Surgical Assistant Full-Time Days

Kindred Hospital The Palm Beaches and Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) is a 68-bed specialty hospital.  With 57 long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) beds, we offer the same in-depth care you would receive in a traditional hospital, but for an extended recovery period.  Our 11-bed ARU is designed for people who have experienced the debilitating effects of an acute injury, impairment, or illness and like the LTACH, we partner with your physician and offer 24-hour clinical care seven days a week so you can start your journey to wellness.  We are located just North of downtown West Palm Beach and about four miles inland from Riviera Beach.

Job Summary

Duties are performed under the close supervision of Registered Nurses and Physicians who are immediately available to provide direction and control. Provides surgeons with the appropriate sterile surgical instruments and supplies throughout the course of surgery. Sets up and strips down the surgical area prior to and after surgery under the guidance of a Circulating Nurse.

Essential Functions

• Maintain appropriate sterile fields by preparing instruments, supplies, and equipment needed for each surgical procedure
• Ensure cleanliness of the surgical suite, and that appropriate equipment is available and functional
• During a variety of surgical procedures, handing sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon while maintaining aseptic technique
• Keeps tally of amounts of solution used to irrigate the surgical incision so the amount can be subtracted from total fluid to determine patient blood loss
• Correctly identifies blood, solutions, drugs drainage tubes and appliances ordered for the patient by the surgeon or anesthetist
• Verifies sponge and needle count with the circulation nurse before surgery, before closure and after closure to ensure that none were left inside the patient
• Sets up area prior to surgery by providing correct equipment, instruments, packs and supplies for the kind of procedure to be done
• Assures that all monitoring and support equipment such as cardiac monitors, scopes, breathing apparatus, etc. are set up and operable
• Prepares patient for surgery by washing or saving the operative area
• Places patients in prescribed body positions to assure access to the operative area
• Strips down area by washing walls, floors and equipment with antiseptic solution and disposing of waste and soiled supplies
• Transport patients to recovery area
• Assist the RN in maintaining proper documentation of patient care records and report pertinent information
• Provide care of patients as directed by the RN and provide input for nursing care plans in accordance with the surgical procedure
• Ensure maximum compliance with established aseptic procedures by members of the surgical team
• Comply with established personal protective equipment requirements necessary for protection against exposure to blood and other potentially infectious body fluids, chemicals, disinfectants, radiation, asbestos, and other hazardous substances

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
• Must read, write and speak fluent English
• Must have good and regular attendance
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Successful completion of surgical technical training or equivalent preferred

Licenses/Certifications

• None required

Experience

• 12 months of acute care experience