SUMMARY
Under the direction and supervision of the surgeon, the certified first assist will collaborate with the surgeon in performing a safe surgical procedure to maximize patient outcomes. First Assistant is a member of the surgical team and provides knowledge of surgical anatomy, operative techniques related to the operative procedure. Provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative duties, as well as preoperative and postoperative duties, under the direction and supervision of the surgeon.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Prepares rooms with appropriate instruments, sutures, supplies, and equipment necessary for the area of specialty. Monitors and restocks supplies.
Completes skin preparation and draping.
Opens sterile supplies and sets up for procedures.
Provides wound exposure through proper use of retractors so the surgeon may clearly view the operative site.
Through the use of suction and sponges, provides a dry field of operation to permit optimum vision of tissue, viscera, vessels, etc.
Provides homeostasis by use of clamps, cautery, ligation, and may complete partial wound closure subcutaneous tissues and skin only under direct supervision of the surgeon.
Applies in the application of special dressings such as circumferential elastic bandages and taping.
Assists in maintaining correct count of instruments, sutures, and sponges.
Decontaminates instruments, supplies, and equipment according to established policies and procedures; handles and stores instruments, equipment, and supplies appropriately.
Communicates and interfaces with team members, patients, and medical staff to ensure high-quality patient care.
Transports patients to and from the Operating room suite; positions patients according to the type of surgery.
Performs biological and chemical monitoring in accordance with quality assurance standards.
Adheres to TMC organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies, and standards.
Reports any unusual incidents to the circulating nurse.
Assists in identifying, collecting, and caring for specimens.
Assists in dismantling tables and instruments after procedure.
Assembles special operating tables such as fracture tables, positioning devices.
Performs related duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS
Employed Surgical First Assists cannot bill independently at any time.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Associate's Degree or equivalent from a two-year college in specialty area, plus accredited Surgical First Assist training program; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
EXPERIENCE
CSFA or CSA Certification plus a minimum of two years experience as a First Assist required.
LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION
Basic Life Support (BLS) and Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) or Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA) certifications required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of surgical assist procedures and best practices.
Knowledge of a surgical support required for a specialty such as orthopedics.
Skill in the sterilization and setup for different surgical procedures.
Skill in providing assistance during surgical procedures.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to listen and accurately interpret others' communication or instructions to take appropriate action.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
Ability to calculate figures and compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs and apply basic algebraic concepts.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.