Surgical Assistant - Liberty Operating Room - Days

The Christ Hospital Health Network•Liberty Township, OH

About The Position

The Surgical Assistant performs specific tasks during surgical procedures to help the surgeon operate efficiently and safely, including identifying anatomy within the operative field. The role maintains positive customer relations, demonstrates competency and appropriate technical skills for assigned cases, 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 supervision of the surgeon, the Surgical Assistant positions patients according to the surgeon’s instructions while considering comfort, safety, and operative-site exposure. The role assists with visualization, hemostasis, closure of body planes, wound dressing selection and application, and securing drainage systems. It also provides expert assistance on major surgical cases. Independently during surgery and on call, the assistant harvests veins, radial arteries, tendons, bone, and skin, and performs plastic closure on plastic cases. The position communicates pertinent procedural information and changes in patient condition to physicians, coordinates the plan of care with team members using handoff processes, and completes incident or accident reports. It demonstrates leadership through motivating, educating, delegating, mentoring, participating in staff meetings and review activities, and supporting professional development. The Surgical Assistant manages workload and resources responsibly, understands cost and outcome considerations, and initiates care in a timely manner. It assesses patient and environmental safety, uses appropriate protective equipment, follows operating-room technique rules, reports breaks in technique and unusual patient events, and evaluates patients for possible positioning-related injury after procedures. The role stays current with new technologies in relevant specialty areas.

Requirements

Two years of college or specialty-school education in surgical assisting.
Extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
Excellent eye-hand coordination and ability to stand for long periods.
Sound judgment and knowledge of scientific principles.
Competency in selected skills, demonstrated through hospital-provided instruction.
BLS certification 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Position patients as directed by the surgeon, taking patient comfort, safety, and operative-site exposure into account.
Assist with visualization of the operative site using retractors, sponges, digital tissue manipulation, suctioning, irrigation, sponging, suture manipulation, and appropriate body mechanics.
Assist with hemostasis using appropriate techniques.
Assist with closure of body planes, including subcutaneous, subcuticular, and skin closure techniques as directed by the surgeon.
Administer postoperative subcutaneous local anesthetic as directed by the surgeon.
Select and apply appropriate wound dressings, including occlusive, absorbent, and immobilizing dressings.
Assist in securing drainage systems to tissue.
Independently perform harvesting of veins, radial arteries, tendons, bone, and skin, 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 relevant to specialty areas.
Communicate pertinent procedural information and changes in patient condition to the physician.
Communicate the plan of care with team members and use handoff processes when relieved during procedures.
Complete patient- or personnel-related incident and accident reports in a timely manner.
Maintain professional relationships with physicians, customers, coworkers, superiors, and other departments.
Demonstrate leadership by motivating, educating, delegating, and mentoring peers.
Participate in staff meetings, professional growth and development, and self- and peer-review activities, including recognition of peers and staff.
Plan and implement patient care with awareness of cost and effective outcomes.
Initiate care in a timely manner and manage workload effectively.
Use time, equipment, and supplies appropriately, maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Use appropriate positioning equipment and assess patients after procedures for potential positioning-related injury, including skin assessment; report abnormal conditions and ensure treatment and documentation.
Assess patients and the environment for safety risks and proactively perform safety initiatives.
Prevent contamination and disease transmission using appropriate protective devices and equipment.
Observe operating-room technique rules and regulations, report breaks in technique to involved personnel and the O.R. charge RN, and report unusual patient events and problems to the charge nurse.