Surgical First Assistant

Covenant Health•Knoxville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical First Assistant assists the surgeon throughout the surgical procedure under directed delegation and supervision. Duties may include tying or cauterizing vessels, muscle, or fat under the surgeon’s immediate direction or observation; closing skin with sutures or staples; and applying dressings. The surgeon is responsible for verifying that closure is acceptable and appropriate. The role provides surgical first-assistant and, as assigned, scrub-technologist support before, during, and after procedures. It requires collaboration with surgeons and the operating-room team, knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique, and adherence to aseptic practice, patient-positioning procedures, safety standards, and applicable policies. The position may involve cross-training across multiple surgical specialties.

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 obtain and 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

Under the supervision of a physician or surgeon, provide surgical first-assistant duties before, during, and after surgical procedures.
Follow unit standards and processes to deliver age-appropriate care and demonstrate accountability in meeting patient and family needs.
Participate in identifying cost-effective measures for clinical care.
Collaborate with the surgeon and other team members using knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique.
Apply dressings aseptically when delegated by the surgeon.
Assist with safely transferring patients to and from the operating room and use proper positioning techniques and aids to protect nerves and bony prominences and maintain circulation.
Report bilateral pedal and posterior tibial pulses to the circulator and surgeon when appropriate.
Recognize safety hazards and take appropriate preventive or corrective action throughout the perioperative experience.
Plan, set up, perform, and clean up assigned surgical procedures as a first assistant and/or scrub technologist.
Demonstrate knowledge of case-related equipment and instrumentation and safely operate specialized equipment such as lasers, microscopes, tourniquets, endoscopes, drills, and saws.
Maintain instrument and equipment integrity, perform room turnover and terminal cleaning, and use supplies appropriately and cost-effectively.
Assist with daily assignments when called upon, ensure needed supplies and implants are available for assigned cases, and report preference-map changes to the coordinator.
Apply aseptic principles when scrubbing, gowning, gloving, and setting up sterile fields; distinguish sterile from unsterile items, correct contamination, and continuously monitor sterility.
Perform sharp, sponge, and instrument counts according to policy, including proper counting technique and procedures for incorrect counts; understand count exceptions when functioning as a surgical assistant.
Complete pre- and postoperative rounding when appropriate.
Follow policies, procedures, and safety standards; complete required annual education assignments.
Work toward established goals and objectives and participate in quality-improvement initiatives as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned.