Surgical Tech First Assistant

Job Description:

Provides exposure to the operative site

Provides and maintains hemostasis

Performs wound closure

Demonstrates advanced knowledge of normal and pathological anatomy and physiology

Safely positions patients for the surgical procedure and assists with transport to and from the operative suite

Assists surgeon in identifying patient and staff safety hazards

Surgical prepping and draping of patients for the surgical procedure

Provides exposure of the operative site by the appropriate use of retractors

Manipulates equipment and instruments to enhance the visual field

Suctions and sponges to maintain a dry surgical field resulting in an optimal visualization of the surgical field

Provides counter-traction of tissue utilizing various instruments

Assists with maintaining hemostasis to reduce potential for fluid volume deficits by clamping/ligating vessels, using electrocautery to tissue, applying manual direct pressure, assisting with use of pharmaceutical agents (e.g. topical thrombin) and other means as directed by the surgeon/physician

Ties and cuts sutures

Skillfully sutures all varieties of tissues/tissue planes with appropriate suture materials and suturing techniques

Assists in closure of wound or independently closes wound under the direction of the surgeon

Assists and independently applies dressing and tape at the end of the surgical procedure using proper aseptic/sterile techniques

Maintains current knowledge of procedures performed

The Certified Surgical First Assistant may take a scrub role when not needed as a first assistant.