Weekend Alternative Surgical Assistant/OR First Assistant, Labor and Delivery

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

The VHC Health Labor and Delivery Unit consists of 16 private rooms with bathrooms (all bathrooms include a shower which can be quite helpful for long inductions or natural labors). Twelve out of the sixteen labor rooms were renovated in 2021. This unit also has six triage rooms, three ORs and five antepartum rooms. In addition to the recent unit updates, this team utilizes the most current evidence based supplies & products. Nursing leadership has brought in many new products in the last few years. In this unit, you will see women with many different types of pregnancies, singletons, twins & even triplets! VHC Health is Kaiser Permanente’s premier center for their high-risk patient population, including antepartum patients, high-risk vaginal, external cephalic versions (where breech babies are rotated to vertex in hopes of having a vaginal delivery), TOLACs (Trial of Labor after Cesarean birth) and cesarean deliveries. 

 

What makes the Labor and Delivery unit unique is the fantastic doctor/nurse relationship, great teamwork and having an OR/GYN team that works alongside labor nurses to support the unit. Members of this team describe the unit as “feels like family” and mentioned they have a very supportive leadership team who jumps in, scrubs up, and helps when needed. Since this unit sees many high-risk deliveries, it is a great place to learn about L&D, especially if you are a new graduate or a new to practice nurse.

 

Located in Arlington, Virginia, VHC Health is a 548-bed, independent, not-for-profit health system and nationally recognized teaching hospital. We have proudly served the Washington, DC metropolitan community for more than 75 years. Consistently ranked among the top hospitals in Virginia and the region, VHC Health has earned recognition as a 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Employer and a 2025 Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. We also hold the prestigious Magnet® designation for nursing excellence. As a Level II Trauma Center, we are committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care when it matters most.

Responsibilities

At VHC Health, every role contributes to exceptional care, better outcomes, and stronger communities.  

In addition to your base compensation, VHC Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to eligibility requirements), as well as additional wellness and retirement benefits designed to support our employees and their families. 

VHC Health is committed to wage transparency and equitable pay practices. The compensation offered for this position—whether expressed as an annual salary or hourly rate—is determined based on a variety of legitimate, non-discriminatory factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, a candidate’s qualifications, relevant training and experience, skill level, shift differentials (where applicable), internal equity, and current market conditions. 

The posted hiring range reflects the range VHC Health, in good faith, believes is appropriate for this role at the time of posting. This range may be adjusted in the future based on business needs or market changes. No portion of compensation is considered earned until it is vested and determined in accordance with the terms of applicable policies and benefit plans. The availability and amount of any bonuses, incentives, or other benefits are subject to the terms of those plans and may be modified at the sole discretion of VHC Health, in accordance with applicable law. 

VHC Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law. 

VHC Health maintains a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited at all VHC Health locations. 

Qualifications

Purpose & Scope:

The Surgical Assistant renders direct patient care by assisting the surgeon in the surgical treatment of the patient. This is accomplished under direct supervision of the attending surgeon and in accordance with the goals of the Department of Surgery and the philosophy of the Division of Nursing and the policy of the Medical Staff. Interpretive skills, frequent interactive and consultative associations, are inherent in the position. The ability to retrieve, communicate, or otherwise present information in a written, auditory, or visual fashion is essential. The primary method to express or exchange ideas is through the spoken word. Written, telephone, and manual dexterity skills are required for this position.

Education:

Satisfaction of education requirements needed to obtain licensure as a Surgical Assistant by the Virginia Department of Health is required.

Graduation from an accredited program for First Assistants is preferred.

Experience:

Three years of operating room experience is preferred.

Certification/Licensure:

Licensed Surgical Assistant by the Virginia Department of Health Professions required.

Certified in Surgical Assisting preferred.