Certified Surgical First Assist PRN, Periop Float Pool

Montgomery College; Nashville, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Part time

Job summary

Vanderbilt Health in Nashville is seeking a Certified Surgical First Assistant to serve as First Assistant to the Surgeon. Responsibilities include positioning, prepping, draping, achieving hemostasis, and assisting with tissue handling under the surgeon's supervision.

The role may perform as a Surgical Technologist when not first assisting, and is designated PRN. Qualified candidates have at least 3 years of relevant experience, and registration with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners,

Qualifications

• Graduate of an approved discipline or successful completion of a surgical assistant training program during the applicant's service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Registration with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a member of the operating room team by assisting with the room preparation, setup and clean up.
• Assist with the opening of sterile items needed for the procedure.
• Identifies and obtains special items needed for the procedures.
• Assists with proper room cleanup/turnover.
• Assist with patient positioning to provide access to the operative site while maximizing patient safety and comfort.
• Postoperatively, the patient shall be evaluated for any possible damage related to positioning, which shall be included in the SICU assessment.
• Establish and maintain a surgically clean environment to reduce the potential for patient infection through the application of the principals of asepsis.
• Maintain a sterile field to reduce the potential for infection. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of decontamination, disinfection, sanitation and sterilization and applies these principles to reduce infection potential. Continually monitors environmental factors that may challenge the integrity of the sterile field.
• Teaches the importance of aseptic technique and continual monitoring of the sterile field to less experiences staff members.
• Initiate appropriate intra operative behaviors unique to first assisting. Applies knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique relative to operative procedures.
• Performs positioning, prepping and draping of patient. Provides hemostasis by clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, ligating vessels, and by other means as directed by the surgeon.
• Provides exposure through appropriate use of instruments, retractors, suctioning and sponging techniques. Handles tissue and sutures all varieties of tissue with the appropriate suture materials and suturing techniques as directed by the surgeon.
• Performs First Assist interventions under the direction and supervision of the operating surgeon.

Education

Surgical assistant training program (armed forces eligible)

Registration with Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world‑class care to the people of the Mid‑South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization: Peri‑Op float pool

Job Summary: The Certified Surgical First Assist performs in the expanded role as a CST First Assistant to the Surgeon, by performing positioning, prepping and draping of patient, providing hemostasis, providing wound exposure and handling of sutures and tissue under the direction and supervision of the operating surgeon. May perform as a Surgical Technologists when not First Assisting. Position Type: PRN

About Us: Perioperative Services is a multi‑disciplinary department with over 800 employees, each playing an integral role in providing exceptional care for our surgical patients throughout their surgical experience. The department encompasses various areas, including Operating Rooms and Main Campus Intraoperative Service Lines such as Cardiovascular/Transplant (Heart & Lung), OR Float Pool, General Surgery/Transplant (Kidney, Liver, & Pancreas) Black Team, GYN Surgery, Neurosurgery, Nights/Evenings/Weekends, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology/Bronchoscopy, Urology/Robotics (OR Gold Team), and Medical Center East.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of an approved specific discipline OR successful completion of a surgical assistant training program during the applicant's service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Registration with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.

Preferred: Certification from one of the listed issuers below: NBSTSA CST – National Board of Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistants, Certified Surgical Technologist. NCCT – TS‑C – National Center for Competency Testing, Tech In Surgery.

• Required: Certification from one of the listed issuers below: CSFA - Certified Surgical First Assistant - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
• CSA - Certified Surgical Assistant - National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA)
• CSA- Certified Surgical Assistant - National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA)
• SA-C- Surgical Assistant-Certified - American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)

Key Responsibilities:

