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Job Summary:
The Cardiac Surgical First Assistant functions as the surgical first assistant under the direction and supervision of the surgeon during the intra-operative phase of cardiac surgery.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Assists with procedural set up and patient preparedness for specific procedures in positioning, prepping, and draping.
• Assists the surgeon in skin closure, subcutaneous closure and ties, facia closure and ties, closure and ties of peritoneum, tying deep vessels, incising tissue, and performs hemostatic techniques.
• Assists and/or independently performs sternal opening; performs sternal closure.
• Acts as primary first assist throughout the procedure, providing wound exposure, mobilizing tissue and organs for exposure.
• Performs open and endoscopic harvest and preparation of the saphenous vein grafts.
• Harvests and prepares radial artery grafts.
• Inserts intravascular catheters, chest tubes, intra-aortic balloon pump catheters.
• Assists with arterial and venous cannulation to implement circulatory support.
• Assists with arterial and venous decannulation after termination of circulatory support.
• Controls bleeding and routinely sutures tissue.
• Establishes and maintains a safe peri-operative environment. Observes aseptic techniques in preparing for and assisting with procedures.
• Participates in patient transport and room turnover as indicated by unit activity to facilitate utilization of services in a cost-effective manner.
• Serves as educator, mentor and resource to patients and colleagues.
• Performs other duties assigned.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of a Surgical First Assisting program required.
  
• Registered and licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine as a Surgical Assistant required.
  
• Certified Surgical First Assistant with the National Board of National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA) required.
  
• AHA BLS CPR provider certification required.
  

As an EOE/AA employer, the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.