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 certification

All 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 1^st and 2^nd 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 ADDENDUM

PURPOSE:  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             Standing

C             Walking

O             Lifting (70 pounds)

O             Carrying (70 pounds)

O             Pushing (70 pounds)

N             Climbing with (70 pounds)

O             Stooping/Bending

O           Twisting/Turning

O             Kneeling/Squatting

O             Crawling

O             Reaching Up/Reaching Forward

Additional information concerning physical requirements for the position:

Performing patient care responsibilities as required