Certified Surgical First Assistant

The Surgical Clinic • Nashville, TN

3d

About The Position

The Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) provides skilled intraoperative support to surgeons, including operative site exposure, hemostasis, tissue handling, and wound closure. The CSFA helps maintain a sterile and safe environment, advocates for patient safety, and supports efficient, coordinated surgical workflows.

The role includes delivering safe, patient-centered perioperative care; preparing patients for surgery; managing instruments, equipment, and supplies; monitoring patient status; and handling specimens, drains, implants, and biohazard materials in accordance with policies and standards. The CSFA also collaborates with and supports perioperative team members in a professional environment focused on quality, safety, and teamwork.

The Surgical Clinic (TSC) is Middle Tennessee’s premier multi-specialty surgical practice, with more than 40 surgeons and patient-focused clinics providing access to advanced surgical procedures. The organization describes its workplace as supportive, collaborative, and innovative.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) certification or an equivalent credential awarded before 2000.
• Expertise in sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, tissue handling, hemostasis, wound closure, and operative site exposure.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and patient advocacy skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure in fast-paced surgical environments.
• Advanced knowledge of perioperative practices, sterile technique, and infection-control standards.
• Technical surgical assisting skills, including tissue handling, hemostasis, suturing, and maintaining operative-field exposure.
• Ability to anticipate surgeon and procedural needs, monitor patient status, exercise clinical judgment, and communicate effectively with the surgical team.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of one year as a surgical technologist with hands-on proficiency in assisting surgical procedures.

Responsibilities

• Uphold sterile technique, infection-control practices, and surgical safety protocols throughout perioperative care.
• Provide first-assist support, including optimizing operative-field exposure, maintaining hemostasis, handling and manipulating tissue, suturing, assisting with wound closure, and anticipating surgical team needs.
• Prepare patients for surgery by verifying identity and procedure, confirming surgical site markings, positioning patients safely, and assisting with skin preparation.
• Set up and manage surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies, check functionality, and support efficient intraoperative flow.
• Monitor and assess patient status during procedures and communicate relevant changes in vital signs or surgical conditions to the surgical and anesthesia teams.
• Handle specimens, drains, implants, and biohazard materials in accordance with ASC policies, regulatory standards, and chain-of-custody requirements.
• Protect patient safety, privacy, and confidentiality and advocate for perioperative best practices.
• Mentor, collaborate with, and support perioperative team members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED