Surgical First Assistant

Surgical Assistant

The role of the surgical assistant is vital to the operating room and any surgical case within the operating suite. The surgical assistant provides immediate support to the surgeon and should act as a vital resource to the staff of the Operating Room suite. The surgical assistant should be knowledgeable, well rounded, helpful, and supportive of a team like attitude. The surgical assistant is a necessary source of knowledge and skills.

Essential Job Functions:

• Positioning the patient for surgery and aiding with draping
• Clearing the area where the surgeon will operate and holding open incisions by using tissue retractors, sponges, or operating suction or irrigation equipment
• Selecting and passing instruments and supplies during an operation
• Stopping bleeding by sponging, clamping, tying, or cauterizing vessels, or suturing tissue layers as directed by the surgeon
• Applying dressings to surgical wounds
• Closing the incision at the end of the procedure
• Packing sponges in body
• Performing electro cautery
• Dislocating/relocating joints
• Creating incisions
• Placing ports
• Positioning patient to maintain circulation and access for surgeon
• Placing clamps and sutures
• Closing skin with adhesives, sutures or staples etc.
• Applying direct pressure on veins and tissue
• Performing or aiding in patient suction, drainage and irrigation
• Hemostasis: The stopping of excess bleeding and blood flow
• Immobilizing patients on the operating table
• Demonstrates technical competency:
• Handles and passes instruments and supplies appropriately.
• Monitors sterile field for breaks in technique and takes corrective action to maintain sterile field.
• Applies principles of basic aseptic technique in adhering to sterile technique (gowning, gloving, draping).
• Checks that all equipment is functioning prior to use.
• Assists physician with equipment during procedure.
• Handles specimens according to policy and procedure.
• Performs counts according to established procedures.
• Maintains appropriate inventory level for supplies and facilitates the acquisition of supplies.
• Picks supplies for procedures using preference lists.
• Revises physician preference lists on an on-going basis.
• Utilizes down time constructively
• Maintains proficiency with unit specific equipment, trouble shoots and reports malfunctions:
• Maintains supply levels in room.
• Checks that all equipment is functioning prior to use.
• Anticipates need, selects equipment and supplies in an organized and timely manner.
• Cleans all equipment and instruments prior to and after use.
• Participates in the evaluation of new supplies, equipment and instruments.
• Provides a safe and therapeutic environment for patients:
• Assists in transfer and positioning of patients.
• Collaborates in room preparation.
• Turnover time is within acceptable timeframe.
• Verifies allergies, patient identity and surgical site as per policy.
• Notes abnormalities, limitations, injuries and previous injuries.
• Identifies presence of internal devices, i.e. pacer, prostheses.
• Follows policy and procedure for "time out".
• Handles drugs and solutions according to policy:
• Labels containers appropriately to receive drugs/solutions, i.e. dosage.
• Reads aloud concurrently with nurse, the medication/solution being dispensed, i.e. name of medication, dosage, outdate.
• Communicates medication information as it is passed to surgeon.
• Monitors solutions used for irrigation to assist in estimating blood loss.

General Job Functions:

• Seeks learning opportunities and demonstrates skill level contributing to the center's quality excellence outcomes.
• Able to assist with teaching aseptic technique.
• Attends seminars and meetings relevant to a surgical technologist.
• Other job duties as required.

Education, Certification, Computer and Training Requirements:

• High School Graduate or GED required. Diploma from a vocational or technical school preferred.
• BLS required.
• Completion of a Surgical Technologist program accredited by a national accreditation organization approved by the Oregon Health Authority required
• Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA) with The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting required.
• 2-4 years' surgical tech experience required and 1-2 years first assist preferred
• Ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing required.
• Ability to handle confidential information required.
• Ability to maintain good health and consistent attendance required.
• Successfully completes initial competency verification for clinical area required.
• Previous experience with Standard Office Technology in a Window based environment preferred.
• Standard Surgical equipment/instruments and specific patient care preferred.