Surgical Tech First Assist

Trinity Health•Mishawaka, IN

About The Position

The surgical assistant is responsible for assisting the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative and post-operative duties and procedures at all times.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited surgical assisting program.
CSFA, CSA, or SA-C certification required.
2 years in operating room as a surgical technologist or current certification.
Knowledge of operating room and patient safety procedures.
Uses initiative and creativity in fulfilling the professional role.
Functions as a teacher, consultant and leader.
Work is substantially complex and varied and requires the selection and application of technical and detailed guidelines.
Analytical ability is needed to gather and interpret data where results/answers can be found after analysis of several facts.
Requires independent judgement to identify, select and apply the most appropriate of available guidelines and procedures as well as interpret precedent.
Skilled in effective participation on surgical team, in safety and infection control procedures and in equipment maintenance.
Remains flexible to the unit's needs and changing situations.

Responsibilities

Actively demonstrates the organization’s mission and core values, and conducts oneself at all times in a manner consistent with these values.
Knows and adheres to all laws and regulations pertaining to patient health, safety and medical information.
Preoperative – The surgical assistant facilitates the safe positioning of the patient according to the surgeon's preference, patient's anatomical and physiological limits and surgical procedure to be performed. A preoperative introduction visit may be done to assess the surgical site to better aid in positioning. Assists circulator and anesthesia provider in preparation of the patient to include but not limited to: Foley catheter placement, tourniquet application, placement of intravenous catheters, cricoid pressure application, and other procedures as needed.
Intraoperative – The surgical assistant performs specific tasks according to individual surgeon preference utilizing appropriate techniques including, but not limited to: incision and layered closure of surgical sites, providing exposure, achieving hemostasis, by means of injection, manual and topical methods and application of appropriate energy sources, manipulation and dissection/removal of tissues, aides in implanting, securing and/or removal of devices and drains and applying appropriate dressing material specific to procedure.
Postoperative – The surgical assistant applies any other specific dressing material such as splints or casts, assesses skin integrity, assists in transfer of the patient and follows the patient to recovery if needed or directed by surgeon.
Specialty Procedures – The surgical assistant who has appropriate training also performs under surgeon supervision other procedures including but not limited to: vein and graft harvesting and graft and implant preparation.
Practices performance improvement standards and promotes staff participation in PI activities.
Evaluates the patient’s response to care delivered and the level of outcome achievement.
Applies theoretical knowledge of asepsis, wound healing, infectious diseases process, surgical anatomy and physiology, safety issues and operative techniques for surgical procedures on which he/she assists.
Additional Duties – The surgical assistant performs additional duties as delegated by the surgeon or facility in cooperation with state and local policy.
Performs other related duties as assigned or as workload or staffing variations require.