Certified Surgical Assistant - Operating Room (OR) - Memorial Regional Medical Center

Bon Secours Mercy Health•Mechanicsville, VA

About The Position

The Surgical Assistant II serves in the assistant role for patients undergoing surgical procedures under provider supervision and in accordance with applicable regulations and organizational policies. This proficient-level practitioner expands knowledge and skills while caring for increasingly complex patients across multiple service lines and working to improve patient outcomes. The role routinely functions as first assist on assigned cases, may work in the scrub or surgical technician capacity, and supports preparation, conduct, and turnover of operating-room cases. Duties include preparing the sterile field and equipment, assisting with patient positioning and preparation, supporting the surgeon during procedures, closing wounds as permitted, applying dressings, and helping maintain patient safety, confidentiality, and sterile technique.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Completion of a Surgical Assistant Program.
Current Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) certification from NBSTSA, NSAA, or NCCSA; exceptions or preferred status apply in specified Virginia and Cincinnati circumstances.
If employed in Virginia, registration with the Virginia Board of Medicine is required.
At least one year of experience as a Surgical Assistant.
Must obtain BLS Basic Life Support certification from an approved source before direct patient care; certification is preferred upon hire.
Ability to monitor patient conditions during treatment.
Ability to complete routine tasks and perform basic reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Ability to operate basic equipment or machinery.
Ability to follow instructions and demonstrate attention to detail, critical thinking, teamwork, conflict resolution, active listening, and relationship building.
Demonstrate a caring attitude and intentional caring behaviors in interactions with patients and families.
Communicate pertinent patient information clearly to other members of the healthcare team.
Demonstrate surgical conscience, anticipate needs, remain flexible, take direction, and work under pressure.
Assist with circulator skills and tasks; demonstrate professionalism and urgency.
Serve as a preceptor and role model.

Nice To Haves

BLS Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association, preferred upon hire.
CSA certification is preferred rather than required for hires in Virginia before July 1, 2020, and for hires in Cincinnati.

Responsibilities

Routinely function as first assist on assigned cases across multiple and/or complex service lines.
Perform the scrub role or surgical technician duties as assigned while maintaining sterile technique.
Check instruments for proper working order and assist with sponge, sharps, and instrument counts.
Handle specimens according to hospital policy and procedure.
Protect patient information and maintain confidentiality in accordance with policy and regulations.
Participate in efforts to reduce adverse patient-care events and follow Universal Protocol procedures for correct-site surgery.
Communicate missing or malfunctioning instruments, sterility concerns, and needed preference-list changes to the circulating nurse or update preference cards where applicable.
Prepare operating-room cases by procuring and placing equipment, establishing the sterile field using aseptic technique, and helping maintain that field.
Assist with patient positioning, skin preparation, Foley catheterization, and draping.
Under the surgeon’s direct observation, perform permitted tasks such as inserting secondary trocars, placing instruments through trocars, using power equipment and stapling devices other than skin staplers, and injecting infiltration local anesthetic medications other than Exparel.
During procedures, use sponges and suction; assist with cauterization; place and manipulate retractors; irrigate wound sites; cut suture material; handle hemostats; tie sutures; and help secure drains to tissue.
Assist with fascial closure under direct surgeon observation and suture subcutaneous tissues and skin, including use of a skin stapler when needed.
Apply appropriate wound dressings, including medicated dressings.
Help team members select and prepare supplies, instruments, and equipment, and anticipate and meet the surgeon’s needs.
Participate in operating-room turnover, setup, and cleanup procedures.
Perform other job-related duties as required by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

Competitive pay and incentives.
Referral bonuses.
403(b) with employer contributions, when eligible.
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
HSA/FSA options.
Life insurance.
Mental health resources and discounts.
Paid time off.
Parental and FMLA leave.
Short- and long-term disability.
Backup care for children and elders.
Tuition assistance.
Professional development and continuing education support.
Sign-on bonus of up to $10,000 may be available to eligible external applicants with at least one year of RN experience; internal BSMH associates are not eligible.