Surgical First Assistant - General Surgery

CHRISTUS Health; Longview (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

CHRISTUS Health in Texas is seeking a Surgical Assistant to support surgeons across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care, ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes under surgeon supervision and hospital policy.

Responsibilities include positioning the patient, assisting with exposure and hemostasis, handling incisions and closures, preparing the patient (Foley, IVs, tourniquets), and following each surgeon's preferences during procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Surgical Assistant in an operating room setting is preferred.
• Must be able to work under direct and indirect supervision of the surgeon.
• Certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist First Assistant is required or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative stages.
• Position the patient safely according to the surgeon's preference and patient limits.
• Aid in exposure, hemostasis, incision and layered closure, and tissue handling during procedures.
• Prepare the patient with Foley catheter placement, tourniquet application, IV access, and other tasks as needed.
• Follow surgeon preferences and hospital policy while assisting with implants, drains, dressings, and post-op care.

Skills

Leader of Self

Leader of Others

Leader of Leaders

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Graduate of Surgical First Assist Program or related nursing/surgical tech training

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

4 Days - 10 Hours

Work Type

Full Time