Surgical First Assist

Ascension; Mequon (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

403(b) plan

PTO & holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance

Parental leave

Legal & pet insurance

Job summary

Ascension in Mequon, WI, seeks a Surgical Assistant in the Surgery department on a rotating, full-time schedule. You will support the primary surgeon, maintain hemostasis, assist with closure and dressing, and help secure drainage systems for patient safety.

You will prepare the suite per surgeon preference cards, ensure all instruments and sterile supplies are ready, and contribute to efficient OR turnover and safe disposal of materials.

Qualifications

• BLS Provider within 30 days of hire date; American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
• NBSTSA Surgical Assistant credential preferred.

Responsibilities

• Optimize surgical site visibility and procedure efficiency by positioning patients, manipulating tissue, and using advanced retraction, suctioning, and irrigation while prioritizing patient safety.
• Support the primary surgeon during critical phases by maintaining hemostasis and assisting with body plane closure and wound dressing, and securing drainage systems.
• Prepare and equip the surgical suite per surgeon cards, ensuring instruments, resources, and sterile supplies are ready for every procedure.
• Maintain OR turnover efficiency and safety by collaborating on room turnover, safe removal of case carts, and proper disposal of surgical materials.

Skills

Surgical assistance

BLS certification

Education

HS equivalency / 2+ years experience

Associate/Technical degree or 4 years experience

Tools

NBSTSA (preferred)

Job description

• Optimize surgical site visibility and procedure efficiency by skillfully positioning patients, manipulating tissue, and utilizing advanced retraction, suctioning, and irrigation techniques while prioritizing patient comfort and safety.
• Support the primary surgeon during critical surgical phases by maintaining effective hemostasis and actively assisting with body plane closure, wound dressing application, and securing drainage systems.
• Prepare and equip the surgical suite according to surgeon preference cards, ensuring all specialized instruments, resources, and sterile supplies are in immediate readiness for every procedure.
• Maintain operating room turnover efficiency and safety standards by collaborating with the surgical team in room turnover, safe removal of case carts, and proper disposal of surgical materials.

Your future role at a glance

• Location: Mequon, WI
• Facility: Columbia St. Mary's Ozaukee
• Department: Surgery
• Schedule: Rotating Shift | Full-time

How you’ll make an impact in this role

• Optimize surgical site visibility and procedure efficiency by skillfully positioning patients, manipulating tissue, and utilizing advanced retraction, suctioning, and irrigation techniques while prioritizing patient comfort and safety.
• Support the primary surgeon during critical surgical phases by maintaining effective hemostasis and actively assisting with body plane closure, wound dressing application, and securing drainage systems.
• Prepare and equip the surgical suite according to surgeon preference cards, ensuring all specialized instruments, resources, and sterile supplies are in immediate readiness for every procedure.
• Maintain operating room turnover efficiency and safety standards by collaborating with the surgical team in room turnover, safe removal of case carts, and proper disposal of surgical materials.

What Minimum Requirements You’ll Need

Licensure / Certification / Registration

• Required Credential(s):
  • BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
• Preferred Credential(s):
  • Surgical Assistant credentialed from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Education

• High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.

Benefits that help you thrive

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
• Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
• Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
• Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

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