Surgical First Assist- Surgical Svs Personnel

Overview

Surgical First Assist (SFA) – Surgical Services Support Personnel role at Health First. Under the direction and supervision of the surgeon, the SFA is fully engaged in quality care and patient safety by providing aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions to help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal patient results. The SFA also performs preoperative and postoperative duties to optimize patient safety and experience.

When not under direct supervision of the surgeon, they will perform technical and support activities in the operating room as a Surgical Technologist under the direction of a registered nurse.

• Properly position the patient in accordance with surgeon directions to give the best exposure for the procedure and considerations for comfort and safety, including padding points of pressure and protecting against nerve damage.
• Provide visualization of the operative site by placing and securing retractors, packing with sponges, tissue manipulation, suctioning, irrigating or sponging, and handling suture materials to aid the surgeon and maintain proper view.
• Assist with hemostasis (clamping, cauterizing, tying and ligating vessels or tissues, applying hemostatic clips, and using local hemostatic agents) and temporary hemostasis (tourniquets, vessel loops, clamps, direct digital pressure).
• Participate in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques as appropriate.
• Assist with closure of body planes using running or interrupted sutures, subcuticular closures, and related wound closure methods per surgeon’s directive; may involve local anesthetic administration.
• Select and apply appropriate wound dressings and immobilizing dressings as needed.
• Assist in securing drainage systems to tissue.
• Observe proper technique to prepare operating rooms with instruments, sutures, supplies, and equipment; maintain sterile fields and setups.
• Anticipate needs of the surgeon and surgical team, passing instruments, sutures, sponges, and supplies as required.
• Handle and care for instruments and equipment, report any faulty items for replacement per policy.
• Precept, train and educate staff and team members as appropriate.
• Maintain knowledge of procedures and equipment to support safe, efficient surgical operations.

• Education:
  
  Graduate of a Surgical Assisting Program.
• Work Experience:
  
  None
• Licensure:
  None
• Certification:
  American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA BLS) Healthcare Provider Completion Card prior to start date and maintained.
• Certification in lieu of education:
  Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) from NBSTSA or American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA).

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English; ability to perform basic math; extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
• Reliable transportation with ability to respond from location within 30 minutes of assigned facility when on call.
• Flexibility and adaptability with daily schedule and tasks; ability to respond to stressful or life-threatening situations.
• Detail-oriented with ability for continuous concentration; excellent customer service skills with medical staff and patient care teams.
• Motivated to complete milestones and competencies; ability to receive constructive criticism and apply to performance.
• Ability to work autonomously while consulting chain of command as appropriate.

• Work Experience:
  
  Previous experience as a surgical assistant or surgical technologist.
• Certification:
  Certified First Assistant (CSFA) by NBSTSA.

• Physically agile; may require walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing, or crouching frequently.
• May occasionally lift or move objects up to 50 pounds; may require movement in tight spaces and various positions.
• May require travel between facilities; may require use of personal vehicle.

Health First offers a diverse and inclusive culture supporting growth, collaboration, and better patient care outcomes.