RN First Assistant OR Surgical Assistant— Fairfield Hospital

Mercy Health • Fairfield, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Services Registered Nurse (RN) delivers patient care utilizing the nursing process through data collection and assessment, identifies and determines the priority of patient’s problems/needs, and evaluates the process and outcome of nursing care; coordinates, provides and directs patient teaching activities and coordinates the care provided by health team members. The Surgical Assistant serves in the assistant role in the provision of care to patients undergoing a surgical procedure under the supervision of the provider in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and within the policies, procedures, and guidelines of the organization. The Surgical Assistant is an entry-level practitioner and focused on learning and growing in this role.

Requirements

• Current RN License in the state in which they are working or covered by compact (required)
• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Completion of a Surgical Assistant Program (required)
• Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA), or National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA) (required) (if hired in Virginia prior to July 1, 2020, preferred; if hired in Cincinnati, preferred). If employed in Virginia, must be registered with the Virginia Board of Medicine. (required)

Nice To Haves

• BLS Basic Life Support (preferred upon hire, must obtain from approved source prior to direct patient care)
• ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support (preferred)
• PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support - American Heart Association (preferred)
• CNOR Certified Perioperative Nurse (preferred)
• SGNA Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (preferred)
• Bachelor of Science Nursing (preferred)
• 2 years of Critical Care experience (preferred)
• Completion of OR internship program (preferred)
• Successful completion of Periop 101 (preferred)
• BLS Basic Life Support – American Heart Association (preferred upon hire, must obtain from approved source prior to direct patient care)
• One year health care experience (preferred)

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team, conducts initial and ongoing patient assessment, analyzes assessment data, creates a plan of care, implements treatment and evaluates treatment effectiveness.
• Administers medications in a safe manner consistent with the State of Practice and Bon Secours Mercy Health policies and procedures.
• Serves as point of contact for patients' care coordination throughout hospital departments.
• Acts as a patient safety advocate by participating in ongoing quality improvement in the department.
• Delegates tasks and functions according to applicable laws, regulations, and standards, taking into consideration the competency of the assignee.
• Responsible for managing the nursing care of the patient within the OR and coordinating the needs of the surgical team with other care providers necessary for completion of surgery.
• Observes the surgery and surgical team from a broad perspective and assists the team to create and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for the patient.
• Provides preop, intraop, and post-op care, including assessment and discharge instructions.
• Assess the patient’s condition before, during, and after the operation to ensure an optimal outcome for the patient.
• Anticipates the scrub nurse’s needs and opens sterile packs, operates equipment, and keeps accurate records.
• Responsible for reprocessing if on Endoscopy team.
• Performs surgical hand scrub, gowning, and gloving according to policy.
• Routinely functions as first or second assist on assigned cases.
• Functions in the Surgical Tech capacity fulfilling the scrub role as assigned, demonstrating knowledge and implementation of sterile technique.
• Checks all instruments to ensure they are in proper working order prior to use.
• Assists with sponge, sharps, and instrument counts per policy and procedures.
• Handles specimens in accordance with hospital policy and procedure.
• Protects patient information based on hospital policy and government regulations to assure information is kept confidential.
• Participates in unit and hospital efforts to reduce adverse patient care events.
• Actively participates in the Universal Protocol procedures that assure correct site surgery.
• Communicates effectively with the circulating nurse upon observance of any missing or malfunctioning instruments and/or indication of any compromise to sterility.
• Reports any implants device, catheters, drains and packing circulator.
• Assists with OR case preparation: Utilizes surgeon’s preference list to procure equipment and arrange proper placement in the OR; Utilizes aseptic technique when establishing the sterile field, opening supplies and instruments; Assists with monitoring and maintaining the sterile field.
• Assists with patient positioning, skin clipping and prepping, foley catheterization and draping.
• Under the direct observation of the surgeon, may: Insert secondary trocars; Place instruments through trocars; Utilize power equipment and stapling devices (other than skin stapling); Inject infiltration local anesthetic medications excluding Exparel.
• During surgical procedures: Use sponges and suction; Cauterization processes; Appropriately place and manipulate retractors (with or without padding); Irrigate the wound site(s); Cut suture material, handle hemostats, and tie suture; Provides assistance securing drains to tissue.
• Closes the surgical wound: May assist suture closing of fascia layer under the direct observation of the surgeon; Sutures the subcutaneous tissues and skin including with the use of a skin stapler if needed.
• Applies appropriate wound dressings, including medicated dressings.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HAS/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, backup care for children and elders
• Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level