Surgical Assistant - Weekend Program

Advocate Health•Milwaukee, WI

7d•$36 - $53

About The Position

The Surgical Assistant participates in the preparatory steps of surgery and supports the operating team in preparing the room, gathering supplies, and lifting, transferring, positioning, preparing, and draping patients. The role anticipates the surgeon’s needs, ensures required supplies are available before incision, and helps maintain a clean, safe, efficient environment conducive to optimal patient care. This includes using aseptic technique, maintaining the sterile field, assisting with gowning and gloving, handling instruments and retractors, and observing and reporting potential breaks in aseptic technique. The Surgical Assistant sets up and disinfects the operating room, moves and operates trained equipment, returns equipment after procedures, checks equipment condition, and reports supply or equipment problems. The role also helps train Surgical Technologists and new Surgical Assistants, participates in department and facility work teams, and may assist with special projects. Within documented and validated competencies, the Surgical Assistant may perform specified surgical activities under direct, general, or no surgeon supervision, as permitted for the activity. These may include wound closure, patient positioning and preparation, tourniquet application, securing drains, applying dressings, casts, or immobilizers, and transferring patients. Competencies must be documented and approved or renewed at least every two years through the specified process. The role provides age-appropriate care and maintains annual educational requirements for applicable hospital-based certifications. This is a full-time, 36-hour weekend program: Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., plus one 12-hour shift during the week. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the employee must work that holiday. Call is not required, but may be picked up voluntarily. The listed pay range is $35.50–$53.25.

Requirements

Typically requires 3 years of experience in a Surgical Technologist or Surgical Assistant position.
Advanced training beyond high school, including completion of an accredited or approved Surgical Technology program.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
Obtain NBSTSA Surgical Technologist (CST) certification within 12 months, unless the department leader determines it is not required.
Obtain either NBSTSA Surgical First Assist (CSFA) certification or NSAA Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) certification within 12 months, unless the department leader determines it is not required.
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 in aseptic surgical techniques for preparing supplies and equipment for surgical procedures and suturing.
Ability to anticipate and recognize physicians’ needs and changes requiring unplanned interventions, and respond appropriately.
Remain current with assigned computer-based learning modules.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
Basic computer proficiency.
Ability to withstand 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 and operate all equipment essential to the job.
Functional sight and hearing; ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above the shoulders, and twist frequently during a shift.
Wear masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns; work with continuous exposure to mechanical, electrical, chemical, radiation, blood, and body-fluid hazards.

Responsibilities

Participate in surgical preparation, gather supplies, open rooms for cases, and assist with lifting, transferring, positioning, preparing, and draping patients.
Anticipate surgeons’ needs and ensure required supplies are available before incision, recognizing individual preferences.
Maintain a clean, safe, efficient patient-care environment and use aseptic technique in preparing materials, supplies, equipment, and the sterile field.
Assist with gowning and gloving, prepare and drape the surgical area, provide instruments and related materials, hold retractors, and report possible breaks in aseptic technique.
Disinfect and set up the operating room, move and operate trained equipment, and return equipment after procedures.
Check equipment condition, arrange repair of damaged items, and notify appropriate personnel of equipment or supply problems.
Assist in training Surgical Technologists and new Surgical Assistants; participate in department and facility work teams and assist with special projects.
Perform specific validated surgical competencies under the applicable level of surgeon supervision, including activities such as wound closure, positioning and preparation, tourniquet application, securing drains, applying dressings, casts, or immobilizers, and patient transfer.
Maintain documented validated competencies, provide sponsoring-surgeon confirmation, and submit documentation to the medical executive committee at least every two years for approval or renewal.
Provide care appropriate to patients’ ages and developmental needs in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
Maintain annual educational requirements for applicable hospital-based certifications.
Work the scheduled weekend and weekday shifts and work a holiday when it falls on a weekend.

Benefits

Paid Time Off programs
Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program
Career development programs
Shift and on-call premium pay, where applicable
Incentive pay for select positions
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance