Surgical First Assist - General Surgery

CHRISTUS Health; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CHRISTUS Health in Texas seeks a skilled Surgical First Assistant to support the surgeon across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. The role includes patient positioning, hemostasis, closure, tissue handling, and collaboration with the surgical team in a full-time, multi-shift hospital setting.

Candidates should have a high school diploma and complete Surgical First Assist training; BLS is required and ACLS preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Graduation from an accredited Surgical First Assist Program, State Board accredited Vocational School of Nursing, or Graduate of School of Surgical technology required.

Responsibilities

• Assists the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative procedures.
• Facilitates safe patient positioning according to surgeon’s preference and procedure.
• Performs incision and layered closure, provides exposure, achieves hemostasis, and uses appropriate energy sources.
• Aids in implanting, securing, and/or removing devices and drains; applies dressing materials.

Skills

Surgical Assist

Patient Positioning

Team Collaboration

Education

High School Diploma

Surgical First Assist Program

Job description

Summary

As defined by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), surgical assistants provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. In addition to intraoperative duties, the surgical assistant also performs preoperative and postoperative duties to better facilitate proper patient care. The surgical assistant performs these functions under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and in accordance with hospital policy and appropriate laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
• The surgical assistant is responsible for assisting the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative dillies and procedures at all times.
• The surgical assistant facilitates the safe positioning of the patient according to the surgeon's preference, patient's anatomical and physiological limits, and surgical procedure to be performed. A preoperative introduction visit may be done to assess the surgical site to better aid in positioning. Assists circulator and anesthesia provider in preparation of the patient to include but not limited to: Foley catheter placement, tourniquet application, placement of intravenous catheters, cricoid pressure application, and other procedures as needed.
• The surgical assistant performs specific tasks according to individual surgeon preference utilizing appropriate techniques including, but not limited to: incision and layered closure of surgical sites, providing exposure, achieving hemostasis by means of injection, manual, and topical methods, and application of appropriate energy sources, manipulation and dissection/removal of tissues, aides in implanting, securing, and/or removal of devices and drains, and applying appropriate dressing material specific to procedure.
• The surgical assistant applies any other specific dressing material such as splints or casts. Assesses skin integrity, assists in transfer of the patient, and follows the patient to recovery if needed or directed by surgeon.
• The surgical assistant who has appropriate training also performs under surgeon supervision other procedures including but not limited to: vein and graft harvesting, and graft and implant preparation.
• The surgical assistant performs additional duties as delegated by the surgeon in cooperation with state and local policy.

Job Requirements

Education/Skills

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required
• Graduation from an accredited Surgical First Assist Program, State Board accredited Vocational School of Nursing, or Graduate of School of Surgical technology required

Experience

• 2 years of Surgical Tech experience preferred

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• BLS required
• Certified Surgical Technologist First Assistant required
• ACLS preferred

Work Schedule

MULTIPLE SHIFTS AVAILABLE

Work Type

Full Time