Surgical Assistant - Colorectal Surgery

American Addiction Centers•Greenfield, WI

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Assistant in Colorectal Surgery participates in all preparatory steps of surgery, assisting the operating team with gathering supplies, opening the room, lifting, transferring, positioning, preparing, and draping patients. This role requires anticipating and responding to the surgeon's needs, ensuring all necessary supplies are available, and maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient operating environment using aseptic surgical techniques. Responsibilities include setting up the operating room, moving equipment, operating various devices, checking equipment functionality, and facilitating repairs. The Surgical Assistant also acts as a resource, assists in training Surgical Technologists and new Surgical Assistants, and participates in department work teams. The position may involve performing specific validated surgical activities, such as wound closure or patient positioning, under varying levels of supervision from the surgeon. Competency must be confirmed by a sponsoring surgeon and submitted for approval/renewal every two years. The assistant must demonstrate age-appropriate patient care knowledge and skills. Advocate Health, the employer, is a large nonprofit integrated health system focused on clinical innovation, health outcomes, and patient experience, employing 155,000 teammates across numerous hospitals and care locations.

Requirements

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
Surgical Technologist (CST) certification issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) needs to be obtained within 12 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.
Surgical First Assist (CSFA) certification issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) needs to be obtained within 12 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.
Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) issued by the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) needs to be obtained within 12 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.
Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Surgical Technology.
Typically requires 3 years of experience in a Surgical Technologist or Surgical Assistant position.
Advanced knowledge and skill in major operative surgical specialties performed.
Advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and potential complications for procedures performed.
Demonstrated ability to remove skin staples and wound drains.
Advanced knowledge and skill of aseptic surgical techniques used in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for various surgical procedures and suturing.
Demonstrated ability to anticipate and recognize Physician's needs and changes that requires unplanned or unanticipated interventions, and responds appropriately.
Remain current with ongoing computer based learning modules as assigned.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
Basic computer proficiency.
Maintain annual educational requirements for hospital based certifications (e.g. DNV, CARF or others).

Responsibilities

Participates in the preparatory steps of surgery; assists operating team in gathering supplies, opening room for cases, assists in lifting, transferring, positioning, preparing and draping the patient.
Anticipates and responds to the needs of the Surgeon, by ensuring all required supplies are available for procedures prior to incision, recognizing individual preferences.
Provides for a clean, safe and efficient area conducive to optimal patient care.
Utilizes aseptic surgical techniques in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for surgical procedures (e.g., assistance with gowning and gloving; preparation and draping of the surgical area; provision of a sterile field, instruments, suture and related materials; anticipation of the Surgeons' needs; holding of retractors, observing and reporting possible breaks in aseptic technique; and assisting in maintaining a sterile, dry, unobstructed field).
Ensures the environmental disinfection, safety and efficiency of the operating room.
Sets up the room for each case including moving equipment (e.g., tables, cameras, microscopes, fracture table, and instrument pans), operating the various types of equipment they have been trained to use during operating room procedures, and returning equipment post procedure.
Checks the working condition of equipment and facilitates having damaged items sent out for repair.
Notifies appropriate people of equipment and supply problems.
Acts as a resource and assists in the training of Surgical Technologists and new Surgical Assistants.
Participates in department and facility work teams and assists with special projects as needed.
May perform specific surgical activities that are validated competencies under the direct supervision of the surgeon (i.e. the surgeon is in the same room working on the same patient).
May perform specific validated competencies and surgical activities such as wound closure of deep capsules, muscle, subcutaneous tissue and skin under general supervision of the surgeon.
May perform specific validated competencies and surgical activities such as position and prep of patient on the surgical table (excluding complex fracture table, spinal frame, or head stabilizers/pins/tongs), application of the tourniquet as indicated in preparation of a procedure, securing of drains, application of the dressing, cast or immobilizer at the end of a case and safe transfer from the surgical table to transport cart/bed without supervision of the surgeon.
Provides competency confirmed by a sponsoring surgeon and submits documentation to the medical executive committee a minimum of every two years for approval and/or renewal.
Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.

Benefits

$16,000 Sign-on Bonus Eligible with distance based relocation available
Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
Competitive compensation
Generous retirement offerings
Programs that invest in your career development
Paid Time Off programs
Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program