Certified Surgical Assistant PRN - West Hospital - PRN

Mercy Health; Kentucky; On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(b) with employer contributions

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Mercy Health is seeking a Surgical Assistant at West Hospital. The role supports patient care during procedures under the provider's supervision and emphasizes learning and growth as an entry-level practitioner.

Responsibilities include scrubbing, assisting in OR, maintaining sterile fields, and coordinating with nurses and surgeons to ensure safe operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• Completion of a Surgical Assistant Program (required).
• One year health-care experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Performs surgical hand scrub, gowning, and gloving per policy.
• Assists as first or second assistant and as Surgical Tech in scrub role.
• Ensures sterility and proper instrument counts.
• Communicates any missing or malfunctioning instruments to the circulator.

Skills

Monitor patient

Routine tasks

Basic literacy

Operate equipment

Follow instructions

Education

High school diploma

Surgical Assistant Program

Job description

PRN Position

Mercy Health

As a faith-based and patient-focused organization, Mercy Health exists to enhance the health and well‑being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Mercy Health seeks people that are committed to our values of compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive.

Surgical Assistant – West Hospital

Job Summary

The Surgical Assistant serves as an assistant in the provision of care to patients undergoing a surgical procedure under the supervision of the provider in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and within the policies, procedures, and guidelines of the organization. The Surgical Assistant is an entry‑level practitioner and focused on learning and growing in this role.

Essential Functions

• Performs surgical hand scrub, gowning, and gloving according to policy. Functions as first or second assist on assigned cases and as a Surgical Tech fulfilling the scrub role as assigned, demonstrating knowledge and implementation of sterile technique. Checks all instruments to ensure they are in proper working order prior to use. Assists with sponge, sharps, and instrument counts per policy and procedures. Handles specimens in accordance with hospital policy and procedure.
• Protects patient information based on hospital policy and government regulations to assure information is kept confidential. Participates in unit and hospital efforts to reduce adverse patient care events. Actively participates in the Universal Protocol procedures that assure correct site surgery.
• Communicates effectively with the circulating nurse upon observance of any missing or malfunctioning instruments and/or indication of any compromise to sterility. Reports any implants device, catheters, drains and packing circulator.
• Assists with OR case preparation: Utilizes surgeon’s preference list to procure equipment and arrange proper placement in the OR; utilizes aseptic technique when establishing the sterile field, opening supplies and instruments; assists with monitoring and maintaining the sterile field.
• Assists with patient positioning, skin clipping and prepping, Foley catheterization and draping.
• Under the direct observation of the surgeon, may: insert secondary trocars; place instruments through trocars; utilize power equipment and stapling devices (other than skin stapling); inject infiltration local anesthetic medications excluding Exparel. During surgical procedures: use sponges and suction; cauterization processes; appropriately place and manipulate retractors (with or without padding); irrigate the wound sites; cut suture material, handle hemostats, and tie suture; provides assistance securing drains to tissue. Closes the surgical wound: may assist suture closing of fascia layer under the direct observation of the surgeon; sutures subcutaneous tissues and skin including with the use of a skin stapler if needed. Applies appropriate wound dressings, including medicated dressings.

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job‑related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Completion of a Surgical Assistant Program (required)

Required Licensing & Certifications

• BLS Basic Life Support – American Heart Association (preferred upon hire, must obtain prior to direct patient care)
• Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) – NBSTSA, NSAA or NCCSA (required; if hired in Virginia prior to July 1, 2020, preferred; if hired in Cincinnati, preferred).
• If employed in Virginia, must be registered with the Virginia Board of Medicine (required).

Experience

• One year health‑care experience (preferred)

Skills & Abilities

Hard/Tech/Clinical Skills

• Monitor patient conditions during treatment
• Complete specific, routine tasks
• Basic reading, writing, or simple arithmetic skill
• Operate basic equipment/machinery
• Follow instructions

Soft / Interpersonal Skills

• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Teamwork
• Conflict resolution
• Active listening
• Relationship building
• Demonstrates a caring attitude and intentional caring behaviors in interpersonal interactions and patient/family care
• Communicates clearly all pertinent patient information to other members of the health care team
• Possess Surgical Conscience
• Anticipate needs
• Flexible
• Assists with performing circulator skills and tasks
• Takes direction
• Able to work under pressure
• Professionalism
• Move with a sense of urgency

Training

None

What We Offer

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HSA/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short‑ and long‑term disability, backup care for children and elders
• Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support

Benefits may vary based on the market and employment status.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at [e-mail].