Job Summary:

The Surgical Assistant will help surgeons during surgery by performing duties such as tissue retraction, insertion of tubes and intravenous lines, and closure of surgical wounds. Performs preoperative and postoperative duties to facilitate patient care.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Verifies the identity of patients and operative sites. Discusses with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic and laboratory data, and patient-advanced directives and other needs.
• Monitors and maintains aseptic technique throughout procedures.
• Coordinates or participates in the positioning of patients using body stabilizing equipment and protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure and to
  protect against nerve damage and circulation impairment.
• Maintains an unobstructed operative field using surgical retractors, sponges, and
  suctioning and irrigating equipment. Prepares and applies sterile wound dressings. Applies sutures, staples, clips, and other materials to close skin, fasciae, and subcutaneous wound layers.
• Determines availability of necessary equipment and supplies for operative procedures. Obtains and inspects sterile or nonsterile surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.
• Assists with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest and other life-threatening events.
• Operates sterilizing devices. Monitors patient intra-operative status including patient position, vital signs, and volume and color of blood. Assists in the insertion, positioning, and suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
• Assists members of surgical team with gowning and gloving. Coordinates with anesthesia staff to maintain patient temperature.
• Transports patients to the operating room. Removes patients hair and disinfects incision sites to prepare patients for surgery. Incises tissue layers in lower extremities to harvest veins.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of medical terminology.
• Superior listening skills with the ability to quickly comprehend instructions in emergency situations.
• Excellent manual dexterity.

Education and Experience:

• Associates degree required. Bachelors degree preferred.
• Two to four years of related experience required.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of standing, reaching, and bending.
• Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds at times.