Certified Surgical Tech First Assistant - Operating Room (OR) - Berkeley Hospital

Roper St. Francis Healthcare • Summerville, SC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Surgical Tech First Assist is a proficient-level practitioner who assists surgeons and nurses with patients, equipment preparation, aseptic technique, and surgical procedures in the operating room, in accordance with applicable regulations and organizational policies and procedures. The role prepares the operating room by assembling routine supplies, materials, instruments, and equipment, obtaining physician-requested special supplies, and setting up and operating specialized instrumentation and manual and powered equipment.

The position works three 12-hour shifts on days/evenings and includes required weekend and holiday call. The practitioner supports procedures across multiple service lines, helps maintain patient safety and a sterile environment, and may perform delegated circulator tasks and specified surgical assistant tasks under provider supervision. The role also supports staff orientation, instruction, inventory, and performance improvement. Vascular experience is preferred.

Requirements

• Associate's degree, vocational certification, or military certificate in Surgical Technology.
• One year of experience as a Surgical Technologist.
• Certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), NBSTA, or Tech in Surgery–Certified (TS-C) through NCCT is required.
• For employment in South Carolina, NBSTA certification is required; for individuals certified before 2008, NBSTA or NCCT certification is accepted.
• BLS Basic Life Support certification is preferred upon hire and must be obtained from an approved source before direct patient care.
• Knowledge of basic sciences including anatomy and physiology, microbiology, asepsis, sterile techniques, and operating room techniques.
• Knowledge of AORN and AST recommendations and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to monitor patient conditions and communicate patient conditions and care information to medical professionals.
• Analytical skills, attention to detail, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, active listening, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently, anticipate needs, move with urgency, exercise surgical conscience, maintain professionalism, take direction, and be flexible.
• Ability to perform shift work, maneuver patient weight, use manual dexterity and finger dexterity, reach above the shoulder, perform repetitive arm and hand movements, and meet visual and hearing requirements.
• Ability to work in conditions that may involve high stress and fluctuating workloads, noise and bright lights, hazardous substances or body fluids, infectious materials, interruptions, adverse weather, and possible physical altercations or verbal abuse.
• Ability to meet the physical demands described for lifting and carrying, pushing and pulling, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing, balancing, bending, sitting, walking, and standing.

Nice To Haves

• Vascular experience.
• BLS Basic Life Support certification upon hire.
• Experience or competency across multiple major surgical service lines and with lasers, MIS, laparoscopy, and robotics.

Responsibilities

• Function as the scrub person and assist the provider as trained during operative and other invasive procedures.
• Assemble supplies and equipment required for procedures; prepare and organize sterile supplies and instruments; perform surgical counts with the circulating RN according to policy.
• Maintain an organized sterile field and aseptic technique, take corrective action to preserve sterility, assist with sterile draping, and provide instruments and supplies to the surgical team.
• Retrieve, collect, and correctly label specimens; report implanted devices, catheters, drains, and packing to the circulator.
• Prepare cases completely and adapt to the special instrument, supply, and equipment needs of different patient populations.
• Assist with pre- and post-procedure cleaning of the operating or invasive procedure room and necessary instruments.
• Participate in ongoing education and competency verification, patient safety measures, cost-conscious resource use, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Remain available for scheduled on-call shifts within departmental response time frames and adapt to unit staffing and scheduling needs.
• Participate in orientation of new staff and students as assigned; provide clinical instruction, direction, in-service training, and precepting.
• Perform surgical skin preparation and clipping as indicated; insert urinary catheters as required.
• Update physician preference cards based on market operating room design.
• Assist with supply inventory and ordering; monitor instrument sets and order replacements or request repairs according to market guidelines.
• Achieve competencies for simple and complex procedures in at least three major service lines, including areas such as neurosurgery, cardiovascular, orthopedic, urology, general, vascular, GYN, ENT, lungs, transplants, and plastics.
• Demonstrate knowledge of equipment and instrumentation, including lasers, MIS, laparoscopy, and robotics.
• Perform specific circulator-role tasks delegated by the Registered Nurse.
• Under provider supervision, perform specified surgical assistant tasks, including surgical wound closure and cutting sutures.
• Provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served, including infants, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
• Use universal precautions and required personal protective equipment, and follow infection-control policies.

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, and short- and long-term disability.
• Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree