuous quality improvement measures to achieve positive patient outcomes; provides patient care in accordance with patient's rights; participates and practices safety through active prevention and precautions; assures personal/visitor safety through measures of prevention and universal precautions.

8. *Participates in unit-based activities, staff meetings, and committees.

9. Performs other tasks during a surgical procedure delegated by and under the personal supervision of a physician appropriate to the level of competence of the surgical first assistant. Examples of such tasks include but are not limited to the following: assists with hemostasis by use of electrocautery, mono-and-bi-polar; clamp, ligate and cut tissue per surgeon direction; assists with closure of body planes, including the following, inserting running or interrupted subcutaneous sutures with absorbable or nonabsorbable material, utilize subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips, closes skin with method indicated by physician, including but not limited to, suture and staples. Applies appropriate wound dressings. Provides assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue. Prepares specimens, such as grafts.

10. May insert/remove bladder catheters as directed by Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) or Registered Nurse (RN).

11. Exchanges instruments via established trocars.

12. Injects postoperative subcutaneous local anesthetic agent per physician order.

13. Presents medications onto the sterile field as directed by the LIP and/or RN.

14. Advances work knowledge by participating in continuing education in-services, reading periodicals/literature and seeking ongoing development opportunities.

15. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of aseptic technique.

2. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

3. Knowledge of all types of OR procedures.

4. Knowledge of equipment, instruments, and supplies used in the OR.

5. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

6. Ability to react quickly and respond appropriately in emergency situations.

7. Ability to effectively interact with patient's family members, multi-disciplinary team members and students.

8. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

9. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

10. Ability to practice proper body mechanics to ensure personal and customer/patient safety.

11. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation/completion of an approved surgical first assistant education program approved by the board of medicine or other experiential or training program as approved by the board of medicine required. Current Surgical First Assistant licensure from the State of Nebraska required. Graduation from a Surgical Technology program required. Surgical Technology Certification desired. High School diploma or the equivalent required.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required. Bryan Health recognizes American Heart Association (for healthcare professionals), American Red Cross (for healthcare professionals) and the Military Training Network.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.