Surgical Tech First Asst

Surgical Tech First Assistant

Here at Baylor Scott & White Health we promote the well-being of all individuals, families, and communities. Baylor Scott and White is the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas that empowers you to live well.

Our Core Values are:

• We serve faithfully by doing what's right with a joyful heart.
• We never settle by constantly striving for better.
• We are in it together by supporting one another and those we serve.
• We make an impact by taking initiative and delivering exceptional experience.

The Surgical Tech First Assistant works as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and a First Assistant. This position helps surgeons and surgical teams during major and complex procedures. It works under a Registered Nurse's direction as a CST. It works under a Surgeon's direction as a First Assistant.

Essential Functions of the Role:

• Ensures supplies, equipment, and instruments are available and working for each procedure. Updates surgeon preference cards for equipment, radiology, supplies, and notes. Pulls, opens, and sets up cases. Coordinates with surgeons on equipment and supply needs before procedures. Assists in building specialty instrument trays.
• Prepares the operating room according to surgical procedure schedules. Arranges sterile setups of instrument table supplies and equipment for specific procedures. Wraps instruments for gas or steam sterilization. Performs quality control procedures on equipment and reports any issues. Ensures the OR is clean before and after surgery.
• Scrubs for cases in major surgical services follow established procedures and standards. This requires advanced knowledge of anatomy and surgical instruments. Scrubs must also know surgeons' preferences and other technical knowledge.
• Educates and prepares surgical teams according to procedure.
• Assists with or performs the positioning, prepping and draping of the patient.
• Assists the surgeon during procedures by passing sterile supplies and equipment. Holds retractor devices and responds to the surgical team's needs. Ties off vessels and tissues, repairs incisions, and cuts and cauterizes tissues. Stabilizes drains and applies wound dressings as needed. Performs complex surgical techniques as directed by the physician and Texas scope of practice. Receives surgical specimens following protocol and notifies the circulating nurse. Delivers specimens to the appropriate location.
• Contacts the pharmacy for RX with Registered Nurse or circulating nurse partnership.
• Coordinates and works with system vetting vendors for the surgeon and department. Researches and gets quotes for capital purchases, new equipment, and supplies with specialty coordinators. Orders supplies.
• Stays updated on surgical equipment, trends, and techniques by attending in-service or internal education programs. Serves as a resource and preceptor for those learning the scrub role. Helps the department through in-services, precepting, and mentoring staff.

Key Success Factors:

• Must have good communication skills.
• Must have excellent knowledge of operating room protocol.
• Must be able to work effectively with all hospital departments.
• Must have excellent knowledge of patient protocols within a clinic setting.
• Must be able to work well with all members of the office staff.
• Must be able to assist the physician in all aspects of the practice including assisting in surgery.

Qualifications:

• EDUCATION - Grad of an Accredited Program
• EXPERIENCE - 2 Years of Experience
• CERTIFICATION/LICENSE/REGISTRATION - Basic Life Support (BLS): BLS or BLS within 30 days of hire or transfer.
• Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) required from NBSTA or NCCT.