What are the responsibilities and job description for the Surgery Assistant-Orthopedic Surgery position at Indiana Joint Replacement Institute?
The Surgical Assistant plays a vital role in ensuring optimal patient care and efficient surgical procedures. This position is responsible for directly assisting the surgeon during operations, maintaining the sterility of instruments and supplies, and supporting clinic patient care needs. The role requires a strong focus on aseptic technique, patient safety, and effective teamwork in both surgical and clinical settings.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Patient Care:
- Provides safe and effective assistance to the surgical team during procedures.
- Anticipates the surgeon’s needs to ensure smooth and efficient surgical interventions.
- Supports clinic staff with patient care as needed.
Aseptic Technique:
- Maintains strict sterile technique during surgical procedures and instrument processing.
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of infection control and aseptic principles.
Communication:
- Collaborates effectively with all members of the surgical team to ensure seamless coordination.
- Promptly communicates any concerns or issues to the circulating nurse during procedures.
Inventory Control:
- Ensures sterile supplies are packaged, organized, and readily available to meet surgical schedule demands.
- Restocks sterile rooms and maintains proper storage practices to uphold sterility standards.
Surgical Support:
- Scrubs for assigned surgical procedures, ensuring all necessary instruments and supplies are prepared.
- Demonstrates proficiency in the use and maintenance of surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.
- Assists with cleaning and preparing the operating room before and after procedures.
Instrument Sterilization:
- Responsible for cleaning, maintaining, and sterilizing surgical instruments.
- Operates sterilizers and completes quality control documentation to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Team Collaboration & Development:
- Assists in the orientation and training of new scrub technicians.
- Actively participates in team meetings, contributing to process improvements and quality care initiatives.
Additional Duties:
- Conducts sponge and sharp counts as required.
- Performs various duties in both the OR and clinic to ensure patient safety, comfort, and overall facility efficiency.
CONTACT WITH OTHERS:
Internal: Collaborates with clinical staff, business office personnel, and contract employees.
External: Interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patients, medical industry representatives, and other healthcare professionals.
POSITION CHARACTERISTICS:
- Flexibility to work overtime when necessary to provide patient care.
- May be required to participate in on-call duties as needed.
- Due to the dynamic nature of the OR environment, this role may involve periods of high stress and rapid response.
