Surgical Technician First Assist (CVOR)

Job Summary

The Surgical Technician First Assist provides direct support to surgeons during surgical procedures, ensuring efficient operative and invasive procedures by maintaining the sterile field, providing necessary instruments and supplies, and assisting in critical surgical tasks. This role requires advanced technical skills to support the surgical team, including positioning patients, retracting tissues, controlling bleeding, suturing, and applying dressings. The Surgical Technician First Assist collaborates with surgeons, nurses, and other surgical team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes and post-operative care.

Essential Functions

Functions as a scrub person during surgical procedures, preparing and organizing sterile supplies and instruments, maintaining an organized sterile field, and providing necessary instruments and supplies to the surgical team.

Performs first assistant duties, including:

• Providing exposure through instrument handling
• Using retractors, suctioning, and sponging techniques as directed by the surgeon
• Handling and dissecting tissues
• Clamping blood vessels
• Coagulating bleeding points
• Placing drains as instructed by the surgeon

Assists with wound closure, including:

• Suturing subcutaneous layers and skin
• Applying staples
• Dressing surgical sites per surgeon instructions

Ensures sterility and safety standards, conducting proper counting procedures with the RN circulator, following infection control protocols, and taking corrective actions if needed.

Prepares and transports surgical instruments for decontamination, ensuring proper handling and sterilization for future use.

Assists in post-procedure room turnover, ensuring procedural areas are properly cleaned and prepared for subsequent surgeries.

Performs other duties as assigned. Maintains regular and reliable attendance. Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

1-3 years of experience as a Surgical Technician or First Assist in an acute care setting required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in surgical techniques, aseptic principles, and sterile field maintenance
• Strong knowledge of surgical anatomy, instrumentation, and procedural workflows
• Ability to anticipate surgeon needs and respond quickly to intraoperative changes
• Strong attention to detail in surgical counting procedures, patient positioning, and procedural safety
• Effective communication and teamwork skills, ensuring smooth collaboration with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia providers
• Knowledge of infection control standards, regulatory compliance, and patient safety guidelines
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure surgical environment, demonstrating composure and professionalism

Licenses and Certifications

• CST - Certified Surgical Technologist required
• Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) through NBSTSA required or Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) through NSAA required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support required
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support preferred