Surgical Assistant – St. Mary's Hospital

About the role

Bon Secours is a faith-based and patient-focused organization dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of all people through exceptional patient care. The Surgical Assistant position at St. Mary's Hospital is an entry-level role aimed at providing care to patients undergoing surgical procedures under the supervision of a provider.

Responsibilities

• Performs surgical hand scrub, gowning, and gloving according to policy.
• Routinely functions as first or second assist on assigned cases.
• Fulfills the scrub role as assigned, demonstrating knowledge and implementation of sterile technique.
• Checks all instruments to ensure they are in proper working order prior to use.
• Assists with sponge, sharps, and instrument counts per policy and procedures.
• Handles specimens in accordance with hospital policy and procedure.
• Protects patient information based on hospital policy and government regulations to assure information is kept confidential.
• Participates in unit and hospital efforts to reduce adverse patient care events.
• Actively participates in the Universal Protocol procedures that assure correct site surgery.
• Communicates effectively with the circulating nurse upon observance of any missing or malfunctioning instruments and/or indication of any compromise to sterility.
• Reports any implants, devices, catheters, drains, and packing to the circulator.
• Aids in OR case preparation: Utilizes surgeon’s preference list to procure equipment and arrange proper placement in the OR; Utilizes aseptic technique when establishing the sterile field, opening supplies and instruments; Assists with monitoring and maintaining the sterile field.
• Aids in patient positioning, skin clipping, and prepping; assists with foley catheterization and draping.
• Under the direct observation of the surgeon, may: Insert secondary trocars; Place instruments through trocars; Utilize power equipment and stapling devices (other than skin stapling); Inject infiltration local anesthetic medications excluding Exparel.
• During surgical procedures: Use sponges and suction; Cauterization processes; Appropriately place and manipulate retractors (with or without padding); Irrigate the wound site(s); Cut suture material, handle hemostats, and tie suture; Provides assistance securing drains to tissue.
• Closes the surgical wound: May assist suture closing of fascia layer under the direct observation of the surgeon; Sutures the subcutaneous tissues and skin including with the use of a skin stapler if needed.
• Applies appropriate wound dressings, including medicated dressings.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• Completion of a Surgical Assistant Program (required).
• BLS Basic Life Support – American Heart Association (preferred upon hire, must obtain from approved source prior to direct patient care).
• Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA), or National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA) (required).
• (If employed in Virginia prior to July 1, 2020, preferred; if employed in Cincinnati, preferred).
• If employed in Virginia, must be registered with the Virginia Board of Medicine.
• One year health care experience (preferred).

Qualifications

• Hard/Tech/Clinical Skills: Monitor patient conditions during treatment; Completes specific, routine task; Requires basic reading, writing, or simple arithmetic skill; May operate basic equipment/machinery.
• Soft/Interpersonal Skills: Attention to detail; Critical thinking; Teamwork; Conflict resolution; Active listening; Relationship building; Demonstrates a caring attitude and intentional caring behaviors in interpersonal interactions and patient/family care; Communicates clearly all pertinent patient information to other members of the health care team.
• Surgical Conscience: Anticipate Needs; Flexible; Assists with performing circulator skills and tasks; Takes direction; Able to work under pressure; Professionalism; Move with a sense of urgency.

Skills

• Hard/Tech/Clinical Skills: Monitor patient conditions during treatment; Completes specific, routine task; Requires basic reading, writing, or simple arithmetic skill; May operate basic equipment/machinery.
• Soft/Interpersonal Skills: Attention to detail; Critical thinking; Teamwork; Conflict resolution; Active listening; Relationship building; Demonstrates a caring attitude and intentional caring behaviors in interpersonal interactions and patient/family care; Communicates clearly all pertinent patient information to other members of the health care team.
• Surgical Conscience: Anticipate Needs; Flexible; Assists with performing circulator skills and tasks; Takes direction; Able to work under pressure; Professionalism; Move with a sense of urgency.

Benefits

Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible); Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HSA/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts; Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, backup care for children and elders; Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support.