Surgial Technologist First Assist

Baylor Scott & White Health•College Station, TX

About The Position

The Surgical Technologist First Assistant works as both a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and a First Assistant, supporting surgeons and surgical teams during major and complex procedures. The position works under a Registered Nurse’s direction as a CST and under a surgeon’s direction as a First Assistant. The role prepares operating rooms and sterile setups, ensures instruments and supplies are ready, and assists with patient positioning, prepping, and draping. During procedures, the First Assistant supports the surgeon by passing sterile supplies and equipment, holding retractors, performing directed surgical techniques within the Texas scope of practice, and assisting with wound care and specimens. The role also supports equipment and supply coordination, staff education, precepting, and mentoring.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited program.
Two years of experience.
Basic Life Support (BLS), or obtain BLS within 30 days of hire or transfer.
Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) certification from NBSTA or NCCT.
Good communication skills.
Excellent knowledge of operating room protocol.
Ability to work effectively with all hospital departments.
Excellent knowledge of patient protocols within a clinic setting.
Ability to work well with all members of office staff.
Ability to assist the physician in all aspects of the practice, including assisting in surgery.

Responsibilities

Ensure supplies, equipment, and instruments are available and working for each procedure.
Update surgeon preference cards for equipment, radiology, supplies, and notes.
Pull, open, and set up cases; coordinate with surgeons about equipment and supply needs before procedures; and assist in building specialty instrument trays.
Prepare the operating room according to procedure schedules, arrange sterile setups, wrap instruments for gas or steam sterilization, perform equipment quality control, report issues, and ensure the OR is clean before and after surgery.
Scrub for cases in major surgical services according to established procedures and standards, applying knowledge of anatomy, instruments, and surgeon preferences.
Educate and prepare surgical teams according to the procedure.
Assist with or perform patient positioning, prepping, and draping.
Assist the surgeon during procedures by passing sterile supplies and equipment, holding retractors, and responding to the surgical team’s needs.
Tie off vessels and tissues, repair incisions, cut and cauterize tissues, stabilize drains, and apply wound dressings as needed.
Perform complex surgical techniques as directed by the physician and within the Texas scope of practice.
Receive surgical specimens according to protocol, notify the circulating nurse, and deliver specimens to the appropriate location.
Contact the pharmacy for prescriptions in partnership with a Registered Nurse or circulating nurse.
Coordinate with system-vetted vendors for the surgeon and department; research and obtain quotes for capital purchases, equipment, and supplies with specialty coordinators; and order supplies.
Stay current on surgical equipment, trends, and techniques through in-services or internal education programs.
Serve as a resource and preceptor for staff learning the scrub role, and support the department through in-services, precepting, and mentoring.