Surgical Assistant

Summary

The Surgical Assistant is responsible for assisting the surgeon in all phases of surgery in order to increase the productivity of surgeons by alleviating the need for a second physician to assist in a surgical procedure.

Responsibilities:

• Determine specific equipment needed for the procedure and request extra instruments, supplies, and equipment as needed; always ensure equipment is functioning properly prior to use with a patient
• Obtain supplies for the circulator as needed
• Determine if there is a conflict in the specific equipment needs between scheduled cases
• Review surgical permit to confirm specific procedures and special equipment needs and position; check/confirm with the surgeon as needed
• Check schedule assignments for types of cases
• Assist in the transfer of the patient from the table to the stretcher

• Maintain awareness of environment to ensure that the surgeon hears communication involving patient status, equipment change, and sponge, needle, and instrument counts

• Observe intraoperative changes and react appropriately

• Serve as the First Assistant to the surgeon by performing the following:

• Demonstrating competency in the following practices: patient transport, surgical positioning, surgical asepsis, materials/instrument count, pneumatic tourniquet, Electrocautery, specimen preparation and transport, flash sterilization, chemical disinfection, CO2 laser safety, and urethral catheterization
• Demonstrating competency in the following equipment: fracture table, contraves microscope, hip positioners, shoulder positioner, Mayfield attachments, and spinal frames
• Demonstrate competency in the following tools: drills; saws; compression instruments; mallets; stapling, clipping, and cutting instruments; cameras; endoscopes; and microscopes
• Demonstrate competency in the set up of the following equipment: A.M.S.C.O. Fracture Table, microscopes, tourniquets, Montreal Frame, and hand table

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education: Successful completion of a Surgical Assistant program

Experience: Each Surgical Assistant must have actively practiced within the 12 months prior to application for employment; applicants must be familiar with prosthetic devices and care, medical terminology, surgical anatomy, care practices for surgical instruments and supplies, various surgical procedures, application of castings and dressing materials, safety principles, and how to operate biomedical equipment

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Applicants must have successfully completed the Board certification exam; Surgical Assistant students must achieve Board Certification within 1 year of the date of eligibility to take the Certification Examination. Additionally, all applicants must hold and maintain an up-to-date BLS certification.