Cardiovascular Surgical First Assist | Fort Smith

Cardiovascular Surgical First Assist | Fort Smith

Department:
Operating Room

Shift: PRN

Working Hours:

with rotational call

Cardiovascular Surgical First Assistants, under professional supervision, perform specific significant surgical tasks. These include, but are not limited to: opening and closing surgical sites, placing trocars and tourniquets, exposing surgical sites, harvesting grafts, dissecting and removing tissues, altering tissues, implanting devices, and assisting in maintaining hemostasis. They also manage equipment and supplies such as monopolar, bipolar, harmonic, and ultrasonic scalpels, medications, and sponges.

Additional responsibilities include clamping, ligating, and cutting tissue, closing all wound layers (fascia, subcutaneous, and skin), inserting drainage tubes, and selecting and applying wound dressings. Under professional supervision, Surgical Assistants may also apply and remove splints/casts, place Foley catheters and IVs, and administer local anesthesia, as well as perform other requested and necessary procedures.

High school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of an accredited surgical first assistant program and passed certification.

Must be able to assist the cardiovascular surgeon with chest procedures, including the ability to sew vein grafts as directed by the surgeon. This includes independently performing endovenous harvesting or performing open or skip incision techniques to harvest saphenous veins for implantation. Must possess current knowledge of surgical principles and demonstrate the ability to perform fundamental surgical technology duties.

Must meet the criteria for and pass the National Surgical First Assistants Association exam and maintain current certification. Current BLS certification is also required.

The role involves lifting for stocking of supplies. Work is performed in a clean, air-conditioned environment with potential exposure to infectious diseases and toxic chemicals; appropriate safety measures are provided.