Certified First Assistant - Prn

Watson Clinic LLP; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Watson Clinic LLP is seeking a Surgical First Assistant to support the surgical team in a dynamic operating room environment. You will maintain sterile technique, assist with patient positioning, scrub, drape, and prepare the operative field, and provide tissue retraction and hemostasis under the surgeon’s guidance.

The role requires effective collaboration with physicians and staff, adherence to AORN guidelines, and the ability to adapt to varying surgical cases while ensuring patient safety

Qualifications

• Follows AORN guidelines for hand scrub and aseptic technique.
• Maintains sterility of supplies and surgical field.
• Assists in gathering supplies and positioning the patient for surgery.

Responsibilities

• Assists in surgical procedures as First Assistant, including retracting tissues and aiding with hemostasis.
• Operates suction and supports cautery as directed to protect tissue.
• Performs proper scrubbing, draping, and preparation of the operative field.
• Retracts tissues as directed to maintain exposure and safety.
• Coordinates wound closure using sutures or staples as directed by the surgeon.
• Manages drainage devices and assists with intraoperative positioning and dressings.
• Performs selected medical office duties as assigned and maintains patient records.

Job description

Essential Functions

• Follows the appropriate technique as defined by AORN guidelines for the hand scrub
• Initiates corrective action when a break in technique occurs
• Inspects/maintains sterility of supplies/trays
• Protects integrity of the sterile field

The Surgical First Assistant should not simultaneously function in the scrub role when serving as a First Assistant.

Aseptic technique

• Follows the appropriate technique as defined by AORN guidelines for the hand scrub
• Initiates corrective action when a break in technique occurs
• Inspects/maintains sterility of supplies/trays
• Protects integrity of the sterile field

Maintenance of surgical site

• Provides correct sponging, direct pressure and clamping
• Operates suction equipment
• Provides cautery as directed, demonstrating correct use to avoid destruction of tissue
• Responds to the needs and anticipates the needs of the surgeon
• Adheres to the standards of care as outlined by the American Operation Nurses Association

Preparation of surgical field

• Assists in gathering all supplies needed for the procedure
• Assists in transferring the patient to the OR table and verifies identity of the patient
• Positions patient safely on the table
• Performs the proper surgical scrub on the correct operative site
• Drapes for maximum exposure to the operative site

Retracting

• Retracts as directed by the physician
• Consistently retracts the tissues to maintain adequate exposure while maintaining the safety of the patient

Closure of incision

• Identifies the correct suturing method for the area involved
• Demonstrates competency in the correct method of suturing/knot tying for the various types of tissue
• Coordinates suturing move with the surgeon and cuts sutures appropriately
• Utilizes stapling devices appropriately

Secures drainage devices

Other Surgical Duties May Include

• assist with intraoperative positions
• injection of local anesthesia
• insertion of trocars
• preparation of grafts
• securing drains
• application of castsfacilitating patient rounds
• changing of dressings
• and other duties as assigned by the supervising physician

Medical Office Duties

• Summons and prepares patient for office visit.
• Assists the physician with medical office procedure.
• Administers medication, including injections; documents medication given or prescribed by ordering physicians as required by specialty.
• Adheres to nursing policy and procedure when documenting information in patient’s medical record.
• Maintains the integrity of the office
• Performs additional duties specific to the specialty, and/or acquires additional license or credentials.
• Accepts responsibility for reading and referencing new policies and procedures and Nursing Update newsletters and assumes responsibility for maintaining current certification in CPR.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Ability to walk or stand for up to 80% of work time, and to push /pull equipment weighing up to approximately 40 pounds for up to 20% of work tune.

Exposures to blood and body fluids, and all areas of patient care. Also exposed to cool temperatures, hazardous equipment, fumes /odors and noise. Physical/Mental – Standing in one place for prolonged periods of time.

Manual Dexterity – Handling of surgical instruments

Travel

No travel is expected for this position except to satellite offices.