First Assist

Methodist Healthcare System; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) Plan with match

Education assistance

Adoption assistance

Employee recognition program

Paid time off

Job summary

Methodist Hospital Metropolitan in San Antonio seeks an experienced Surgical First Assistant to join the perioperative team. You will support the surgeon, assist with instrument handling, and ensure sterile technique across procedures.

The role requires certification in CST/SA-C/CSFA or equivalent, with experience in perioperative settings and a commitment to patient safety and collaboration with RNs and surgical staff.

Qualifications

• Must have completed the educational and certification requirements listed (CST/TS-C-/SA-C/CSA/CSFA/LSA) and maintain valid licensure.
• Experience in perioperative settings and ability to collaborate with surgeons and nursing staff.
• Perioperative safety measures and instrument handling proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the surgeon as a Surgical First Assistant under supervision.
• Maintain sterile field and assist with instrument handling and suturing.
• Participate in universal protocol and ensure patient safety throughout procedures.

Skills

Surgical first assist

Sterile technique

Team collaboration

Patient safety

Education

Surgical Technologist Certification

Surgical First Assistant Certification

LSA - Licensed Surgical Assistant

Tools

Robotic surgery competency

Job description

Introduction

Do you have the career opportunities as a First Assist you want with your current employer? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join Methodist Hospital Metropolitan which is part of the nations leading provider of healthcare services, HCA Healthcare.

Benefits

Methodist Hospital Metropolitan offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive medical coverage that covers many common services at no cost or for a low copay. Plans include prescription drug and behavioral health coverage as well as free telemedicine services and free AirMed medical transportation.
• Additional options for dental and vision benefits, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, supplemental health protection plans (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity), auto and home insurance, identity theft protection, legal counseling, long-term care coverage, moving assistance, pet insurance and more.
• Free counseling services and resources for emotional, physical and financial wellbeing
  
• 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service)
  
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with 10% off HCA Healthcare stock
  
• Family support through fertility and family building benefits with Progyny and adoption assistance.
  
• Referral services for child, elder and pet care, home and auto repair, event planning and more
  
• Consumer discounts through Abenity and Consumer Discounts
  
• Retirement readiness, rollover assistance services and preferred banking partnerships
  
• Education assistance (tuition, student loan, certification support, dependent scholarships)
  
• Colleague recognition program
  
• Time Away From Work Program (paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence)
  
• Employee Health Assistance Fund that offers free employee-only coverage to full‑time and part‑time colleagues based on income.

Learn more about Employee Benefits

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

Our teams are a committed, caring group of colleagues. Do you want to work as a First Assist where your passion for creating positive patient interactions is valued? If you are dedicated to caring for the well‑being of others, this could be your next opportunity. We want your knowledge and expertise!

Job Summary and Qualifications

General Statement of Duties:

The Surgical First Assistant works as a member of the perioperative team under the direction of the surgeon. He/she performs responsibilities of both the Surgical Technologist and the Surgical First Assistant based on department needs and as directed by the unit director or designee. The Surgical First Assistant practices within the scope of the job description and performs clinical and technical skills under surgeon supervision to assist with carrying out a safe operation with optimal patient results. This is done in collaboration with the circulating RN and other perioperative/OB team members. The Surgical First Assistant is educated and skilled in both the use of surgical instruments on tissues and the handling of instruments; however, the surgical first assistant does not concurrently function as the scrub nurse.

Minimum Education, Experience, Training, Required Knowledge, Skill, Abilities and Other Job-Related Characteristics:

1. Education: Must have completed ALL of the following:

1. High School Diploma or GED
2. Successful completion of an accredited surgical first assistant training program.
3. Meets ONE of the following:

• Graduate/completion of CAAHEP Surgical First Assistant, Surgical Assistant Program, Medical School Graduate OR an allied health professional with 2250 hours of surgical rotation.
• Practiced as a surgical technologist prior to 9/1/2009

2. Experience: New hires as of 3/29/2011- 2 years experience in the perioperative setting within the last 4 years in either a surgical technologist or surgical first assistant role.

3. Employee completes initial and ongoing training and competencies as defined by service line, facility and department/unit which are specific to the needs of the patient population served (if applicable).

4. Minimum License, Certificates, or Registrations Required:

Must have and maintain ONE of the following:

A. Surgical Technologist Certification

• CST – Certified Surgical Technologist through the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) (formally the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist) OR
• TS-C- Tech in Surgery, Certified through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

B. Surgical First Assistant certification

• SA-C – Surgical Assistant, Certified through the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)
• CSA – Certified Surgical Assistant through the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA)
• CSFA (formally CFA) – Certified Surgical First Assistant through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)

C. LSA- Licensed Surgical Assistant through the Texas Medical Board

Essential Job Functions:

1. Functions as a surgical first assistant at the direction of and under the appropriate supervision of the attending surgeon; always practices within the limitations of preparation and experience and within the scope allowed by the hospital.

