Surgical First Assistant PRN

The Surgical Assistant will function as a first assistant during surgical incision, excision, repair of pathology, and wound closure throughout the perioperative period on procedures for which privileges have been granted.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited surgical assistant program or certification from an accredited Board
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Expert Knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique
• Certification from an accredited surgical first assistant program

Essential Functions

• Maintains Patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Acts as a patient advocate
• Participates in preoperative assessment and planning for selected surgical patients in collaboration with peri-operative team members.
• Adheres to the Universal Protocol Policy by completing and participates in surgical time outs.
• Assists the
• Surgeon during the operative procedure:
• Visualization of the operative site:
• Provides the surgeon exposure through appropriate placement and securing of instruments and retractors
• Packing with sponges
• Digital manipulation of tissue
• Suctioning, irrigating, or sponging
• Manipulation of suture materials (i.e. loops, tags, running sutures)
• Proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstructing the surgeon’s view
• Utilize appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis:
• Clamping or cauterizing vessels or tissue
• Tying/ligating clamped vessels or tissue
• Applying hemostatic clips
• Placing local hemostatic agents
• Applying vessel loops
• Applying non-crushing clamps
• Applying direct digital pressure
• Utilize appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes:
• Utilizing running or interrupted sutures with absorbable or non-absorbable material of wound layers, including muscle and fascia