SURGICAL FIRST ASSISTANT

Covenant Health•Knoxville, TN

About The Position

The Surgical First Assistant assists the surgeon throughout surgical procedures under directed delegation and supervision. As directed by the surgeon, the role may include tying or cauterizing vessels, muscle, or fat; closing skin with sutures or staples; and placing dressings. The surgeon is responsible for verifying that closures are acceptable and appropriate. The position supports patient care before, during, and after procedures, helps maintain a safe and sterile operating environment, and may perform duties as a surgical first assistant and/or scrub technologist. The role includes preparing and cleaning the assigned procedure area, handling instruments and specialized equipment, and supporting the surgical team’s patient positioning, transfer, and perioperative care. Cross-training in multiple specialty areas may be provided.

Requirements

Must have previously worked as a Surgical Technologist (CST or non-certified CST).
Must have experience performing certified surgical technologist duties in an operating suite sufficient to meet the experience requirements of one of the listed certifying bodies.
Must maintain one of the following certifications: Certified First Assistant (CSFA) from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA); Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) from the National Surgical Assistants Association (NSAA); or Surgical Assistant-Certified (SA-C) from the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA).

Responsibilities

Assist the surgeon before, during, and after procedures under the surgeon’s supervision, providing age-appropriate care and supporting patient and family needs.
Collaborate with the surgeon and surgical team using knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique.
Apply dressings aseptically when delegated by the surgeon.
Assist with safe patient transfers to and from the operating room; position patients appropriately, use positioning aids, and report pedal and posterior tibial pulses when appropriate.
Recognize safety hazards and take preventive or corrective action to maintain a safe perioperative environment.
Plan, set up, perform, and clean up assigned procedures as a surgical first assistant and/or scrub technologist.
Use and maintain case-related equipment and instrumentation, including special equipment such as lasers, microscopes, tourniquets, endoscopes, drills, and saws.
Perform room turnover and terminal cleaning, use supplies cost-effectively, ensure assigned cases have needed supplies and implants, and report needed preference-map changes to the coordinator.
Establish and maintain the sterile field; use proper scrubbing, gowning, gloving, and setup techniques; recognize and correct contamination; and monitor sterility.
Perform sharp, sponge, and instrument counts according to policy, including proper counting technique and procedures for incorrect counts.
Assist with daily assignments when called upon and, when appropriate, make an effort to conduct preoperative and postoperative rounding.
Follow policies, procedures, and safety standards; complete annual education assignments; work toward goals and objectives; and participate in quality-improvement initiatives as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned.