Certified Surgical Assistant - Operating Room (OR) - Memorial Regional Medical Center
About The Position
The Surgical Assistant II serves in an 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 position routinely provides first-assist support, may perform scrub or Surgical Tech duties, and supports preparation, conduct, and turnover of operating rooms. Duties include maintaining sterile technique; checking instruments; assisting with counts and specimen handling; preparing equipment and supplies; positioning and preparing patients; and assisting the surgical team throughout procedures. Under direct surgeon observation, the assistant may perform specified intraoperative tasks and assist with wound closure and dressing application. The role also protects confidential patient information, supports patient safety protocols, and communicates with the care team about equipment, sterility, and surgical needs.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Completion of a Surgical Assistant Program.
- One year of experience as a Surgical Assistant.
- Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) certification from NBSTSA, NSAA, or NCCSA is required, subject to the stated exceptions for certain Virginia hires before July 1, 2020 and Cincinnati hires, where it is preferred.
- If employed in Virginia, registration with the Virginia Board of Medicine is required.
- Ability to monitor patient conditions during treatment and complete specific, routine tasks.
- Basic reading, writing, or simple arithmetic skills; may need to operate basic equipment or machinery.
- Ability to follow instructions, pay attention to detail, think critically, work as part of a team, resolve conflict, listen actively, and build relationships.
- Demonstrate caring behavior, communicate pertinent patient information clearly, maintain surgical conscience, anticipate needs, and remain flexible.
- Assist with circulator skills and tasks, take direction, work under pressure, demonstrate professionalism and urgency, and serve as a preceptor and role model.
Nice To Haves
- BLS Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association is preferred upon hire; it must be obtained from an approved source before direct patient care.
- Certified Surgical Assistant certification is preferred 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 scrub or Surgical Tech duties as assigned.
- Maintain sterile technique; check instruments for proper working order; assist with sponge, sharps, and instrument counts; and handle specimens according to policy.
- Protect patient information and participate in efforts to reduce adverse patient-care events, including Universal Protocol procedures for correct-site surgery.
- Communicate missing or malfunctioning instruments and possible compromises to sterility to the circulating nurse; relay surgeon requests or needed preference-list changes.
- Prepare operating rooms by obtaining and positioning equipment, establishing and monitoring the sterile field, and opening supplies and instruments using aseptic technique.
- Assist with patient positioning, skin preparation, Foley catheterization, and draping.
- Under direct surgeon observation, perform permitted intraoperative tasks such as placing trocars and instruments, using power equipment and stapling devices, injecting specified local anesthetics, suctioning, cauterizing, retracting, irrigating, cutting suture, tying suture, and securing drains.
- Assist with surgical wound closure, including suturing subcutaneous tissue and skin and using a skin stapler when needed; apply appropriate wound dressings.
- Help select and prepare supplies, instruments, and equipment; anticipate and address the surgeon’s needs during procedures.
- Participate in operating-room turnover, set-up, and clean-up procedures.
- Perform other job-related duties as required by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.
Benefits
- Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and a 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, and backup care for children and elders.
- Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.
- Potential bonus up to $10,000 for eligible external applicants with at least one year of RN experience; internal BSMH associates are not eligible for sign-on bonuses.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
