Certified Surgical First Assistant

Certified Surgical First AssistantAt Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.Occ SummaryThe Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) will support the continuity of care for Perioperative patients.The scope of practice includes preoperative patient care management, intraoperative surgical first assisting, and postoperative patient care management.The role will help expedite surgical productivity, support the education of surgical residents, 2nd assist where needed, and first assist the Surgeons when surgical Residents are not available.The CSFA will provide patient care for all ages and provide leadership and direction to the perioperative team where needed.The CSFA in surgery collaborates with the surgeon and the health care team in performing a safe operation with optimal outcomes for the patient.The CSFA practices in collaboration with and at the surgeon's direction during the intra-operative experience.Work PerformedThe Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) possesses and demonstrates competencies related to all aspects of perioperative care, including preoperative review of patient history and physical, preoperative tests results, and postoperative transfer of care and monitoring for complications.The CSFA serves as the first assistant in designated surgical procedures under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon/physician; handles all variety of tissue appropriately to reduce the potential for injury or compromised blood supply; uses surgical instruments properly, employs principles of safe tissue handling:Provides exposure to the operative siteProvides and maintains hemostasisPerforms wound closureDemonstrates advanced knowledge of normal and pathological anatomy and physiologySafely positions patients for the surgical procedure and assists with transport to and from the operative suiteAssists surgeon in identifying patient and staff safety hazardsSurgical prepping and draping of patients for the surgical procedureProvides exposure of the operative site by the appropriate use of retractorsManipulates equipment and instruments to enhance the visual fieldSuctions and sponges to maintain a dry surgical field resulting in an optimal visualization of the surgical fieldProvides counter-traction of tissue utilizing various instrumentsAssists with maintaining hemostasis to reduce potential for fluid volume deficits by clamping/ligating vessels, using electrocautery to tissue, applying manual direct pressure, assisting with use of pharmaceutical agents (e.g. topical thrombin) and other means as directed by the surgeon/physicianTies and cuts suturesSkillfully sutures all varieties of tissues/tissue planes with appropriate suture materials and suturing techniquesAssists in closure of wound or independently closes wound under the direction of the surgeonAssists and independently applies dressing and tape at the end of the surgical procedure using proper aseptic/sterile techniquesMaintains current knowledge of procedures performedThe Certified Surgical First Assistant may take a scrub role when not needed as a first assistant.Other Considerations:Scope of position does not include dissection down to the area to be repaired, replaced, etc., which is done by the surgeon.The CSFA may share a single surgical site with the surgeon being assisted and may not independently perform a procedure on an opposite site except subcutaneous tissue and skin closure.Placing a screw or manipulating a tool when manipulation and positioning of hardware must be held in such a specific position that the maneuver can only be accomplished by the orthopedic surgeon.All prosthetic placements, use of tools (drills, saws, etc.) and measurement to determine prosthetic size is performed by the orthopedic surgeon.The CSFA may prepare a tendon for grafting with the surgeon harvesting the tendon for grafting.Robotic CasesThe CSFA will follow the Guideline Statement for the Surgical Assistant in Robotic Surgery from the Association of Surgical Assistant (ASA) and maintain defined competencies.Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesCSFA must have sound clinical knowledge of technology and treatment applications; must also possess skills to educate/train staff and complies with AORN education standards for the CSFA; and a demonstrated knowledge of the surgeries in which the CSFA participates.Must have sound clinical OR skills (scrubbing) and have excellent interpersonal skills and organizational capability.Level CharacteristicsN/AMinimum QualificationsEducationGraduates from a CSA/CFA program from:Commission on Accreditation of allied health Education Programs (CAAHEP).American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)/SA-C,National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC) or CCI Institute/CRNFAAssociate of Science in Surgical Technology preferred.Experience3 years of experience as a Surgical Technologist.Degrees, Licensures, CertificationsCertified Surgical Technologist (CST)Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA)BLS certification from American Heart Association required