Surgical Tech First Assist

About the Role

The Certified Surgical First Assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions to help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. This role also performs preoperative and postoperative duties to facilitate proper patient care, acting under the direction and supervision of the surgeon. The position is full-time, day shift with call, and mainly works in cardiac and vascular service lines, but may assist in the main OR if no cardiac or vascular cases are scheduled.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for surgery, including washing, shaving, and ensuring aseptic incision sites.
• Transport patients to the operating room, assist with positioning, and cover with sterile surgical drapes.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills and collaborate with surgeons, specialty team members, and other departments.
• Serve as a resource for staff and other disciplines.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and assist in their implementation.
• Utilize appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis, including:
• Clamping and/or cauterizing vessels or tissue.
• Tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue.
• Applying hemostatic clips.
• Applying local hemostatic agents.
• Applying tourniquets and understanding indications/contraindications for use with knowledge of side effects of extended use.
• Applying vessel loops.
• Applying noncrushing clamps.
• Applying direct digital pressure.
• Assume responsibility for repairs, ordering, and maintenance of supplies, equipment, lasers, and instrumentation related to the specialty service, under clinician direction.
• Assist in supervising the use of supplies and equipment for patient care and safety in all procedures.
• Utilize appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes, including:
• Running or interrupted sutures with absorbable or nonabsorbable material for wound layers, muscle, and fascia.
• Subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips.
• Closing skin via surgeon's directive (suture, staples, etc.).
• Postoperative subcutaneous injection of local anesthetic per surgeon's directive.
• Select and apply appropriate wound dressings, including:
• Liquid or spray occlusive materials.
• Absorbent material affixed with tape or circumferential wrapping.
• Immobilizing dressing (soft or rigid).
• Provide assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue.
• Participate in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques as appropriate.
• Provide visualization of the operative site by:
• Appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding.
• Packing with sponges.
• Digital manipulation of tissue.
• Suctioning, irrigating, or sponging.
• Manipulation of suture materials (e.g., loops, tags, running sutures).
• Proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeon's view.
• Position the patient according to the surgeon's directive, considering patient comfort and safety.
• Pad points of pressure: elbows, heels, knees, eyes, face, and axillary region.
• Ensure circulation is not impaired (tourniquet may be required).
• Guard against nerve damage.
• Discuss patient temperature with anesthesia personnel and employ methods to maintain the desired range.
• Be familiar with common positions related to the surgical procedure and use necessary equipment.
• Evaluate the patient for possible damage from positioning upon completion of the procedure, including skin assessment.
• Report abnormal conditions to the surgeon and carry out treatment and documentation.
• Support cost containment in the use of materials and equipment.
• Close all wound layers (fascia, subcutaneous, and skin) as per the surgeon's directive.
• Be familiar with different sutures and suturing techniques to provide the desired outcome.
• Demonstrate initiative in problem-solving related to patient and technical issues to improve Operating Room function.
• Perform responsibilities of a Surgical Technologist as needed or required.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Formal Surgical Technician Program completion from an accredited institution (community college, vocational school, university, hospital, or military).
• Graduate of an accredited Surgical First Assist Program.
• Current certification as a Certified First Assist (CFA) through the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants.
• Three years of current Operating Room experience is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of at least two surgical specialties with one year of experience in the selected specialty desired.
• Requires full range of motion, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.
• Advanced knowledge and skill in major operative surgical specialties performed.
• Advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and potential complications for procedures performed.
• Advanced knowledge and skill in aseptic surgical techniques for material, supply, and equipment preparation, and suturing.
• Ability to anticipate and recognize physician’s needs and changes requiring unplanned interventions, and respond appropriately.

Certifications & Licensure

• Cert Surgical Technician
• Cert First Assist through NBSTSA or ABSA (to be obtained within one year of hire/transfer date)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Certified Surgical Technologists (CST) OR Tech in Surgery-Certified (TSC)
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with Renewal