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Surgical First Assistant

UVA Health
United Statespart_timeVerifiedPosted 26 May 2026

About the role

Surgical First Assistant

Job Code: SS1701
Work a minimum of 3 ten hour shifts 0700-1730 per 6 weeks and one call weekend call shift depending on departments needs per 6 weeks.

ABOUT US

 

We are welcoming a new era in healthcare where achieving good health is just the beginning. At UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper, we believe in caring for the whole person by getting to know – and making connections with – our patients. By combining the talent and expertise of our people, the breadth of capabilities across our system, and our commitment to helping our communities get better and stay healthy, we are improving the patient experience.

 

As a UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper team member, you will have a voice in patient care decisions, support the most advanced medical technologies and feel a strong sense of satisfaction from making a difference in people’s lives every day.

  

JOB TYPE

Classification: Non Exempt

Supervises Positions:

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direct and indirect supervision of the attending physician and in a cohesive manner with all surgical staff functions in a surgical assist role, the Surgical Assistant assists the team in providing quality individualized patient care during all phases of the patient' surgical experience. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to the age of the patients served. Assesses data reflective of the patient' status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient' requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and provides services as described in the department' policies and procedures.

Competencies

  • Communication: Collaborates with the leadership team to identify and resolve unit issues.
    • Keeps co-workers and intra-op staff informed of any updates/issues.
    • Follows written instructions as needed.
  • Quality: Complies with established departmental and organization policies/guidelines.
    • Maintains, operates, and monitors all equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations and department standards.
  • Technical Competency: Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to the age of the patients served.
    • Collects, organizes, and enters information into the patient scheduling application.
    • Assists with various types of surgical operations providing technically skilled duties, serving as surgical first assistant.
    • Demonstrates knowledge of instrumentation and sterile/aseptic technique.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Graduate of a recognized First Assist program with National Certification. O a physician from another country and practicing in the United States as a First Assistant, this is acceptable.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience as surgical first assistant preferred.

Licensure: Certified Surgical First Assistant required (unless a physician from another country). National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA) required.

Licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine as a Surgical First Assistant required.

Refer to the Life Support Training Policy for additional details.

Additional Skills/Requirements Required: Ability to successfully complete generic and department-specific skill validation and competency testing. Demonstrate effective and appropriate customer service skills, verbal and nonverbal communication techniques, interpersonal relationship skills, and time management skills. Surgical tech experience to be able to independently scrub Orthopedics, General, Robotics, Vascular, Gynecological, and Spine cases. Ability to independently cover surgical first assistant call as needed.

Additional Skills/Requirements Preferred: N/A

 The incumbent may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Demand Code: Medium to Heavy Physical Demand: The job requires constant standing, frequently

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Company

UVA Health

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