Surgical First Assistant

Ascension Healthcare; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascension Healthcare in Milwaukee, WI seeks a Surgical Assistant to provide direct support to surgeons during procedures. You will help position patients, ensure exposure with stabilizing equipment, and maintain patient comfort and safety.

You will assist with tissue handling, retraction, suction, irrigation, wound dressings, and drainage system setup. Requirements include BLS within 30 days and NBSTSA or NCCSA certification prior to hire; education includes a high school diploma with 2 years of

Qualifications

• BLS Provider within 1 month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date.
• Surgical Assistant credentialed from NBSTSA or NCCSA obtained prior to hire date.
• Education as stated: high school diploma with 2 years experience or AAS/technical or 4 years of applicable experience.

Responsibilities

• Providing direct assistance to surgeons throughout surgical procedures.
• Positioning patients to ensure optimal exposure for the procedure using stabilizing equipment while prioritizing patient comfort and safety.
• Ensuring clear visualization of the operative site through tissue manipulation, retraction, sponging, suctioning, and irrigation.
• Assisting with body plane closure, wound dressings, and securing drainage systems.

Skills

BLS Certification

Education

NBSTSA Surgical Assistant

NCCSA Surgical Assistant

High School diploma or equivalent + 2 years experience OR Associate's/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable experience

Job description

Your future role at a glance

• + **Location:** Milwaukee, WI
• + **Facility:** Columbia St Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee
• + **Department:** Surgery
• + **Schedule:** Rotating l PRN

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 97,000+ 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.

Benefits that help you thrive

• + **Retirement:** 403(b) plan
• + **Well-being support:** Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources

How you’ll make an impact in this role

• + Providing direct assistance to surgeons throughout surgical procedures.
• + Positioning patients to ensure optimal exposure for the procedure using stabilizing equipment while prioritizing patient comfort and safety.
• + Ensuring clear visualization of the operative site through tissue manipulation, retraction, sponging, suctioning, and irrigation.
• + Assisting with body plane closure, the application of wound dressings, and the securing of drainage systems.

What minimum requirements you’ll need

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• + BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
• + One or more of the following required:
• + Surgical Assistant credentialed from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
• + Surgical Assistant credentialed from the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.

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.

What additional preferences we're seeking

• + Certificate from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or
• + Currently enrolled in a program where you will receive certificate in less than 1 year.

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) (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRightsSp6.12.pdf) poster.

Fraud prevention notice

Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.

E-Verify statement

Employer does not participate in E-Verify and therefore cannot employ STEM OPT candidates.