Cardiac Surgical Assistant

Cardiac Surgical Assistant

Provides first, second, or third assistance during open heart and other vascular and thoracic surgical procedures under direction of a physician. Assists with the pre- and post-operative care of patient.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Acts as assistant to the attending surgeon during all cardiac surgical cases including but not limited to: the opening and closing of sternotomy, arterial and venous cannulation and decannulation, coronary artery grafting, cardiac valve repair or replacement, heart transplantation, and insertion of cardiac mechanical assist devices.
• Reviews patient chart and catheter films with the physician/surgeon as appropriate.
• Assists the Anesthesiologist in monitoring patient during anesthesia induction and performing venipunctures starting/administering IV's. Assists the physician with the application of external/internal fixation devices.
• Inserts Foley catheter and rectal temperature probes as directed by the attending physician. Places electrical cautery grounding pads on patient.
• Obtains arterial lines via femoral or radial approach for monitoring purposes or to obtain blood samples.
• Ensures/maintains a sterile field during surgical procedures by following Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) standards/protocols. Assists in the surgical draping and positioning of patient for surgery to ensure proper body alignment.
• Harvests and prepares the saphenous vein, the lesser saphenous vein, radial or internal mammary artery, cephalic vein, or other usable conduit under the direct supervision of the attending physician.
• Obtains proper hemostasis and insures appropriate closing techniques are utilized for closure of surgical wounds.
• Applies surgical dressings as needed; may obtain culture from surgical wounds for lab testing as appropriate; removes surgical suture/staples following surgical procedures as directed by the attending physician.
• Assists in the monitoring and transporting the patient to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Conveys appropriate information regarding patient condition to the receiving medical staff.
• Provides surgical and technical assistance during the insertion and operation of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP).
• Attends rounds with the Attending Surgeons on all patients in the Cardiac Surgery Service.
• Assists physicians and nursing staff with the post-operative care of inpatients and patients in the Emergency Room. Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as required.
• Assists in compiling statistical data regarding surgical procedures/outcomes for biomedical research intra-operative procedure notes quality assurance and/or other purposes.
• Maintains and monitors supplies and equipment inventories of assigned areas including assisting in the maintenance/care of specialty equipment used in specific clinical service areas. Maintains a high level of knowledge about specialty instrumentation.
• Attends cath. and surgical conferences in-service training and continuing medical education programs as appropriate to maintain clinical expertise and certification. Assists in pre and post operative teaching and the orientation for new personnel as appropriate.

Minimal Qualifications

Education

• Associate's degree required or
• Higher level degree required or
• Equivalent training such as graduation from National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) Physician Assistant Nurse Practitioner program or directly related discipline required

Experience

• 3 to 5 years' experience with a minimum of 2 years of direct previous Surgical Assistant or equivalent experience in a general surgery or cardiac surgery program exhibiting a high degree of understanding regarding hemodynamic principles for the cardiac patient and how they relate to patient management and be able to assess these parameters and precisely relay the information to the appropriate medical personnel required

Licenses and Certifications

• Health Services Certified Surgical Assist - CSA from the National Surgical Assistant's Association or equivalent certification within 1 Year required
• Licensed Surgical Assistant in the District of Columbia required

This position has a hiring range of USD $45.08 - USD $73.55 /Hr.