Surgical First Assist/Surgical Tech

Lake Havasu Community Health Center LLC; Lake Havasu City (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Havasu Community Health Center LLC is seeking a Surgical Technologist / First Assist to support the surgical team before, during, and after procedures. The role provides first-assist support to the surgeon within education, training, and scope of practice.

Responsibilities include preparing the OR, maintaining sterile technique, assisting with positioning, instrumentation, wound closure, and post-procedure care, while collaborating with perioperative staff and adhering to safety standards.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology and/or Surgical First Assistant program
• Current CST certification or required per state
• CSFA/CSA or other Surgical First Assistant credential
• Current BLS certification
• Experience in OR/ambulatory surgery preferred
• Knowledge of sterile technique and infection prevention
• Experience providing first-assist services preferred

Responsibilities

• Prepare the operating room with equipment, instruments, supplies and sterile setup.
• Review physician preference cards and ensure instruments/implants are available.
• Maintain sterile technique and infection prevention throughout procedures.
• Perform surgical counts with the circulating RN.
• Anticipate surgeon needs by passing instruments and supplies efficiently.
• Assist with patient positioning, skin prep, draping and perioperative tasks.
• Provide first-assist functions including exposure, retraction, hemostasis, and tissue handling.
• Assist with wound closure under the surgeon's direction.
• Assist with room turnover and instrument handling after procedures.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nurses and perioperative staff.

Skills

CST certification

CSFA/CSA credential

BLS certification

OR experience

Perioperative knowledge

Education

Accredited Surgical Technology and/or Surgical First Assistant program

Job description

Description

Surgical Technologist / First Assist

The Surgical Technologist / First Assist is responsible for supporting the surgical team before, during, and after operative procedures. This position performs surgical technologist duties while also providing first-assist support to the surgeon within the individual’s education, training, certification, and scope of practice. The Surgical Technologist / First Assist helps maintain a safe, efficient surgical environment and ensures appropriate instrumentation, supplies, and equipment are available throughout each procedure.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Support the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
2. Prepare the operating room for surgical procedures, including equipment, instruments, supplies, and sterile field setup.
3. Review physician preference cards and ensure appropriate instruments, supplies, implants, and equipment are available for scheduled procedures.
4. Maintain sterile technique and follow infection prevention practices throughout surgical procedures.
5. Perform surgical counts in collaboration with the circulating RN according to facility policy.
6. Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and surgical team by passing instruments, supplies, and equipment efficiently throughout the procedure.
7. Assist with patient positioning, skin preparation, draping, and other perioperative activities within scope of practice.
8. Provide first-assist support to the surgeon as permitted by training, certification, facility policy, and applicable regulations.
9. Perform first-assist functions as appropriate, including providing exposure, retraction, hemostasis, tissue handling, and assistance with wound closure under the direction of the surgeon.
10. Assist with application of dressings and other post-procedure activities as directed.
11. Handle surgical specimens appropriately and according to facility policy.
12. Assist with room turnover and preparation for subsequent surgical cases.
13. Inspect instruments and equipment for proper function and communicate any concerns or needed repairs.
14. Collaborate professionally with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nurses, sterile processing staff, and other members of the perioperative team.
15. Follow organizational policies, regulatory and accreditation standards, and applicable professional guidelines.
16. Participate in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
17. Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality at all times.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology and/or Surgical First Assistant program, as applicable.
• Current surgical technologist certification, such as CST, preferred or required based on applicable state and facility requirements.
• Current CSFA, CSA, or other recognized Surgical First Assistant credential, as applicable to the position.
• Current BLS certification.
• Previous operating room or ambulatory surgery center experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of surgical instrumentation, sterile technique, infection prevention, and perioperative practices.
• Experience providing first-assist services preferred.
• Ability to anticipate surgeon and procedural needs and work effectively in a fast-paced surgical environment.
• Strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills.