First Assist

First Assist Opportunity

Do you have the career opportunities as a First Assist you want with your current employer? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join Methodist Hospital Metropolitan which is part of the nation's leading provider of healthcare services, HCA Healthcare.

Our teams are a committed, caring group of colleagues. Do you want to work as a First Assist where your passion for creating positive patient interactions is valued? If you are dedicated to caring for the well-being of others, this could be your next opportunity. We want your knowledge and expertise!

The Surgical First Assistant works as a member of the perioperative team under the direction of the surgeon. He/she performs responsibilities of both the Surgical Technologist and the Surgical First Assistant based on department needs and as directed by the unit director or designee. The Surgical First Assistant practices within the scope of the job description and performs clinical and technical skills under surgeon supervision to assist with carrying out a safe operation with optimal patient results. This is done in collaboration with the circulating RN and other perioperative/OB team members. The Surgical First Assistant is educated and skilled in both the use of surgical instruments on tissues and the handling of instruments; however, the surgical first assistant does not concurrently function as the scrub nurse.

Minimum Education, Experience, Training, Required Knowledge, Skill, Abilities and Other Job-Related Characteristics:

1. Education: Must have completed ALL of the following:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Successful completion of an accredited surgical first assistant training program.
• Meets ONE of the following:
• Graduate/completion of CAAHEP Surgical First Assistant, Surgical Assistant Program, Medical School Graduate OR an allied health professional with 2250 hours of surgical rotation.
• Practiced as a surgical technologist prior to 9/1/2009

2. Experience: New hires as of 3/29/2011- 2 years experience in the perioperative setting within the last 4 years in either a surgical technologist or surgical first assistant role.

3. Employee completes initial and ongoing training and competencies as defined by service line, facility and department/unit which are specific to the needs of the patient population served (if applicable).

4. Minimum License, Certificates, or Registrations Required:

Must have and maintain ONE of the following:

• A. Surgical Technologist Certification
• CST – Certified Surgical Technologist through the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) (formally the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist) OR
• TS-C- Tech in Surgery, Certified through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• B. Surgical First Assistant certification
• SA-C – Surgical Assistant, Certified through the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)
• CSA – Certified Surgical Assistant through the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA)
• CSFA (formally CFA) – Certified Surgical First Assistant through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
• C. LSA- Licensed Surgical Assistant through the Texas Medical Board

Additional Job Functions

• May handle, pick up, deliver and/or stock non-controlled medications as directed by a licensed team member.
• Acts as a preceptor to help with the education of other Surgical First Assistants.
• Maintains appropriate knowledge and training to use any equipment necessary for care of the patient and ensures it is in working order prior to use.
• Supports the mission and vision of the Methodist Healthcare System and demonstrates excellent customer service at all times.
• Understands and is committed to helping the Methodist Healthcare System and its associated facilities achieve its goals.
• Must learn and comply with System and facility safety policies and rules; must use appropriate safety equipment and procedures at all times; must immediately report all unsafe conditions to supervisors; must be familiar with all safety features of equipment, tools or materials encompassed by job duties; and must check with supervisors (prior to job performance) if there is a question as to the safe procedure to be used for any job function.
• Adheres to the MHS Code of Conduct and demonstrates ethical behavior as expected by our patients, colleagues and the community. Understands the personal obligation to report any activity that appears to violate applicable laws, rules regulations or the Code of Conduct itself.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Methodist Hospital Metropolitan houses 370 bed. We house the largest emergency room in downtown San Antonio. Our women's pavilion is the only freestanding, center city facility dedicated to the health of women and their newborn babies. We welcome nearly 3,000 newborns into the world each year. We are home to the Methodist Weight Loss Center. We have been designated an American Society for Metabolic Surgery Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence®.

Our hospital has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as a Best Place to Work in Healthcare. We are the first hospital in San Antonio to achieve Pathway to Excellence designation. Methodist Hospital Metropolitan has been recognized by Leapfrog for focus on safety and quality. We received a Grade A Hospital Safety Score for 8 consecutive rating periods. We are proud to be an Accredited Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology and Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. We were the premier Texas hospital to earn a Gold Seal of Approval for Sepsis Certification. Join our accredited team today.

"Bricks and mortar do not make a hospital. People do." - Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our First Assist opening. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Unlock the possibilities and apply today!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.