Cardiovascular Surgical Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Avant First Assistants is seeking a highly skilled, dependable, and motivated Cardiovascular Surgical Assistant to join our growing team in Houston, Texas .

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to work alongside a highly respected cardiovascular surgical team in a professional, collaborative, and high-acuity environment where clinical excellence, patient safety, teamwork, and continuous professional development are at the forefront.

As a Cardiovascular Surgical Assistant, you will play an integral role in the surgical team by providing advanced intraoperative first-assisting support during cardiovascular procedures . Your technical expertise, clinical judgment, anticipation, precision, and ability to perform confidently under pressure will contribute directly to surgical efficiency, patient safety, and optimal clinical outcomes .

At Avant First Assistants, we are committed not only to delivering exceptional surgical support but also to developing exceptional surgical professionals. You will have the opportunity to strengthen your cardiovascular expertise, expand your clinical capabilities, and grow professionally within an organization that values excellence, accountability, professionalism, and teamwork.

Compensation:

$115,000 - $140,000

Responsibilities: Preoperative Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the surgical and perioperative team to confirm that required preoperative documentation, surgical consents, and case-specific requirements are complete in accordance with hospital policies and established protocols.

• Verify that all necessary instruments, supplies, equipment, implants, and specialty cardiovascular devices are available, properly prepared, and ready for use.

• Participate in preoperative briefings and surgical time-outs to review the planned procedure, patient-specific considerations, required equipment, and anticipated intraoperative needs.

• Anticipate the surgeon’s procedural requirements and proactively prepare for potential variations or challenges during the case.

Intraoperative Responsibilities

• Assist with patient positioning, surgical site preparation, and sterile draping , ensuring adherence to patient-safety, infection-prevention, and procedural standards.

• Provide advanced first-assisting support to cardiovascular and vascular surgeons throughout operative procedures, consistent with applicable licensure, hospital privileges, and institutional policies.

• Assist with surgical exposure, tissue handling, retraction, hemostasis, dissection, suturing, vascular control, anastomotic assistance, and wound closure , as appropriate to the procedure.

• Utilize advanced surgical techniques and specialized cardiovascular instrumentation to promote precision, efficiency, patient safety, and optimal operative flow .

• Demonstrate exceptional anticipation of the surgeon’s needs , maintaining awareness of procedural progression and responding proactively to changing intraoperative conditions.

• Maintain strict adherence to sterile technique, aseptic practices, infection-prevention protocols, and operating-room safety standards throughout the procedure.

• Work collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, perfusionists, nurses, surgical technologists, and other members of the cardiovascular surgical team.

• Remain calm, focused, adaptable, and clinically effective during high-acuity procedures, unexpected events, and emergency situations.

• Assist with final hemostasis, surgical closure, dressing application, and other procedure-specific tasks as directed and within the Surgical Assistant’s authorized scope.

Postoperative Responsibilities

• Assist the perioperative team with the safe transfer and positioning of the patient following completion of the procedure.

• Complete required operative and procedural documentation accurately and promptly in accordance with hospital, regulatory, and organizational requirements.

• Participate in postoperative debriefings and communicate relevant procedural information to support continuity of care, quality improvement, and patient safety.

• Ensure instruments, equipment, and specialty items requiring follow-up are appropriately communicated to the perioperative team.

Cardiovascular & Vascular Procedure Experience

Candidates should demonstrate substantial first-assisting experience with cardiovascular and vascular procedures, including:

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) — On-pump and off-pump

• Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) — Mechanical and bioprosthetic

• Mitral Valve Repair — Including annuloplasty and leaflet repair

• Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR)

• Tricuspid Valve Repair and Replacement

• Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Repair

• Femoral–Popliteal Bypass — Above- and below-knee

• Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA)

• Peripheral Vascular Embolectomy and Thrombectomy

• Arteriovenous Fistula and Graft Creation for dialysis access

Expected Technical Competencies

Qualified candidates should demonstrate proficiency, as permitted by applicable licensure, credentialing, hospital privileges, and surgeon direction, in:

• Saphenous vein harvesting , including endoscopic and/or open techniques

• Radial artery harvesting

• Assisting with median sternotomy and sternal closure

• Assisting with cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation and decannulation

• Placement and securing of chest tubes, temporary pacing wires, and surgical drains , when authorized

• Advanced vascular exposure, vessel preparation, and vascular control techniques

• Assisting with arterial and venous anastomoses

• Advanced suturing, knot tying, hemostasis, and surgical closure techniques

• Appropriate use of cardiovascular surgical instrumentation and equipment

• Recognition and anticipation of the procedural steps required during complex cardiovascular and vascular cases

Above all, the Cardiovascular Surgical Assistant is expected to demonstrate clinical excellence, anticipation, confidence, efficiency, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to patient safety throughout every phase of surgical care.

Qualifications:

• Must possess a current and unrestricted Surgical Assistant License issued by the Texas Medical Board .
• Must maintain current certification through a recognized surgical assisting credentialing organization , such as the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) or the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) .
• Must maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification . Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification is preferred. Certifications must be issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or another accepted provider.
• Minimum of two (2) years of hands-on cardiovascular surgical assisting experience , preferably within an acute-care hospital or high-acuity surgical environment.
• Demonstrated clinical competence, technical proficiency, and sound judgment when assisting in cardiovascular surgical procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and professional communication skills , with the ability to collaborate effectively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing staff, surgical technologists, and other members of the perioperative team.
• Comprehensive understanding of surgical anatomy, medical terminology, sterile technique, patient safety, and operating room protocols .
• Multi-specialty surgical experience is highly valued , particularly in cardiovascular, neurosurgery, orthopedics, general surgery, and minimally invasive or robotic procedures.
• Must demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, organization, adaptability, anticipation, and problem-solving abilities in fast-paced, high-acuity surgical environments.
• Must be able to remain calm, confident, professional, and effective under pressure , including during complex procedures and unexpected intraoperative situations.
• Foreign-trained physicians (MDs) must provide documentation of successful completion of the TOEFL examination when applicable .

About Company

Avant First Assistants LLC, established in 2012, has been delivering exceptional surgical support to surgeons, hospitals, and surgery centers. As a growing organization, we are seeking dedicated professionals who are goal-oriented and passionate about making a meaningful impact through outstanding service. We currently hold hospital contracts in Sugar Land, Cypress, and partner with several surgery centers across the Greater Houston area. If you share our commitment to excellence, we invite you to join our team and contribute to our mission of providing top-tier surgical assistance.