Surgical Assistant

Advocate Health

6d•$36 - $53•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Assistant supports the operating team in preparing for surgery, maintaining a clean and safe operating room, and assisting with patient care and surgical procedures within validated competencies. The role includes anticipating surgeon needs, preparing and maintaining a sterile field, handling supplies and equipment, and helping ensure efficient operating room turnover. Some delegated surgical activities may be performed under direct supervision, general supervision, or without the surgeon present, according to validated competencies and applicable requirements. The Surgical Assistant also helps train Surgical Technologists and new Surgical Assistants, participates in department and facility work teams, and completes special projects as needed. The position requires age-appropriate patient care knowledge, ongoing competency documentation and education, and the ability to work in a stressful, fast-paced surgical environment. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; weeknight, weekend, and holiday call is shared among three assistants and typically amounts to one to two nights and weekends per month.

Requirements

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
Advanced training beyond high school, including completion of an accredited or approved Surgical Technology program.
Typically three 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.
Ability to remove skin staples and wound drains.
Advanced knowledge and skill in aseptic surgical techniques and suturing.
Ability to anticipate and recognize physician needs and respond appropriately to changes requiring unplanned or unanticipated interventions.
Maintain current assigned computer-based learning modules.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
Basic computer proficiency.
Maintain annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications, such as DNV or CARF.
Ability to work in a stressful, fast-paced environment.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist, lift up to 20 pounds overhead, and carry up to 40 pounds a reasonable distance.
Ability to push or pull with 30 pounds of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 pounds with a second person present.
Ability to use foot pedals on carts or machines; sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders, and twist frequently during a shift.
Functional sight and hearing; ability to wear masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns.
Ability to operate all equipment essential to the job.
For teammates hired into a Surgical First Assistant role after December 31, 2026: obtain and maintain one of the following certifications: CSFA from NBSTSA, SA-C from ABSA, or CSA from NSAA.

Responsibilities

Participate in surgical preparation, including gathering supplies, opening the room, and assisting with lifting, transferring, positioning, preparing, and draping patients.
Anticipate surgeons’ needs and ensure required supplies are available before incision, while recognizing individual preferences.
Use aseptic surgical techniques to prepare materials, supplies, and equipment; assist with gowning and gloving; prepare and drape the surgical area; maintain a sterile field; provide instruments and related materials; hold retractors; and observe and report possible breaks in aseptic technique.
Maintain a clean, safe, and efficient operating room, including disinfecting and setting up the room, moving and operating trained equipment, and returning equipment after procedures.
Check equipment condition, arrange repair of damaged items, and notify appropriate personnel of equipment or supply problems.
Assist with training Surgical Technologists and new Surgical Assistants; participate in department and facility work teams and special projects.
Perform validated surgical activities under direct supervision of the surgeon when required, including activities documented in the caregiver’s education file.
Perform validated surgical activities under general supervision when delegated, including wound closure of deep capsules, muscle, subcutaneous tissue, and skin.
Perform validated activities without surgeon supervision when delegated, including specified patient positioning and preparation, tourniquet application, securing drains, applying dressings, casts, or immobilizers, and transferring patients safely from the surgical table.
Obtain competency confirmation from a sponsoring surgeon and submit supporting documentation to the medical executive committee at least every two years for approval or renewal.
Provide age-appropriate care based on knowledge of growth and development, patient status, and departmental policies and procedures.
Maintain assigned computer-based learning modules and annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications.
Operate equipment essential to the job and use required personal protective equipment.