Surgical Assistant, Operating Room, Full-time, Second Shift

UC Health; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Health is seeking a Surgical Assistant to support surgeons before, during, and after procedures. The role focuses on enabling efficient, safe operations, maintaining sterile technique, and coordinating with the perioperative team to ensure optimal patient care.

The candidate will assist with robotic and laparoscopic cases, manage equipment and supplies, and participate in staff education as needed. A formal surgical assisting program and BLS certification are required, ACLS preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED plus formal surgical assisting training.
• Certification in an approved Surgical Assistant program within the first 12 months of employment.
• BLS certification; ACLS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist surgeon during surgical/invasive procedures: handle instruments, provide hemostasis, suction, exposure/retraction, tissue handling and suturing.
• Maintain sterile field and organize supplies; ensure compliance with aseptic technique.
• Anticipate needs of patient and surgeon; document care and participate in OR turnovers.
• Collaborate with perioperative team and RN to implement patient care plans.
• Assist in sterile processing with Davinci Robot trays and instrument tracking.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Instrument handling

Aseptic technique

Team collaboration

Patient assessment

Education

High school diploma or GED

Formal surgical assisting program

Associate degree (preferred)

Tools

Surgical instruments

Job description

Job Description

At UC Health, we're proud to have the best and brightest teams and clinicians collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.

As the region's adult academic health system, we strive for innovation and provide world-class care for not only our community, but patients from all over the world. Join our team and you'll be able to develop your skills, grow your career, build relationships with your peers and patients, and help us be a source of hope for our friends and neighbors.

UC Health is an EEO employer.

The Surgical Assistant is responsible for providing patient care before, during, and after surgery. The primary purpose of this position is to perform tasks which permit the surgeon to complete an efficient and safe operation.

Responsibilities

PATIENT POPULATION - (CLINICAL ONLY):

• Engages in population appropriate communication.
• Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks.
• Gives clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment.
• Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment and continuing care of the patient.
• Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.
• Interprets population related data and plans care appropriately.
• Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from, unique psychological needs or those associated with religious / cultural norms. Performs treatments, administers medication or operates equipment safely.
• Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.

Surgical Assistant skills:

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology for all types of surgical procedures
• Under the direction of the surgeon, able to demonstrate ability to assist the surgeon during surgical/invasive procedures by: properly handles and uses surgical instruments, manual dexterity with instrumentation, assisting with hemostasis, suctioning, exposure/retraction, handling tissue, suturing, and wound and skin closure
• Able to anticipate the needs of the patient and surgeon
• Demonstrates knowledge in aseptic technique utilized to prepare sterile table/field
• Assists with maintaining surgical field
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the instruments/supplies/equipment used within the surgical environment
• Obtains appropriate information to anticipate needs throughout the case
• Demonstrates the ability to effectively function in the role of scrub person as needed
• Functions as a team member of the perioperative team to provide patient care
• Collaborates with the RN in the development and implementation of the plan of care
• Assist staff in sterile processing with assembling, organizing and keeping track of the location of Davinci Robot Trays and instruments.
• Organize Robot supply carts to maintain par levels.
• Work in unison with Materials Management to order supplies and instruments for Davinci trays and supply carts.
• Assist the education department in teaching Novice Nurses the basics of the Operating Room and how to effectively act in the scrub role.
• Effectively assist the doctor in the Davinci Robot cases.
• Must have adequate dexterity and fine motor skills in laparoscopic/Robot cases.
• Competency in placing clips under the supervision of the attending surgeon.
• Competency in firing staple loads under supervision of the attending surgeon.
• Other duties as necessary

Surgical Environment:

• Knowledge of, and assists as appropriate with maintaining the operating room environment
• Assists in OR room and sterile table/field preparation for the patient
• Knowledge of, and assists as necessary with sterilization of instrumentation

Patient Care/Patient Safety:

• Assists with positioning and skin preparation
• Assists with acquisition of needed positioning accessories, equipment and supplies based on patient needs
• As a member of the health care team, participates in providing patient safety measures
• As a member of the health care team, participates in Universal Protocol
• Participates in proper specimen identification/documentation labeling of specimens, to assure positive patient outcome
• Ability to fulfill on-call requirements

Safety and Environment Responsibilities:

• Facilitates a clean, safe and organized environment
• Uses supplies, materials & equipment economically
• Participates in OR turnovers, stores and puts away extra supplies

Performs other related duties as required, including but not limited to:

• Participates in the orientation of new staff.
• Assist in decision making and problem solving.
• Participates in activities as required in surgical lab.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum Required: High School Diploma/GED and completion of a formal surgical assisting program. Preferred: Associate degree. | Must be certified in an approved Surgical Assistant program (e.g., CFA, SCS, CRNFA, RNFA or PA-C) within the first twelve months of employment. (NOTE: This requirement may be waived for any associates hired before January 1, 2000, or at the discretion Vice President of Perioperative Services.). BLS certification required. ACLS certification preferred. | Minimum Required: 1 year of experience.