Certified Surgical Technologist First Assistant (CSTFA)

POSITION SUMMARY

Relocation Assistance available up to $15,000

 

Pay range: $38.74/hr - $56.19/hr

 

 

Position Summary – One paragraph or maximum of four sentences to provide descriptive statement that outlines the purpose of the position. Please clarify level of responsibility (e.g. works independently, under close supervision, etc.)

The Certified Surgical Technologist First Assistant assists the primary surgeon in a non-physician first assistant role during the perioperative phases of patient care to include handling tissue, providing aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure and suturing of wounds, and dressing application for multi-specialties.  Practices under the on-site (in-house) supervision and direction of the surgeon performing the surgical procedure. Collaborates and coordinates with the circulating nurse to perform routine and delegated duties according to established community and national standards. Also, functions in surgical scrub roles as needed to promote overall safe patient care. The CSTFA can only function in one capacity at a time and not expected to act as both surgical scrub and surgical assist simultaneously.

The ultimate decision as to the need for a surgical assistant remains with the primary operating surgeon.  It is the surgeon’s responsibility to designate the most appropriate level of first assistant based on the characteristics of the patient, procedure and the operating environment.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Performed majority of the time 

·         Participates in Time Out (pause for universal identification protocol) with surgeon, and other members of surgical team.

·         Applies extremity tourniquets, dressings, splints, casts and or traction according to physician orders and/or department standards of practice.

·         Assists in proper care, handling and storage of surgical instruments and equipment.

·         Assists in proper positioning of the patients for surgery and aids with draping.

·         Assists in room clean up and turnover of rooms according to department guidelines.

·         Participates in call rotation with CST’s 

·         Follows correct course of action in various CODE procedures.

·         Provides age appropriate care for pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients based on principles of growth, development and life stages.

·         Maintains proficiency with unit specific equipment, trouble shoots and reports malfunctions to appropriate personnel.

·         Facilitates and maintains two-way communication between surgeon, staff and management.

·         Provides non-physician first assistant general surgical care. 

·         Determine specific equipment needed per procedure. 

·         Review orders to confirm procedure and special needs. 

·         Select and place x-rays for reference. 

·         Assist in moving and positioning of patient. 

·         Insert or remove bladder catheter as needed. 

·         Place pneumatic tourniquet. 

·         Confirm procedure with surgeon.     

·         Provide retraction of tissue and organs for optimal visualization with regard to tissue type and appropriate retraction instrument and/or technique. 

·         Assist in maintaining hemostasis by direct pressure, use and application of appropriate surgical instrument for the task, placement of ties, placement of suture ligatures, application of chemical hemostatic agents, or other measures as directed by the surgeon. 

·         Use electrocautery mono and bi-polar as directed by surgeon. 

·         Clamp and ligate tissue per surgeon's direction. 

·         Close all wound layers (fascia, subcutaneous, and skin) at surgeon's direction. 

·         Insert drainage tubes per surgeon's direction. 

·         Select and apply wound dressings. 

·         Perform any other non-physician First Assistant role duties as deemed necessary and as directed by the surgeon.

Performed occasionally but critical to successful performance of the job:

·         Functions in the role of preceptor for new and or orienting personnel.

·         Attends and participates in staff meetings, Unit council, in-services and continuing education opportunities.

·         Makes recommendations for ongoing process improvement

Decision making and budget responsibilities

·         Impact limited to the employee and the wellbeing of the patient.

·         No budget responsibility.

Assigned direct reports (not limited to the ones listed).

·         N/A

 

 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required

·         Comple