Operating Room First Assistant

Emory Healthcare•Tucker, GA

About The Position

We are seeking a capable Surgical Assistant / First Assist / Operating Room who has acquired broad experience in caring for patients, and has developed a sound understanding about the care of a particular patient population. Responsible for assisting the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative duties and procedures as needed. Provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. Permanent: clamping and/or cauterizing vessels or tissue; tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue; applying hemostatic clips; placing local hemostatic agents. Temporary: applying tourniquets and demonstrating awareness of the indications/contraindications for use with knowledge of side effects of extended use; applying vessel loops; applying non-crushing clamps; applying direct digital pressure. Utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes. Packing with sponges. Digital manipulation of tissue. Suctioning, irrigating, or sponging. Manipulation of suture materials (e.g. loops, tags, running sutures). Utilizing running or interrupted subcutaneous sutures with absorbable or non-absorbable material and subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips. Closing skin with method indicated by surgeon (suture, staples, etc.). Selecting and applying appropriate wound dressing: liquid or spray occlusive materials, absorbent material affixed with tape of circumferential wrapping; immobilizing dressing (soft or rigid). Points of pressure shall be padded: elbows, heels, knees, eyes, face, and axillary region. Circulation shall not be impaired. Nerve damage shall be guarded against.

Requirements

Graduate and /or certification from surgical assisting programs accredited through ARC/STSA.
2 years of surgical assistant/first assistant experience is required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Medium): 20-50 lbs; 0-33% of the work day (occasionally); 11-25 lbs, 34-66% of the workday (frequently); 01-10 lbs, 67-100% of the workday (constantly); Lifting 50 lbs max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs; Occasional to frequent standing & walking, Occasional sitting, Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing), Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Factors affecting environment conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include, but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure Bio-hazardous waste Chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors Communicable diseases Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Nice To Haves

Five years of surgical tech experience with at least one year experience in a First Assist capacity preferred.

Responsibilities

assisting the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative duties and procedures as needed
aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions
clamping and/or cauterizing vessels or tissue
tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue
applying hemostatic clips
placing local hemostatic agents
applying tourniquets
applying vessel loops
applying non-crushing clamps
applying direct digital pressure
assisting with closure of body planes
packing with sponges
digital manipulation of tissue
suctioning, irrigating, or sponging
manipulation of suture materials
Utilizing running or interrupted subcutaneous sutures with absorbable or non-absorbable material and subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips
Closing skin with method indicated by surgeon (suture, staples, etc.)
Selecting and applying appropriate wound dressing
padding points of pressure