SURGICAL ASSISTANT- FIRST ASSIST SPECIALIST - OR CARDIAC

PURPOSE OF POSITION : As defined by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the Surgical First Assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, and other technical functions that will help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. This role will vary considerably with the surgical procedure, specialty area, surgeon, and type of facility. The SAFA - Specialist will also assume additional responsibilities beyond staff surgical assistant expectations.QUALIFICATIONS :

• Graduate with a degree and / or certification in Surgical Assisting / Scrub Tech First Assist / RN First Assist
• Minimum 5 years cardiac assisting experience
• BLS certificationAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.WORKING CONDITIONS :
• 7 : 00am - 3 : 30pm or 9 : 00am - 5 : 30pm rotating M-F or hours as required by the job. On call afternoons, weekends, holidays, and off-shifts (30-minute response time).
• Subject to frequent interruptions and changes in priority of duties throughout the day.
• Breaks and lunch are coordinated with other personnel and workload activity.
• Blood and body fluid exposure 1.MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
• Sterile Technique
• Demonstrate and understand aseptic technique, as well as sterile vs non-sterile.
• Perform appropriate preoperative skin scrub and hand washing.
• Display surgical conscience for the safety of patients, fellow employees, and themselves.
• Preoperative preparation
• Properly identify patient (patient name, birthdate, procedure, allergies, and surgeon.)
• Preoperative skin assessment
• Check for patient ID band allergy band.
• Communicate with sonographer re : vein mapping results for endoscopic vein harvest
• Set up operating room for procedure.
• Assist in transportation of the patient to and from the OR room, moving and proper positioning on the OR table.
• Position patient appropriately for surgery, paying attention to high pressure areas.
• Foley catheter insertion if needed.
• Demonstrate and understand proper preoperative skin prep.
• Intra-Operative
• Collaborate with surgeon to establish and anticipate patient surgical needs.
• Provide exposure of surgical site.
• Ability to demonstrate one and two-handed tying.
• Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of suture and proper suturing techniques.
• Demonstrate proper use of instrumentation.
• Demonstrates exceptional knowledge of anatomy.
• Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of surgical equipment.
• Demonstrates an understanding of dressings and appropriate dressing to be applied.
• Performs endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting.
• Performs open radial artery and saphenous vein harvesting.
• Assists with and performs wound closure of sternum and skin, line and tube placements and removals.
• Maintains proficiency in the roles of the 1st and 2nd assistant roles.
• Extra-Operative Responsibilities
• Demonstrate awareness of team responsibilities by accepting additional duties and responsibilities to help improve the CVOR department and Aultman Hospital.
• Transports patient to proper recovery area.
• Engage in research and analysis of evidence-based practice.
• Serves as a consultant in all aspects of Cardiothoracic / vascular procedures, equipment operation, instruments, and supplies in the CVOR.
• Seeks out additional educational opportunities to increase current clinical expertise related to cardiothoracic / vascular surgeries.
• Works collaboratively with all team members.
• Adheres to policies, procedures and guidelines of the department and Aultman Hospital.
• Maintains professional communication skills with physicians, nurses, and technicians.
• Demonstrate awareness of team responsibilities by accepting additional duties and responsibilities to help improve the CVOR department and Aultman Hospital.
• The specialist will serve as the primary preceptor for new employees and the point of contact for all surgical assistants.
• The specialist will assist with education for all surgical assistants, other staff members, and students.
• The specialist will serve as point of contact for surgeons to discuss preferences for various cases.
• The specialist will be involved with the interviewing process and will assist management with onboarding of new surgical assistants.
• The specialist will lead with integrity and will uphold the values of the department and Aultman Hospital.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS ADDENDUMPURPOSE : To identify specific functions, job requirements, and work environment factors that could affect job performance.O = Occasionally = 0- 33% of the work shift or 0- 32 repetitions.F = Frequently = 34-66% of the work shift or 32-200 repetitions.C = Constantly = 67-100% of the work shift or 200 repetitions.N = Not essential job requirement.C StandingC WalkingO Lifting (70 pounds)O Carrying (70 pounds)O Pushing (70 pounds)N Climbing with (70 pounds)O Stooping / BendingO Twisting / TurningO Kneeling / SquattingO CrawlingO Reaching Up / Reaching ForwardAdditional information concerning physical requirements for the position : Performing patient care responsibilities as required Learn More