SURGICAL ASSISTANT II - CVOR

The Christ Hospital Health Network•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Surgical Assistant II performs specific tasks during surgical procedures to help the surgeon operate safely and efficiently. The role assists with identifying anatomy in the operative field, maintains positive customer relations, demonstrates case-appropriate competency and technical skills, and uses that knowledge to assist others. The position performs duties within its scope of responsibility and is accountable to the Manager of the Surgical Assistants. Under direct surgeon supervision, the assistant performs clinical skills including patient positioning, visualization of the operative site, assistance with hemostasis and closure, wound dressing selection and application, and securing drainage systems. The role independently performs vein, radial artery, tendon, bone, and skin harvesting and plastic closure on plastic cases during surgery and on-call, and provides expert assistance on major surgical cases under direct surgeon supervision. The assistant stays current with technologies related to specialty areas. The role communicates relevant procedural information and changes in patient condition to physicians, shares the plan of care with team members, uses handoff processes when relieved during procedures, and completes incident or accident reports in a timely manner. It also demonstrates leadership by motivating, educating, delegating, and mentoring peers; participating in staff meetings and review activities; and supporting professional growth. The Surgical Assistant II manages workload and initiates care in a timely manner, considers cost and outcomes in planning and implementing patient care, and uses time, equipment, and supplies responsibly. The role promotes patient and environmental safety through appropriate positioning equipment, post-procedure assessment for positioning-related injury, infection-prevention practices, reporting breaks in operating-room technique, and notifying the charge nurse of unusual patient events or problems.

Requirements

Two years of college or specialty school in surgical assisting.
Extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
Excellent eye-hand coordination.
Ability to stand for long periods of time.
Sound judgment and knowledge of scientific principles.
Competency in selected skills demonstrated through hospital-provided instruction.
BLS certification is required.
Certification within six months of employment by one of the following: NSAA; CFA in the AST; AA-C in the AAPA; or CRNFA in the ONA. Alternatively, an advanced medical degree with three years of practice in the United States is required.

Nice To Haves

Preferred four years of general experience, including two years in any specialty area.
Membership in a professional organization is preferred.
Certification in the area of specialty was preferred by 2018.

Responsibilities

Assist the surgeon during procedures to support safe and efficient operations, including identifying anatomy in the operative field.
Position patients as directed by the surgeon while considering patient comfort, safety, and operative-site visualization.
Provide operative-site visualization through appropriate retractor placement, packing with sponges, digital tissue manipulation, suctioning, irrigation, sponging, suture-material manipulation, and appropriate body mechanics.
Assist with hemostasis and closure, including subcutaneous and subcuticular suturing and skin closure by the method indicated by the surgeon.
Administer postoperative subcutaneous local anesthetic as directed by the surgeon.
Select and apply appropriate wound dressings, including occlusive materials, absorbent dressings, and immobilizing dressings.
Assist in securing drainage systems to tissue.
Independently perform vein, radial artery, tendon, bone, and skin harvesting and plastic closure on plastic cases during surgery and on-call.
Provide expert assistance on major surgical cases under direct supervision of a surgeon.
Stay current with new technologies related to specialty areas.
Communicate pertinent procedural information and changes in patient condition to the physician, and communicate the plan of care with team members using handoff processes when relieved.
Complete patient- or personnel-related incident and accident reports in a timely manner.
Maintain professional rapport with physicians, customers, coworkers, superiors, and staff from other departments.
Motivate, educate, delegate to, and mentor peers; participate in staff meetings, professional development, and self- and peer-review activities.
Plan and implement patient care with attention to cost, effective outcomes, timely initiation of care, workload management, and responsible use of time, equipment, and supplies.
Use appropriate positioning equipment and assess the patient, including skin, for possible positioning-related injury after procedures; report abnormal findings and ensure treatment and documentation are carried out.
Assess patients and the environment for safety risks, perform safety initiatives, and use protective devices and equipment to prevent injury and disease transmission.
Observe and report breaks in operating-room technique and report unusual patient events or problems to the charge nurse.