Surgical Assistant

Department
 

BSD ORT - Clinical Support

About the Department
 

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Chicago consists of 27 full time faculty members. Each faculty members brings with them expertise on a wide variety of Orthopaedic problems including: Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer, Bone Health and Fragility, Bone Infection Care, Foot and Ankle Care, Fracture Care, Hand and Wrist Care, Hip Care, Knee Care, Pediatric Orthopaedic Care, Shoulder and Elbow Care, Spine Care and Sports Medicine. Advanced Practice Providers are an important part of the care team and work as independent providers as part of our subspecialty teams.

Job Summary
 

The job takes comprehensive medical histories from patients and performs physical exams with a moderate level of guidance and direction. Administers or orders diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests. Performs basic and minor surgical procedures. Provides physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures to expand upon current knowledge and acquire higher-level skills.

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine is looking for a Surgical Assistant to join our team. Responsibilities include ability to participate in and actively assist the surgeon in completing the operation safely and expeditiously by helping to provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and other technical functions in our Hyde Park Location. This role will work collaboratively with surgeons, fellows, residents, APPs, nurses and scrub techs. Surgical Assistants (SAs) must meet national standards and be credentialed by the appropriate local authority. The ideal candidate is passionate about the Orthopaedic field and about providing exceptional patient care.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate the surgeon’s preferences and specific patient’s needs to surgical team including but not limited to suture needs, specialty supplies and instrumentation, patient records and equipment.

• Verifies all implants, supplies and special procedure equipment is available and functional. (i.e. microscope, tourniquet, etc.).

• Facilitates a cooperative team atmosphere through professional communication.

• Listens actively to surgeon, patient, and team to ensure safe patient-centered care.

• Maintains awareness of patient monitoring and responds appropriately to potential complications.

• Monitors the actions immediately surrounding the sterile field ensuring that the integrity is maintained and/or corrected appropriately.

• Evaluates potential causes of surgical site infections, communicating concerns and possible corrective actions to prevent and/or treat potential contamination.

• Verifies patient identification, allergies, NPO status, procedure, surgical site, consent, history and physical on chart.

• Demonstrates ability to perform a surgical skin prep selecting the correct prep for the situation and preparing the appropriate surgical prep site necessary.

• Coordinates the draping procedure effectively correcting any breaks in aseptic technique.

• Secures lines and cords in a manner that prevents loss of integrity.

• Evaluates and incorporates products to ensure effective barriers are established and maintained that prevent contamination during the entire procedure.

• Utilizes the OR equipment pertinent to the surgical procedure. All actions shall facilitate the progress of the surgery, as well as anticipate the preference(s) of the surgeon.

• Any further applicable instrumentation or actions deemed necessary by the surgeon.

• The surgical assistant should be proficient in all pertinent abilities required during a procedure.

• Participation in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques as necessary and appropriate.

• Any further applicable instrumentation or actions deemed necessary by the surgeon.

• The surgical assistant should be capable of working independently, or codependently with the surgeon, to finalize the surgery, according to the surgeon preference.

• Initiates appropriate actions or instrumentation in collaboration with the surgeon.

• Utilizes appropriate suturing techniques, according to surgeon preference, with closure of body planes and utilizing proper manipulation of suture.

• Uses running, or interrupted suture techniques Including absorbable and non-absorbable sutures, staples, adhesives, strips, etc.

• Provides healthcare and patient services including educational, research, and clinical nursing specialist support. Gathers pertinent health information and provides comprehensive direct patient