Certified Surgical First Assistant

Office of Dr. Richard

A. Berger, Orthopedic Surgery

Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH

Primary travel to offsite surgical facilities in:

• Chesterton, IN
• Oakbrook, IL
• Lincoln Park, IL
• Pleasant Prairie, WI

(

Note:

occasional work may also occur at main offices / facilities as needed in the Chicago / greater metro area.)

The OR Surgical Assistant will provide intraoperative, perioperative, and supporting services to Dr. Berger in orthopedic surgical cases across multiple offsite locations. The role requires frequent travel, flexibility, and ability to work seamlessly across different surgical facilities. The Surgical Assistant works under the direct supervision of the orthopedic surgeon, collaborating with operating room teams, anesthesia, nursing, and support staff to ensure safe, efficient, and high‑quality patient care.

• Review the surgical schedule in advance, obtain the case history, imaging, special instrumentation or implant needs
• Coordinate with the surgical facility / hospital staff to ensure OR setup, sterile instruments, implants, and disposables are available
• Assist with patient positioning, prepping, skin sterilization, and draping
• Verify patient identity, operative site, and consent documentation in conjunction with surgeon
• Maintain sterile field protocols and assist with gowning/gloving of surgical team

• Serve as the first or second assistant (as permitted by state/facility) — help retract, suction, maintain exposure, assist with instrumentation, suture / close layers, place drains or devices, apply dressings
• Anticipate surgeon’s needs, pass instruments, manage implants, and maintain operative efficiency
• Monitor tissue handling, maintain hemostasis, assist with cautery, irrigation, and suction
• Assist in the insertion, positioning, and securing of orthopedic fixation devices, grafts, screws, plates, etc.
• Coordinate with scrub techs, circulators, anesthesia, and other OR staff
• Assist during intraoperative imaging (fluoroscopy) and navigation if applicable
• Document intraoperative events, counts, and implant usage as required
• Assist in applying final dressings, splints, or immobilization devices
• Aid with patient transfer to recovery area (PACU)
• Clean, decontaminate, and turnover the OR between cases as needed
• Ensure surgical instruments and trays are properly handled, cleaned, and returned
• Liaise with facility staff, vendors, and implant reps to ensure appropriate setup
• Manage scheduling logistics, travel time, and resource mobilization between sites
• Communicate proactively about delays, equipment needs, or facility constraints
• Assist in coordinating staff coverage or backup support across sites

• Adhere strictly to aseptic technique, sterile field integrity, infection control, and OR safety protocols
• Participate in preoperative time-outs, surgical checklists, and site verification
• Comply with facility, state, and federal regulatory requirements (e.g. OSHA, HIPAA, JCAHO)
• Report adverse events, near misses, or safety issues promptly
• Maintain professional continuing education, certification, and skills competency

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology program, or equivalent training (certified surgical technologist preferred)
• Additional training or experience as a First Assistant / surgical assistant in orthopedic cases preferred
• Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification; additional ACLS or specialty certifications a plus

• Minimum 1–4 years of surgical assisting or scrub tech experience, ideally in orthopedic surgery
• Experience with orthopedic instrumentation, implant systems, fixation hardware, and grafts
• Prior exposure to multiple surgical facility settings or mobile/rotating OR assignments preferred
• Competence in intraoperative imaging, navigation, or fluoroscopy assistance is a plus

• Excellent manual dexterity, hand‑eye coordination, and instrument handling
• Strong understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy, orthopedic techniques, and implant systems
• Ability to anticipate surgeon needs and adapt to changing…