Certified Surgical Assistant

Position Overview

The Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) works collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and perioperative nursing staff to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. Operating under the direct supervision of the attending surgeon and in accordance with hospital policies, the CSA serves as a first or second assistant across various specialties.

Key Responsibilities

Preoperative Duties

• Patient Preparation: Review patient medical history, verify surgical consents, and assist with preoperative patient evaluations.
• Team Alignment: Anticipate the needs of the surgical team and participate in intraoperative "time-out" and briefing protocols.
• Equipment & Positioning: Select necessary surgical instruments, set up tables, and assist in safely positioning the patient for the procedure.

Intraoperative Duties

• Visualization & Retraction: Provide optimal visualization of the surgical site by holding retractors and managing tissue as directed by the surgeon.
• Hemostasis: Assist in achieving and maintaining hemostasis, including the clamping and cauterization of bleeding vessels.
• Wound Closure: Suture and close surgical incisions layer-by-layer using methods and materials per the surgeon's directive.
• Medications & Dressings: Assist with the instillation of medications and the application of surgical dressings, splints, and casts.

Postoperative Duties

• Patient Transfer: Assist the clinical team with the safe transfer of the patient from the operating table to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).
• Care Instructions: Help provide both verbal and written postoperative care instructions.
• Documentation: Verify and update electronic health records (EHR) to reflect the surgical intervention.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Licensure: Must hold a valid Virginia Surgical Assistant License.
• Certification: Required National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) certification (CSA/CSFA).
• Life Support: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Experience: Minimum of 1 year of operating room experience preferred.
• Skills: Strong clinical and technical surgical skills; excellent interdisciplinary communication; ability to remain calm in high-pressure environments.

Equal Opportunity Employer: ATC Healthcare Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status or any other category protected by Federal, State or local law. M/F/D/V EOE