Surgery Center at Akron General - First Assistant - Full-Time

About the role

The First Assistant (FA) serves as a member of the healthcare team and provides direct support to the surgeon during a surgical procedure by performing various tasks including preparing the surgical site, passing instruments, controlling bleeding, and handling tissues. This is a full-time position with no calls, weekends, or holidays.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patient for surgery ensuring safe positioning.
• Ensure proper supplies, equipment, and instruments are ready for use; maintain integrity of instruments.
• Absorb 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.

Requirements

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.

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.