Certified Surgical First Assistant

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Below, you’ll find other important information about this position.

Functions as the surgeons’ assistant, working directly under his/her supervision throughout the procedures. Assists the nurse, surgeon, anesthesiologist and/or CRNA in the care of patients in the preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative phase.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

• Current Surgical Technologist Certification through ONE of the following boards: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
• National Center for Competencies Testing (NCCT)
• American Allied Health Association (AAHA)

• Must have ONE of the following certifications: Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
• Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) through the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA)
• Surgical Assistant-Certified (SA-C) through the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)

• Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 30 days of hire.

• Two (2) years of progressive clinical scrub experience in a CST role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

• Recommendation from three (3) different multi-specialty surgeons to validate skill competency.

CORE JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs technical skills required to prepare for surgical procedures.
• Assists other perioperative team members in the care of the surgical patient.
• Provides direct patient care, identified and meets patient needs under the direct supervision of a registered nurse.
• Under direction/supervision of surgeon, assists the surgeon in the perioperative care of patients and perform duties as assigned.
• Assesses the needs of the patient as related to specific surgical procedures and collects supplies and equipment as related to the procedure.
• Delivers age appropriate care which addresses patients’ cultural, spiritual, and psychosocial needs.
• Promotes a safe environment conducive to the patient’s well-being. Observes for potential patient complications and reports observations to the Registered Nurse.
• May assist in scheduling OR cases, recording information, and revising and updating surgeon preference cards via the information management system. Able to utilize the electronic medical record when applicable.
• Functions in Central Reprocessing: decontamination of instruments, preparation of instruments for sterilization, demonstrates skill in the use of all equipment within CRP and maintains records for all equipment in accordance with policy/ procedure.
• Utilizes proper positioning of the patient with consideration of patient’s comfort and safety points of pressure padded without impairment of circulation.
• Provides visualization of the operative site by the following: appropriate placement and securement of retractions; packing with sponges; digital manipulation and tissue; suctioning, irrigating, sponging; manipulation of suture materials; proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of surgeon’s view.
• Utilizes appropriate techniques with hemostasis for permanent and temporary techniques.
• Utilizes appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes.
• Selects and applies appropriate wound dressings.
• Provides assistance in securing drainage systems to tissues.

For facilities with specialty accreditation requirements: 1. Completion of annual required education related to specialty accreditation as defined by accreditation standards. Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Ability to lift up to 40-pounds and push/pull heavy loaded carts up to 200 lbs
• Possess visual, hearing, and oral acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment and lead for extended periods of time.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• May be exposed to communicable diseases, toxic gas, fume and odor.
• Exposure to electrical current and radiation from x-rays.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must have the ability to perform concentrated and complex mental activity with frequent involvement in complex and highly technical situations.
• Must have the ability to work successfully under stressful condition, and must be capable of adapting to varying workloads and work assignments on a constant basis.
• Must have the ability to make sound judgments based on scientific principles, and also be able to collaborate with other multidisciplinary team members in an appropriate fashion.
• Must have the ability to comprehend and perform oral and written instructions and procedures.
• Must have thorough knowledge/scrub skills for all surgical specialties.

Additional Job Description: Mandatory call required Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day (United States of America) Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Non-Exempt) Company: PCH Princeton Community Hospital Cost Center: 72 PCH Operating Room Address: 122 12th Street Princeton West Virginia Equal Opportunity Employer West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

Thank you for your interest in working for WVUM. Please explore our open opportunities in the list below and apply for any positions in which you would like to be considered. You'll be able to keep track of your progress on our site. The West Virginia University Health System is West Virginia’s largest health system and largest private employer, providing care to communities across West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The integrated academic health system includes 25 hospitals and five institutes, with more than 3,500 licensed beds, 4,000 clinicians, 39,000 employees, and $8.5 billion in annual operating revenues. Anchoring the system in Morgantown, West Virginia, are WVU Hospitals, an 880-bed academic medical center, and the 150-bed WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital. Together, the Health System’s hospitals, clinics, and specialty programs provide a comprehensive continuum of care, ranging from community-based primary and specialty services to highly complex, quaternary care and post-acute care.