CST - FIRST ASSISTANT

Position Summary:

The Certified Surgical Assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. In addition to intraoperative duties, the surgical assistant also performs preoperative and postoperative duties to better facilitate proper patient care. The surgical assistant to the surgeon during the operation does so under the direction and supervision of that surgeon and in accordance with hospital policy and appropriate laws and regulations.

Position Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited surgical assisting program
• A minimum of one year of first assisting in various OR Specialties
• Three to five years of recent surgical experience as a Certified Scrub Technician
• Current CPR/BLS certification
• Extensive experience scrubbing and first assisting in Orthopedics ideal

Essential Functions (Responsibilities/Accountabilities):

• Determine specific equipment needed per procedure
• Review surgical consent, confirming procedure and special needs
• Select and display x-rays for surgeon's reference
• Assist in moving and positioning of patient, including placement of pneumatic
• tourniquet if needed
• Actively participate in Surgical "Time-out"
• Drape patient within surgeon's guidelines
• Provide retraction of tissue and organs for optimal visualization with regard to tissue type and appropriate retraction instrument and/or technique
• Assist in maintaining hemostasis by direct pressure, use and application of appropriate surgical instrument for task, placement of ties, placement of suture ligatures,
• application of chemical hemostatic agents, or other measures as directed by the
• surgeon
• Use of electrocautery mono and bi-polar
• Clamp, ligate and cut tissue per surgeon's directive
• Maintain competency on all new surgical equipment and devices
• Maintain integrity of sterile field
• Close all wound layers (fascia, subcutaneous and skin) as per surgeon's directive
• Insert drainage tubes per surgeon's directive
• Select and apply wound dressings
• Assist with resuscitation of patient during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events in the operating room
• Perform any other duties or procedures incident to surgical procedures deemed necessary as directed by the surgeon
• Maintain knowledge of job-related duties working within the hospital's policies and procedures.
• Treat and handles all patient information as confidential.

The responsibilities listed above are not all-inclusive; other activities may be required in support of the hospital's goals and objectives.