First Assist

First Assist Opportunity

Do you have the career opportunities as a First Assist you want with your current employer? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join Methodist Hospital Metropolitan which is part of the nation’s leading provider of healthcare services, HCA Healthcare.

Our teams are a committed, caring group of colleagues. Do you want to work as a First Assist where your passion for creating positive patient interactions is valued? If you are dedicated to caring for the well-being of others, this could be your next opportunity. We want your knowledge and expertise!

The Surgical First Assistant works as a member of the perioperative team under the direction of the surgeon. He/she performs responsibilities of both the Surgical Technologist and the Surgical First Assistant based on department needs and as directed by the unit director or designee. The Surgical First Assistant practices within the scope of the job description and performs clinical and technical skills under surgeon supervision to assist with carrying out a safe operation with optimal patient results.

This is done in collaboration with the circulating RN and other perioperative/OB team members.

Minimum Education, Experience, Training, Required Knowledge, Skill, Abilities and Other Job-Related Characteristics:

1.

Education:

Must have completed ALL of the following:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Successful completion of an accredited surgical first assistant training program.
• Meets ONE of the following:

• Graduate/completion of CAAHEP Surgical First Assistant, Surgical Assistant Program, Medical School Graduate OR an allied health professional with 2250 hours of surgical rotation.
• Practiced as a surgical technologist prior to 9/1/2009

2.

Experience:

New hires as of 3/29/2011- 2 years experience in the perioperative setting within the last 4 years in either a surgical technologist or surgical first assistant role.

3. Employee completes initial and ongoing training and competencies as defined by service line, facility and department/unit which are specific to the needs of the patient population served (if applicable).

4. Minimum License, Certificates, or Registrations

Required:

Must have and maintain ONE of the following:

A. Surgical Technologist Certification

• CST – Certified Surgical Technologist through the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) (formally the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist) OR
• TS-C
  - Tech in Surgery, Certified through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

B. Surgical First Assistant certification

• SA-C – Surgical Assistant, Certified through the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)
• CSA – Certified Surgical Assistant through the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA)
• CSFA (formally CFA) – Certified Surgical First Assistant through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)

C. LSA
- Licensed Surgical Assistant through the Texas Medical Board

Essential Job Functions:

1. Functions as a surgical first assistant at the direction of and under the appropriate supervision of the attending surgeon; always practices within the limitations of preparation and experience and within the scope allowed by the hospital.

2.

A. Consistently functions at the direction of and under direct supervision (physical presence of the attending surgeon in the procedure/treatment room) of the attending surgeon. The surgical assistant scope includes:

• Providing visualization of the operative site through appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding, packing or sponges; digital manipulation of tissue; suctioning, irrigation or sponging; manipulation of suture materials; proper use of…