Certified Surgical Assistant

General Summary

A Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) is an advanced allied health professional who directly assists surgeons during operations, including tissue retraction, hemostasis, suturing, and wound closure. They maintain a sterile field and anticipate the surgeon's needs, working in hospitals or surgical centers under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a safe, comfortable, confidential, and therapeutic environment for patients/families in accordance with hospital standards, including sensitivity to individual patient comfort and privacy through verbal and non-verbal communications utilizing age-appropriate measures.
• Possesses and consistently demonstrates a clear understanding of surgical conscience through preparation and maintenance of sterility in the surgical environment, while preserving stringent infection control practices to ensure optimal patient care.
• Provides quality service for each procedure through attentiveness and appropriate anticipation of the needs of the surgeon.
• Properly identifies and demonstrates safe, appropriate, intended use of surgical instrumentation, supplies, and equipment.
• Uses surgical instruments to assist the surgeon and facilitate surgical intervention.
• Demonstrates understanding of intraoperative diagnostic procedures.
• Demonstrates positive professional verbal and non-verbal communication skills and recognizes their importance in the surgical setting by promoting, maintaining, and working to improve meaningful, positive, and open communication and cooperation between all members of the health care team always.
• Identifies members of the surgical team with respect, recognizing their roles and scope of practice.
• Performs all duties with knowledge and skill necessary to provide appropriate age-specific care within all surgical specialties, including Cesarean Sections and trauma.
• Affords proficiency in positioning, prepping, and draping the patient, either in collaboration with the surgical team or independently, as directed by the surgeon.
• Recognizes the importance of National Patient Safety Goals to include patient and surgical site identification processes with active participation in the same. Assures accountability for verifying the correct surgical site immediately prior to initiating the surgical incision.
• Actively participates in the departmental orientation process as a preceptor for new employees on all skill levels, as appropriate, and positively contributes toward their success.
• Observes and reports patient’s condition for signs, symptoms, and unusual occurrences, recognizing life-threatening situations and responding appropriately within their scope of practice.
• Participates in preparation of assigned OR with team, to include case set up, room turnover, equipment set up and return of same to storage for scheduled procedures, emergency procedures, and during “on call” rotation.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, meetings, and workshops. Maintains all mandatory requirements and educational offerings designated by Bayhealth. Participates in staff meetings and departmental meetings at least 8 times per year.
• Maintains credentials; seeks out and participates in lifelong learning opportunities.
• Follows established departmental policies and procedures, standards of care, and actively demonstrates understanding and commitment to departmental performance improvement plan, and organizational safety and infection control guidelines.
• Bases practice behaviors on the knowledge and application of the scope of practice as defined by practice standards and the facility guidelines for practice.
• Performs role only as First Assistant or surgical technologist and not concurrently.
• Actively supports the hospital mission of collaborative networking to satisfy community needs.
• Provides service consistent with the hospital's philosophy statement of delivering compassionate, competent care while assuming personal responsibility, promoting wellness, respecting diversity, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Verbalizes knowledge and understanding of the infectious process, defense mechanisms, and the phases of wound healing.
• Verbalizes understanding of the principles of anesthesia administration relevant to the CSA role.
• Provides retraction under the direct supervision of the surgeon.
• Handles tissue safely.
• Provides exposure of the operative site to promote a safe and effective surgical procedure.
• Promotes and maintains hemostasis.
• Assists with and/or performs wound closure.
• Cleans wound and correctly applies appropriate dressing.
• Connects and stabilizes all drains that have been placed/sutured into place.
• Assists with the application of casts or plaster splints.
• Maintains accountability for accurate counts of sponges, needles, and instruments during surgery.
• Performs duties as captain or co-captain of a specialty team if assigned.
• Willingly accepts assignments wherever needed.

Qualifications

Required Education, Credential(s) and Experience:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED; Certificate Program First Assistant
• Credential(s): Certified Surgical Assistant; Basic Life Support Or Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA)
• Experience: Required: Previous surgical experience. Preferred: Current experience.

Skills

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of surgical procedures and techniques.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions precisely.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Physical stamina and dexterity to perform manual tasks.

Benefits

Bayhealth Medical Center offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package (for eligible positions) including:

• Generous Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Matching 401(k)/403(b) Plans
• Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Disability and Life Insurance options
• On Site Child Care
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flex Spending Accounts
• Plus, an array of Voluntary Benefits to include Critical Care Coverage and more!