• Acts as a member of the operating room team by assisting with the room preparation, setup and clean up.
• Assist with the opening of sterile items needed for the procedure.
• Identifies and obtains special items needed for the procedures.
• Assists with proper room cleanup/turnover.
• Assist with patient positioning to provide access to the operative site while maximizing patient safety and comfort. Points of pressure shall be padded: elbows, heels, knees, etc. Circulation shall not be impaired.
• Postoperatively, the patient shall be evaluated for any possible damage related to positioning, which shall be included in the SICU assessment. Any abnormalities reported to the surgeon and treatment and documentation shall be carried out.
• Establish and maintain a surgically clean environment to reduce the potential for patient infection through the application of the principals of asepsis.
• Maintain a sterile field to reduce the potential for infection. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of decontamination, disinfection, sanitation and sterilization and applies these principles to reduce infection potential. Continually monitors environmental factors that may challenge the integrity of the sterile field.
• Teaches the importance of aseptic technique and continual monitoring of the sterile field to less experiences staff members.
• Initiate appropriate intra operative behaviors unique to first assisting. Applies knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique relative to operative procedures.
• Performs positioning, prepping and draping of patient. Provides hemostasis by clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, ligating vessels, and by other means as directed by the surgeon.
• Provides exposure through appropriate use of instruments, retractors, suctioning and sponging techniques. Handles tissue and sutures all varieties of tissue with the appropriate suture materials and suturing techniques as directed by the surgeon.
• Performs First Assist interventions under the direction and supervision of the operating surgeon.

Allotted knowledge claims: Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

Core Accountabilities:

• Organizational Impact: Independently performs non‑routine tasks that significantly impact team and other related teams.
• Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Gathers and analyzes data to solve problems that arise with little or no precendent.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Applies advanced job knowledge and has developed a breadth of skills in other areas.
• Team Interaction: Serves as a lead for the team by providing expertise and guidance to team members.

Core Capabilities

• Supporting Colleagues:
  • Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.
  • Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.
  • Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences.
• Delivering Excellent Services:
  • Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.
  • Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.
  • Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness.
• Ensuring High Quality:
  • Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.
  • Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them.
  • Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring.
• Managing Resources Effectively:
  • Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.
  • Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.
  • Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities.
• Fostering Innovation:
  • Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.
  • Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short‑term challenges.
  • Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

• Responsibilities:
• Certifications: Certified Surgical Assistant - National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA), Certified Surgical Assistant - National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA), Certified Surgical First Assistant - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), Certified Surgical First Assistant - The American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA), LIC-Registered Surgical Assist‑Tennessee.
• Work Experience: Relevant Work Experience.
• Experience Level: 3 years.
• Education: Graduate of an approved discipline specific program.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well‑being and professional growth. Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.

PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF ALL WE DO. Great health care takes great people. We’re looking for like‑minded individuals driven to make a difference. We invite you to explore careers at Vanderbilt Health, where we value collaboration, embrace continuous learning and foster an environment where everyone can thrive. We’re the largest private employer in Middle Tennessee, with a growing team and an expanding footprint across towns and communities throughout the region. We employ more than 43,000 people who work in inpatient and outpatient clinical care, research and graduate medical education. Our employees also serve in critical supporting roles in administration, information technology and informatics, finance, legal and community affairs, communications and marketing, fundraising, groundskeeping and facilities, and many other departments.

Our growing academic health system has more than 2,100 licensed hospital beds at eight hospitals: Vanderbilt University Hospital Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital Vanderbilt Tullahoma‑Harton Hospital Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. Vanderbilt Health is the Mid‑South’s largest provider of specialty care, with hundreds of outpatient clinic and surgical locations throughout the region, and Tennessee’s only National Cancer Institute‑designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for adults and children. We are one of the nation's busiest critical care centers, home to Middle Tennessee’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Burn Center for adults and children, and Middle Tennessee’s only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We are the nation’s largest transplant center, and last year we performed the most heart transplants than any center worldwide. Vanderbilt Health is an epicenter for biomedical research, winning over $1 billion in annual research awards from government, industry, foundations and donors. We are also a national leader in medical training and education, with the largest clinical training center in the Mid‑South and the only training center in Tennessee for many adult and pediatric specialties. We’re honored to be consistently considered among the nation’s best hospitals for quality, safety and patient satisfaction. Three of our hospitals — Vanderbilt University Hospital, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital and Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital — have been awarded a Five‑Star Quality Rating from Medicare. We support each other and encourage excellence among every member of our workforce. High‑achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth opportunities, competitive compensation and benefits, and a sense of community and purpose. Join us in advancing health care.

Our vision: The world leader in advancing personalized health. Our mission: Personalizing the patient experience through our caring spirit and distinctive capabilities.