Certified Surgical First Assistant

WVU Medicine

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Functions as the surgeons’ assistant, working directly under his/her supervision throughout the procedures. Assists the nurse, surgeon, anesthesiologist and/or CRNA in the care of patients in the preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative phase.

Requirements

Current Surgical Technologist Certification through ONE of the following boards: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), National Center for Competencies Testing (NCCT), American Allied Health Association (AAHA)
Must have ONE of the following certifications: Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) through the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA), Surgical Assistant-Certified (SA-C) through the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)
Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 30 days of hire.
Two (2) years of progressive clinical scrub experience in a CST role.
Must have the ability to perform concentrated and complex mental activity with frequent involvement in complex and highly technical situations.
Must have the ability to work successfully under stressful condition, and must be capable of adapting to varying workloads and work assignments on a constant basis.
Must have the ability to make sound judgments based on scientific principles, and also be able to collaborate with other multidisciplinary team members in an appropriate fashion.
Must have the ability to comprehend and perform oral and written instructions and procedures.
Must have thorough knowledge/scrub skills for all surgical specialties.

Nice To Haves

Recommendation from three (3) different multi-specialty surgeons to validate skill competency.

Responsibilities

Performs technical skills required to prepare for surgical procedures.
Assists other perioperative team members in the care of the surgical patient.
Provides direct patient care, identified and meets patient needs under the direct supervision of a registered nurse.
Under direction/supervision of surgeon, assists the surgeon in the perioperative care of patients and perform duties as assigned.
Assesses the needs of the patient as related to specific surgical procedures and collects supplies and equipment as related to the procedure.
Delivers age appropriate care which addresses patients’ cultural, spiritual, and psychosocial needs.
Promotes a safe environment conducive to the patient’s well-being. Observes for potential patient complications and reports observations to the Registered Nurse.
May assist in scheduling OR cases, recording information, and revising and updating surgeon preference cards via the information management system. Able to utilize the electronic medical record when applicable.
Functions in Central Reprocessing: decontamination of instruments, preparation of instruments for sterilization, demonstrates skill in the use of all equipment within CRP and maintains records for all equipment in accordance with policy/ procedure.
Utilizes proper positioning of the patient with consideration of patient’s comfort and safety points of pressure padded without impairment of circulation.
Provides visualization of the operative site by the following: appropriate placement and securement of retractions; packing with sponges; digital manipulation and tissue; suctioning, irrigating, sponging; manipulation of suture materials; proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of surgeon’s view.
Utilizes appropriate techniques with hemostasis for permanent and temporary techniques.
Utilizes appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes.
Selects and applies appropriate wound dressings.
Provides assistance in securing drainage systems to tissues.
Completion of annual required education related to specialty accreditation as defined by accreditation standards. Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.