Surgical Assistant 2, Full Time

University of Miami; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Miami Health System seeks qualified staff to support surgical teams in patient positioning and visualization of the operative site. Responsibilities include placing retractors, packing with sponges, manipulating tissue, suctioning, and maintaining body mechanics to ensure a clear view for the surgeon.

Role requires familiarity with common positioning devices, hemostasis techniques, and wound closure, with emphasis on patient safety and documentation of any post-procedure

Responsibilities

• Positioning the patient for optimal exposure while protecting comfort and safety.
• Padding points of pressure: elbows, heels, knees, eyes, face, axillary region.
• Guard against nerve damage and maintain circulation.
• Coordinate with anesthesia to maintain patient temperature.
• Familiar with retractors, packing with sponges, tissue handling, suctioning and irrigation.
• Assist with hemostasis: clamp/cauterize, ligate vessels, apply hemostatic clips.
• Assist in closure of body planes and wound dressings.
• Assist in securing drainage systems and perform other duties as required.

Tools

Fracture tables

Head stabilizers

Body stabilizers

C-arm extensions

Surgical equipment knowledge

Job description

Positioning the patient

• A. The surgeon shall convey the exact position that will give the best exposure for the surgical procedure. The surgical assistant will carry out this order. Consideration will be given to the patient’s comfort and safety.


• B. Points of pressure shall be padded: elbows, heels, knees, eyes, face, and axillary region.


• C. Circulation shall not be impaired. (A tourniquet may be required for some procedures.)


• D. Nerve damage shall be guarded against.


• E. The temperature of the patient should be discussed with the anesthesia personnel and methods employed to maintain the desired temperature range.


• F. The surgical assistant shall be familiar with common positions related to the surgical procedure and will be able to use the equipment necessary to provide the position. Competencies will include the following:
  
  
  
  • 1. Fracture tables
  
  
  • 2. Head stabilizers
  
  
  • 3. Body stabilizers
  
  
  • 4. C-arm extensions
  
  
  • 5. Any other equipment needed
  
  
  
  


• G. Upon completion of the procedure, the patient shall be evaluated for any possible damage from positioning which will include assessment of the skin. The abnormal condition shall be reported to the surgeon and treatment and documentation shall be carried out.

Providing visualization of the operative site

• A. Appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding


• B. Packing with sponges


• C. Digital manipulation of tissue


• D. Suctioning, irrigating, or sponging


• E. Manipulation of suture materials (e.g., loops, tags, running sutures)


• F. Proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeon’s view

3. Utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis

• 1. Clamping and/or cauterizing vessels or tissue


• 2. Tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue


• 3. Applying hemostatic clips


• 4. Placing local hemostatic agents


• B. Temporary
  
  
  
  • 1. Applying tourniquets and demonstrating awareness of the indications/contraindications for use with knowledge of side effects of extended use.
  
  
  • 2. Applying vessel loops
  
  
  • 3. Applying non-crushing clamps
  
  
  • 4. Applying direct digital pressure
  
  
  
  


• 4. Participating in volume replacement or auto-transfusion techniques as appropriate


• 5. Utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes


• A. Utilizing running or interrupted sutures with absorbable or non-absorbable material of wound layers, including muscle and fascia.


• B. Utilizing subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips


• C. Closing skin with method per surgeon’s directive (suture, staples, etc.)


• D. Postoperative subcutaneous injection of local anesthetic per surgeon’s directive


• 6. Selecting and applying appropriate wound dressings, including the following:
  
  
  
  • A. Liquid or spray occlusive materials
  
  
  • B. Absorbent material affixed with tape or circumferential wrapping.
  
  
  • C. Immobilizing dressing (soft or rigid)
  
  
  
  


• 7. Providing assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue


• 8. Performs other duties as required


• 9. Maintains established hospital policies, procedures, directives, quality, safety, environmental and infection control standards appropriate for this position

DIRECTION/SUPERVISION OF OTHERS - None

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine.

As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status: Full time Employee Type: Staff

The mission of the University of Miami is to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service.

A vibrant and diverse academic and healthcare community, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Health System (\"UHealth\") have rapidly progressed to become one of the nation’s top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation.

The University comprises 12 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 350 majors and programs. Visit welcome.miami.edu/about-um to learn more about our points of pride.

The University ranks No. 55 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges list and ranked No. 49 in the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the USA and offers some of the nation's premiere eye doctors to treat every eye condition for adults.

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, part of the Miller School of Medicine, received the prestigious National Cancer Institute designation in 2019.

The University of Miami and UHealth have also ranked among the Forbes Best Employers and Best Employers for Women on several occasions, most recently in 2022. With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.