2. A. Consistently functions at the direction of and under direct supervision (physical presence of the attending surgeon in the procedure/treatment room) of the attending surgeon. The surgicalassistant scope includes:

• Providing visualization of the operative site through appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding, packing or sponges; digital manipulation of tissue; suctioning, irrigation or sponging; manipulation of suture materials; proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeon’s view.
• Utilizing appropriate permanent and temporary techniques to assist with hemostasis. Permanent hemostasis techniques include clamping and/or cauterizing vessels and tissue, tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue, applying hemostatic clips, or placing hemostatic agents. Temporary hemostasis techniques include applying tourniquets and demonstrating awareness of the indications/contraindications for use with knowledge of side effects of extended use; applying vessel loops, non-crushing clamps, or direct digital pressure.
• Administering post-operative subcutaneous local anesthetic injection
• Utilizing running or interrupted sutures with absorbable or non-absorbable material of wound layers, including muscle and fascia.
• Assisting with placement of implants
• Robotic procedures only: Insertion of subsequent (not initial) trocars. Must have documented training and competency validated (initially within by MHS Medical staff member privileged to perform robotic surgery. The documentation must include directly supervised trocar insertions on a minimum of 5 patients completed within a 12 month period with good patient outcomes.
• Saphenous Vein Harvesting only: May harvest saphenous vein through endoscopic or open technique. Must have documented training and competency validated by a MHS Medical staff member privileged to perform Cardiothoracic surgery. The documentation must include directly supervised saphenous vein harvests on a minimum of 10 patients completed within a 12 month period with good patient outcomes.

B. Under direct or general perioperative supervision (surgeon/proceduralist presence in the perioperative area (pre-op department, perioperative suite, PACU, OR/procedure waiting room)and is immediately available), the surgical assistant scope includes closure of body planes andapplies wound dressings per the method indicated by the attending physician:

• Utilizing sub-cuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips
• Skin closure with suture, staples and/or spray occlusive material/skin adhesive strips
• Securing drainage systems to tissue
• Application of immobilizing dressing

3. Consistently assists with maintaining the patient’s expected physiologic responses to surgery including infection prevention (SCIP measures and practices, maintaining effective disinfection practices, instrument processing, and sterilization).

4. Demonstrates effective communication and works collaboratively with all members of the perioperative team to include active consistent participation in Universal Protocol and timely and accurate sponge and sharp counts to include initiating corrective action as appropriate.

5. Consistently applies a working knowledge of patient pre-operative deficits, risk for intraoperative injuries, and possible post-operative outcomes to assist in optimal patient outcomes. Demonstrates principles of safe patient positioning for best exposure in collaboration with the surgical team using appropriate positioning equipment to ensure padded pressure points, protection from nerve damage and unimpaired circulation.

6. Functions in the role of a Surgical Technician as needed by the department; however, does not concurrently perform as the surgical first assistant and surgical technologist. Wears proper surgical attire, opens sterile packs, instruments, and supplies for each procedure, scrubs, gowns, gloves, and drapes according to established aseptic technique and protocols. Monitors sterile field during procedure and takes appropriate measures to insure integrity of sterile field and maintenance of sterile techniques. Initiates corrective action for any break in technique.

Additional Job Functions

1. May handle, pick up, deliver and/or stock non-controlled medications as directed by a licensed team member.

2. Acts as a preceptor to help with the education of other Surgical First Assistants.

3. Maintains appropriate knowledge and training to use any equipment necessary for care of the patient and ensures is it in working order prior to use.

4. Supports the mission and vision of the Methodist Healthcare System and demonstrates excellent customer service at all times.

5. Understands and is committed to helping the Methodist Healthcare System and its associated facilities achieve its goals.

6. Must learn and comply with System and facility safety policies and rules; must use appropriate safety equipment and procedures at all times; must immediately report all unsafe conditions to supervisors; must be familiar with all safety features of equipment, tools or materials encompassed by job duties; and must check with supervisors (prior to job performance) if there is a question as to the safe procedure to be used for any job function.

7. Adheres to the MHS Code of Conduct and demonstrates ethical behavior as expected by our patients, colleagues and the community. Understands the personal obligation to report any activity thatappears to violate applicable laws, rules regulations or the Code of Conduct itself.

8. Must learn and comply with System and facility safety policies and rules; must use appropriate safety equipment and procedures at all times; must immediately report all unsafe conditions to supervisors; must be familiar with all safety features of equipment, tools or materials encompassed by job duties; and must check with supervisors (prior to job performance) if there is a question as to the safe procedure to be used for any job function.

9. Completes other duties as assigned.

Methodist Hospital Metropolitan houses 370 bed. We house the largest emergency room in downtown San Antonio. Our women’s pavilion is the only freestanding, center city facility dedicated to the health of women and their newborn babies. We welcome nearly 3,000 newborns into the world each year. We are home to the Methodist Weight Loss Center. We have been designated an American Society for Metabolic Surgery Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence®.

Our hospital has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as a Best Place to Work in Healthcare. We are the first hospital in San Antonio to achieve Pathway to Excellence designation. Methodist Hospital Metropolitan has been recognized by Leapfrog for focus on safety and quality. We received a Grade A Hospital Safety Score for 8 consecutive rating periods. We are proud to be an Accredited Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology and Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. We were the premier Texas hospital to earn a Gold Seal of Approval for Sepsis Certification. Join our accredited team today.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.