Surgical Tech First Assist - PRN

Community Health Systems; Kirksville (MO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a Surgical Technician First Assist in Kirksville, MO. This role involves providing direct support to surgeons during surgeries, ensuring a sterile environment, and assisting in critical tasks such as wound closure and tissue handling. The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of experience and relevant certifications like CST and BCLS. Strong communication, teamwork, and surgical skills are essential. This position offers a chance to work in a fast-paced surgical environment.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience as a Surgical Technician or First Assist in an acute care setting required.
• Proficiency in surgical techniques, aseptic principles, and sterile field maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to surgeons during surgical procedures.
• Prepare and organize sterile supplies and instruments.
• Assist with wound closure and patient positioning.
• Conduct proper counting procedures and follow infection control protocols.

Skills

Surgical techniques

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Teamwork skills

Knowledge of infection control

Education

CST – Certified Surgical Technologist

Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)

BCLS – Basic Life Support

Job description

Job Summary

The Surgical Technician First Assist provides direct support to surgeons during surgical procedures, ensuring efficient operative and invasive procedures by maintaining the sterile field, providing necessary instruments and supplies, and assisting in critical surgical tasks. This role requires advanced technical skills to support the surgical team, including positioning patients, retracting tissues, controlling bleeding, suturing, and applying dressings. The Surgical Technician First Assist collaborates with surgeons, nurses, and other surgical team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes and post‑operative care.

Essential Functions

• Functions as a scrub person during surgical procedures, preparing and organizing sterile supplies and instruments, maintaining an organized sterile field, and providing necessary instruments and supplies to the surgical team.
• Performs first assistant duties, including providing exposure through instrument handling, retractors, suctioning, and sponging techniques as directed by the surgeon.
• Handles and dissects tissues, clamps blood vessels, coagulates bleeding points, and places drains as instructed by the surgeon.
• Assists with wound closure, including suturing subcutaneous layers and skin, applying staples, and dressing surgical sites per surgeon instructions.
• Ensures sterility and safety standards, conducting proper counting procedures with the RN circulator, following infection control protocols, and taking corrective actions if needed.
• Prepares and transports surgical instruments for decontamination, ensuring proper handling and sterilization for future use.
• Assists in post‑procedure room turnover, ensuring procedural areas are properly cleaned and prepared for subsequent surgeries.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• 1‑3 years of experience as a Surgical Technician or First Assist in an acute care setting required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in surgical techniques, aseptic principles, and sterile field maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of surgical anatomy, instrumentation, and procedural workflows.
• Ability to anticipate surgeon needs and respond quickly to intraoperative changes.
• Strong attention to detail in surgical counting procedures, patient positioning, and procedural safety.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills, ensuring smooth collaboration with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia providers.
• Knowledge of infection control standards, regulatory compliance, and patient safety guidelines.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure surgical environment, demonstrating composure and professionalism.

Licenses and Certifications

• CST – Certified Surgical Technologist required.
• Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) through NBSTSA required or
• Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) through NSAA required.
• BCLS – Basic Life Support required.
• ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support preferred.