Certified First Assist

Description

Job Summary:  

The Certified First Assist to the surgeon during a surgical procedure carries out functions that will assist the surgeon in performing a safe operation with optimal results for the patient.  The CSA practices peri-operative care and has acquired the knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary to assist the surgeon through organized instruction and supervised practice.  The CSA practices under the direct supervision of the surgeon during the first assisting phase of the peri-operative role.  The CSA does not concurrently function as a scrub tech. 

Responsibilities: 

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the hospital’s mission, vision and values. 
• Implements standards of practice, reviewing and revising as necessary to include respect for and sensitivity to culture, age, age-specific competencies, and persons with disabilities that reflect a change in practice. 
• Promotes quality by incorporating current research findings, nationally recognized professional standards, and other expert literature into the provision of care, treatment and services. 
• Promotes and supports the hospital wide Continuous Quality Improvement Process using the Plan/Do/Check/Act (PDCA) process. 
• Demonstrates and maintains a thorough knowledge of Federal, State, Local laws and CMS/JACH Accreditation standards. 
• Responsible for the delivery of direct and indirect patient care in the perioperative setting through the process of assessment, planning and implementation, and evaluation for neonates, pediatrics, adolescents, adults and older adults. 
• Coordinates the care of the patient with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, directs and guides the Surgical technician and other personnel while maintaining standards of professionalism. 
• Works with other departments to provide a continuum of care and co-workers to provide continuous, quality patient care, efficient patient flow and unit maintenance and organization. 
• Responsible for adherence to regulations, standards and hospital or unit policies and procedures.  Responsible for participation in Performance Improvement activities, unit meetings and in services. 
•  Is knowledgeable of all emergency codes and emergency preparedness procedures and understands his/her role in response to each of the emergency codes (Code Blue, Code Pink, Code Green, Code Stroke, Code Orange, Code Yellow, Code Gray, Code Silver, Code Violet, etc.). 
• Will be responsible for tissue handing, providing exposure for the surgeon, using instruments, suturing, and providing hemostasis. 
• Demonstrates knowledge of surgical procedures and aseptic technique. 
• Performs all duties according to policy and procedure including infection control precautions and universal blood/fluid precautions. 
• Assists with proper positioning, prepping, and draping of the patient. 
• Provides exposure through appropriate use of instruments, retractors, suctioning, and sponging techniques. 
• Provides hemostasis and keeps the operative site dry by clamping, electrosurgery, pressure/sponging, collagens/cellulose, bone wax and other means as directed. 
• Demonstrates proper tissue handling and assist the surgeon in identifying any structure which should not be ligated. 
• Demonstrates suturing skills by proper tying, ligating of vessels, and closure of surgical site including approximation of wound layers, subcuticular closure, staples, and skin closure. 
• Recognizes changes in the patient's condition and informs the surgeon. 
• Exhibits manual dexterity, anticipates the needs of the surgeon, and demonstrates appropriate table manners. 
• Performs effectively in stressful and emergency situations. 
• Assists with moving the patient on and off the operating table and transferring the patient from the operating room. 
• Demonstrates ability to perform effectively and harmoniously as a member of the operative team. 
• Performs other related duties when necessary and as directed (i.e. assists in workroom/instrument room, transports patients, helps orient new employees, etc.). 
• Conducts timely and accurate assessments, initiates appropriate interventions, and communicates with surgeon and anesthesia. 
• Evaluates and anticipates changes in patient condition or surgical course.  Is able to manage and/or prevent emergencies or adverse events. 
• Completes all work in organized and timely manner ensuring that all orders written are carried out within the appropriate time frame and documentation is performed in “real time” in the current operating room module. 
• Able to prioritize workload to ensure appropriate tasks are completed in the order necessary to facilitate a smooth surgical case. 
• Demonstrates a positive professional attitude as evidenced by