Certified Surgical First Asst

Job Summary

Allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team  of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in the operating room. The CSFA practices within expanded role as first assistant during surgical interventions assuming responsibility for advanced surgical assisting skills. The CSFA works under the supervision of the registered nurse to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The CSFA practices in collaboration with and at the direction of the surgeon during the intraoperative phase of the perioperative experience. "Under the direction of the surgeon" means that the surgeon is within the facility and immediately available if needed. This individual works to ensure that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A CSFA possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Minimum Years of Experience: 2 Years of Diversified Operating Room Experience.
Substitutable Education & Experience: In lieu of 2 Years of Diversified Operating Room Experience, Consideration will be given to Licensed RNs approved by Presiding Leadership and Assigned Physician(s). For Approved Licensed RNs, these Candidates will need 2 Years of Clinical Experience
Required Certifications/Licensure: Graduate from a NBTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) accredited surgical assisting program;

RN Licensure or National Surgical Technology Certification through NBSTSA or other Surgical Technology certifications acceptable based on HR Recruitment policy;

Current Certified Surgical First Assistant certification (CSFA);

Current CPR certification, BCLS.
Required Training: Demonstrated knowledge and skill in applying principles of asepsis and infection control;

Demonstrated knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology and operative technique relative to operative procedures wherein the CSFA performs;

Demonstrated skills in behaviors that are unique to functioning as a first assistant.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrates competence to provide developmentally appropriate care/treatment for the following populations:            
  • Infant (Birth-1yr)            
  • Child (1-12 yrs)            
  • Adolescent (13-17 yrs)           
  • Adult (18-65 yrs)            
  • Geriatric (>65 yrs)
• Responsible for all specific duties and responsibilities of a certified Surgical Technologist per Lexington Medical Center  job description for Surgical Technologists.
• Perform first assistant responsibilities in accordance with scope of practice as set forth by Association of Surgical Assistants and Lexington Medical Center job description and at the direction of the supervising surgeon.
• Asist in positioning, skin preparation and draping of the patient.
• Provides visualization of the operative site by the following:       
  • Appropriate placement and securing of retractors.       
  • Packing with sponges.           
  • Digital manipulation of tissue.          
  • Suctioning, irrigating or sponging.         
  • Manipulation of suture materials (e.g. loops, tags, running sutures).    
  • Proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeon's view.
• Utilizes appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis:       
  • Clamping and/or cauterizing vessels of tissue.       
  • Tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue.       
  • Applying hemostatic clips.          
  • Placing local hemostatic agents.         
  • Applying vessel loops.           
  • Applying non-crushing clamps.          
  • Applying direct digital pressure.
• Utilizes appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes, including, but not limited to:               
  • Utilizing running or interrupted sutures.        
  • Closing skin with methods indicated by the surgeon.      
  • Post-operative injection of local anesthetic agent as directed by the surgeon.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Selecting and applying appropriate wound dressings to include the following:    
  • Liquid or spray occlusive materials.         
  • Absorbent material affixed with tape or circumferential wrapping.     
  • Immobilizing dressing (soft or rigid).
• Provides assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue.
• Places bladder catheters.
• Use surgical instruments skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose.
• Assist in transporting the patient postoperatively.
• Assists in clearing the operating room for the next procedure including appropriate disposal of contaminated linen and waste cleaning instruments when necessary and disinfecting equipment.
• Ensure Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals are discarded, stored, and managed with other compatible waste streams in containers that are properly labeled and closed prior to being shipped offsite for proper disposal.  Initial RCRA training is received within 6 months of the hire date and continuing with annual RCRA training.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.