Surgical Technician First Assist

Memorial Healthcare•Owosso, MI

About The Position

Works under the supervision of the O.R. manager, associate manager, charge nurse, and Director of Surgical Services, and under the direction of the surgeon during procedures. The role supports safe, effective surgical care by preparing patients and the operating room, maintaining aseptic technique, anticipating surgical needs, and assisting with hemostasis, visibility, wound closure, and dressing. The position also involves patient- and family-centered care, ongoing competency maintenance, and collaboration with surgeons and other surgical team members to support appropriate postoperative care. The Surgical Technician First Assist must provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served and understand growth and development across the life span. The role requires the ability to follow complex directions, anticipate needed supplies and equipment, respond quickly in urgent situations, and maintain focus in fast-paced or stressful circumstances. The employee must communicate professionally with patients, families, surgeons, staff, and other customers, maintain confidentiality, and support the hospital’s mission, policies, standards, and code of ethical behavior.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Completion of an approved Surgical Technologist program.
Completion of or enrollment in a CSFA program.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification required upon hire and ongoing.
Previous surgery experience required.
Knowledge of aseptic technique, surgical instruments, appropriate sterilization methods, surgical procedures, and the special equipment and supplies needed to anticipate the surgeon’s needs.
Ability to travel independently throughout Memorial Healthcare facilities.
Ability to access patients on the surgery table and reach necessary equipment.
Ability to stand for long periods.
Ability to assist with transferring non-mobile patients and to push, pull, or carry items weighing 20–100 pounds as needed.
Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination for handling instruments and assisting the surgeon.
Proficiency with modern office, computer, and telephone equipment.
Ability to follow complex directions, anticipate needed items, work under pressure and physical strain, react quickly in urgent situations, and adapt while maintaining focus in fast-paced or stressful situations.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as policies, operating instructions, regulations, rules, and laws.
Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English with diverse populations.
Ability to identify instruments and supplies, hear communications in person or by phone, and see and hear for work-related purposes, including reading information in paper and electronic formats.
Ability to interact professionally, courteously, and tactfully with coworkers, hospital staff, administration, patients, physicians, the public, and internal and external customers.
Ability to remain calm when facing adversity; communicate openly, honestly, and tactfully; work as a team member; maintain a positive, cooperative, motivated, professional, and courteous manner; and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

Prepare supplies, equipment, and packs for operative procedures.
Apply aseptic technique, including proper scrubbing, gowning, and gloving for self and other surgical team members.
Identify and obtain needed supplies and equipment.
Assist in ensuring correct sponge, needle, and instrument counts.
Identify and label specimens appropriately.
Maintain a safe environment for patients and staff, including safe and effective use of equipment and technology.
Clean the operating room after each case.
Provide direct support to surgeons during surgical procedures.
Prepare and position patients to maintain circulation and provide access for the surgeon.
Maintain clear visibility for the surgeon using instruments such as retractors and sponges.
Control bleeding by cauterizing wounds and vessels, packing sponges in the body, placing clamps, and applying direct pressure to veins and tissue.
Perform or assist with patient suction, drainage, and irrigation.
Close surgical sites using sutures, staples, or adhesives.
Dress wounds appropriately.
Collaborate with doctors and other surgical team members to ensure appropriate postoperative care.
Maintain mandatory competencies and responsibility for personal surgical procedure competencies.
Attend assigned in-service education programs to learn new procedures and skills.
Seek assistance from professional staff when additional skill is required.
Demonstrate job-related patient-safety practices to support a safe environment and reduce the risk of adverse patient occurrences.
Support hospital mission, vision, values, standards of care, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality statements, corporate compliance plan, standards of behavior, customer service standards, and code of ethical behavior.
Provide care appropriate to patients’ age-specific needs in accordance with unit and division policies and procedures.
Perform other specific duties as assigned.