Cardiac Surgical First Assistant / CSFA

Emory Healthcare•Atlanta, GA

73d

About The Position

Emory Healthcare is seeking a Cardiac Certified Surgical First Assistant who will be responsible for assisting the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative phases of the surgical procedure. They will not harvest vein as part of this role. The surgical assistant/first assistant will provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. The preoperative phase includes, but is not limited to safe positioning, assist circulator and anesthesia provider in preparation of the patient. The intraoperative phase includes, but not limited to performing specific tasks according to individual surgeon preference utilizing appropriate techniques. The postoperative phase includes, but not limited to, application of specific dressing material, assist in transfer of patient and following patient to recovery if needed or directed by surgeon. Providing visualization of the operative site by the following, but not limited to: Appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding. Packing with sponges. Digital manipulation of tissue. Suctioning, irrigating, or sponging. Manipulation of suture materials (e.g. loops, tags, running sutures). Proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeons view. Permanent: clamping and/or cauterizing vessels or tissue; tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue; applying hemostatic clips; placing local hemostatic agents. Temporary: applying tourniquets and demonstrating awareness of the indications/contraindications for use with knowledge of side effects of extended use; applying vessel loops; applying non-crushing clamps; applying direct digital pressure. Utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes, running or interrupted subcutaneous sutures with absorbable or non-absorbable material, subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips and closing skin with method indicated by surgeon (suture, staples, etc.). Postoperative subcutaneous injection of local anesthetic agent as directed by the surgeon. Selecting and applying appropriate wound dressing: liquid or spray occlusive materials, absorbent material affixed with tape of circumferential wrapping; immobilizing dressing (soft or rigid).

Requirements

Graduate and /or certification from surgical assisting programs accredited through ABSA, NSAA, or ARC/STSA.
2 years of surgical assistant/first assistant experience is required.
Some areas may require specialized experience. (i.e. in cardiothoracic surgery, two years of directly related experience is required).

Responsibilities

Assist the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative phases of the surgical procedure.
Provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions.
Assist circulator and anesthesia provider in preparation of the patient.
Perform specific tasks according to individual surgeon preference utilizing appropriate techniques.
Application of specific dressing material, assist in transfer of patient and following patient to recovery if needed or directed by surgeon.
Provide visualization of the operative site.
Clamping and/or cauterizing vessels or tissue; tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue; applying hemostatic clips; placing local hemostatic agents.
Applying tourniquets and demonstrating awareness of the indications/contraindications for use with knowledge of side effects of extended use; applying vessel loops; applying non-crushing clamps; applying direct digital pressure.
Assist with closure of body planes, running or interrupted subcutaneous sutures with absorbable or non-absorbable material, subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips and closing skin with method indicated by surgeon (suture, staples, etc.).
Postoperative subcutaneous injection of local anesthetic agent as directed by the surgeon. Selecting and applying appropriate wound dressing