Lincoln Park Center for Advanced Orthopedic Surgery - First Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

The First Assistant (FA) serves as a member of the healthcare team and provides direct support to the surgeon during a surgical procedure by providing assistance with various tasks including preparing the surgical site, passing instruments, control bleeding, and handling tissues. The FA assumes appropriate responsibilities in the intraoperative area by scrubbing, closing incisions, assisting the RN circulator, setting up and breaking down surgical procedures, pulling and putting away supplies and equipment, and environmental service duties.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare patient for surgery ensuring safe positioning.
• Ensure proper supplies, equipment, and instruments are ready for use; maintain integrity of instruments.
• Assist in gowning of other personnel and draping of patient.
• Pass instruments to surgeon and/or assistant as appropriate.
• Hold open incisions and provide wound exposure; control bleeding.
• Handle and manipulate tissues; prepare and preserve specimens.
• Suture and close incisions and apply dressing as needed.
• Verify name, strength, and dosage of medication with circulator; confirm, label, and place on surgical field.
• Knowledge of surgeon preferences, procedures, instrumentation, and equipment.
• May operate sterilizer, lights, suction machine, and other designated equipment.
• Follow the center exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens.
• Report observed or suspected breaks in sterile technique and act according to policy.
• Ensure proper counting of sponges, instruments, and sharps.
• Communicate needs to circulators to ensure efficient and uninterrupted progress of procedure.
• Clean and disinfect all tables, counter surfaces, stands, and floor.
• Prepare cases for the next day.
• Transport patients and restock the operating room.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Graduate of an accredited Surgical First Assistant program
• CSFA certification verified via NBSTSA
• BLS certification (as required by individual ASC policy)

PREFERRED:

• One year of current First Assistant experience in an OR setting.