Surgical First Assistant - PRN

Community Health Systems, Inc.; Oro Valley (AZ); On-site; USD 28,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Health Systems, Inc. seeks a Surgical Assistant for Oro Valley Hospital to support the surgical team. You will prepare the OR, assist with patient prep, and provide instrument handling and room turnover to maintain a safe surgical environment.

You will work with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia staff, following sterile technique and hospital policies to ensure patient safety and efficiency in the OR.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years experience in a surgical, sterile processing, or patient care support role.
• 1-2 years experience supporting perioperative services or working in a surgical setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with operating room setup, ensuring instruments, supplies, and equipment are sterile before procedures.
• Prepare and position patients for surgery, assisting with transport, prepping, and draping per protocol.
• Pass instruments to the surgical team during procedures, maintaining aseptic technique.
• Maintain a sterile field and assist with infection prevention during procedures.
• Assist with surgical site cleanup and room turnover between procedures.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Aseptic technique

Attention to detail

Sterile instrument handling

Team collaboration

Education

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) preferred

CPR certification

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Tools

Surgical instruments

Job description

Job Summary

The Surgical Assistant supports the surgical team by preparing the operating room, assisting with patient preparation, and providing technical support during surgical procedures under the supervision of the surgical team. This role performs basic operative assistance such as handling instruments, maintaining sterile technique, positioning patients, and assisting with room turnover. The Surgical Assistant works closely with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia staff to ensure a safe and efficient surgical environment.

Essential Functions

• Assists with operating room setup, ensuring surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment are available and sterile prior to procedures.
• Prepares and positions patients for surgery, assisting with transport, prepping, and draping according to established protocols.
• Passes instruments and supplies to the surgical team during procedures, maintaining aseptic technique and anticipating surgical needs.
• Maintains a sterile field and assists with infection prevention practices throughout the surgical procedure.
• Assists with surgical site cleanup and room turnover between procedures, ensuring readiness for the next case.
• Supports the care team in monitoring patient safety and comfort during surgical preparation and recovery.
• Collaborates with team members, responding to direction from the circulating nurse, scrub tech, or surgeon to support workflow.
• Checks and stocks supplies in the OR or procedure areas, ensuring availability and readiness of surgical materials.
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic surgical instruments, sterile technique, and surgical safety protocols.
• Follows hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory guidelines, ensuring patient confidentiality and safety.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of experience in a surgical, sterile processing, or patient care support role required
• 1-2 years of experience supporting perioperative services or working in a surgical setting preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic understanding of surgical procedures and aseptic technique.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well within a collaborative surgical team.
• Reliable, detail-oriented, and able to maintain focus during routine and complex procedures.
• Knowledge of surgical instrumentation and OR safety protocols is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support required
• CST - Certified Surgical Technologist preferred

Oro Valley Hospital (OVH) is a 176-bed hospital that also has a freestanding emergency center, Northwest Transitions Inpatient Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing Unit, Behavioral Health Unit, and large physician group. With these varied access points, you have your choice of settings in which to work. OVH's culture centers around providing safe, quality care to patients, but also to foster a work environment based on teamwork, commitment to a shared goal and recognizing employees for all they do to care for our patients. Often described as a “family,” the staff at OVH take pride in doing the best they can to care for their community. OVH is accredited by The Joint Commission and is an equal opportunity employer: race, gender, disability and Veteran status, and VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.