First Assistant

Position Overview

A surgical first assistant plays a vital role in a successful surgical procedure. They are primarily responsible for assisting surgeons, such as by arranging and handing over tools, holding open incisions, and dressing surgical wounds.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Cauterizing wounds and vessels
• Packing sponges in the body
• Positioning the patient to maintain circulation and access for the surgeon
• Placing clamps and sutures
• Closing skin with adhesives, sutures or staples, etc.
• Applying direct pressure on veins and tissue
• Performing or aiding in patient suction, drainage, and irrigation
• Hemostasis: The stopping of excess bleeding and blood flow
• Immobilizing patients on the operating table
• Possess a working knowledge of operating room procedures with respect to attire, infection control, sterile technique, maintaining integrity of the sterile field, and draping the surgical patient within the surgeon’s guidelines.
• Provide operating room support to physicians and surgeons, including assisting surgeons during procedures and passing required instruments during surgery.
• Comply with all HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Communicates effectively and courteously with visitors, physicians, and their office staff, patients, and employees. Maintains patient, physician, and employee privacy and confidentiality per policy.
• Serves as a resource to other members of the health care team.

What We Offer

• Competitive wages
• Opportunities to better yourself professionally
• Health, Dental & Vision Coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
• Education Assistance
• Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Travel Assistance when 100+ miles from home for business or vacation
• Free parking

Required Skills

• High School Diploma/GED
• Completion of a Surgical Program.
• NBSTSA Surgical First Assistant Certification is required.
• Two years of Certified Surgical First Assistant experience in multiple specialties or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Able to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Other Skills and Abilities

• General familiarity with medical terminology as it pertains to anatomy and surgical procedures in an operating room.