Surgical First Assistant - Specialty Orthopedic Surgery - PRN

CHRISTUS Health • Texarkana, TX

9d

About The Position

As defined by the American College of Surgeons, surgical assistants provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. In addition to intraoperative duties, the surgical assistant performs preoperative and postoperative duties to facilitate proper patient care. The role works under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and in accordance with hospital policy and applicable laws and regulations.

The surgical assistant is responsible for assisting the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative duties and procedures. The role facilitates safe patient positioning according to the surgeon’s preference, the patient’s anatomical and physiological limits, and the procedure. A preoperative introduction visit may be performed to assess the surgical site and assist with positioning.

The surgical assistant helps the circulator and anesthesia provider prepare the patient, performs procedure-specific tasks according to surgeon preference, and may perform other procedures when appropriately trained and supervised. Additional duties may be delegated by the surgeon in cooperation with state and local policy.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduation from an accredited Surgical First Assist Program, a State Board-accredited Vocational School of Nursing, or a School of Surgical Technology.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Certified Surgical Technologist First Assistant certification.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of Surgical Tech experience preferred.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Meet the expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
• Assist the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative duties and procedures.
• Facilitate safe patient positioning based on surgeon preference, the patient’s anatomical and physiological limits, and the procedure; a preoperative visit may be conducted to assess the surgical site.
• Assist the circulator and anesthesia provider with patient preparation, including Foley catheter placement, tourniquet application, intravenous catheter placement, cricoid pressure application, and other procedures as needed.
• Perform procedure-specific tasks according to surgeon preference, including incision and layered closure, providing exposure, achieving hemostasis, tissue manipulation and dissection or removal, assisting with implantation, securing or removing devices and drains, and applying appropriate dressings.
• Apply procedure-specific dressing materials, including splints or casts, as appropriate.
• Assess skin integrity, assist with patient transfer, and accompany the patient to recovery if needed or directed by the surgeon.
• When appropriately trained, perform other procedures under surgeon supervision, including vein and graft harvesting and graft and implant preparation.
• Perform additional duties delegated by the surgeon in cooperation with state and local policy.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED