Job Description:

Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family centered care in the OR and other areas of perioperative services for all patient populations. Functions as a CSFA during operative and other invasive procedures and throughout the perioperative continuum in accordance with scope of practice credentials, privileges, experience, education, and competency verification.

JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
Positioning the patient:

The surgeon shall convey the exact position that will give the best exposure for the surgical procedure. The surgical assistant will carry out this order. Consideration will be given to the patient's comfort and safety.
Points of pressure shall be padded: elbows, heels, knees, eyes, face, and axillary region.
Circulation shall not be impaired. (A tourniquet may be required for some procedures.)
Nerve damage shall be guarded against.
The temperature of the patient should be discussed with the anesthesia personnel and methods employed to maintain the desired temperature range.
The surgical assistant shall be familiar with common positions related to surgical procedure and will be able to use the equipment necessary to provide the position. Competencies will include the following: fracture tables, head stabilizers, body stabilizers, C-arm extensions, and any other equipment needed.
Upon completion of the procedure, the patient shall be evaluated for any possible damage from positioning which will include assessment of the skin. The abnormal condition shall be reported to the surgeon and treatment and documentation shall be carried out.

Providing visualization of the operative site by the following:

Appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding.
Packing with sponges.
Digital manipulation of tissue.
Suctioning, irrigating, or sponging.
Manipulation of suture materials (e.g., loops, tags, running sutures).
Proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeon's view.

Utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis

Permanent clamping and/or cauterizing vessels or tissue, tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue, applying hemostatic clips, and placing local hemostatic agents.
Temporary applying tourniquets and demonstrating awareness of the indications/contraindications for use with knowledge of side and effects of extended use.
Temporary applying vessel loops, applying non-crushing clamps, and applying direct digital pressure.

Participating in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques as appropriate.
Utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes:

Utilizing running or interrupted sutures with absorbable or nonabsorbable material of wound layers, including muscle and fascia.
Utilizing subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips.
Closing skin with method per surgeon's directive (suture, staples, etc.
Postoperative subcutaneous injection of local anesthetic per surgeon's directive.

Selecting and applying appropriate wound dressings, including the following:

Liquid or spray occlusive materials
Absorbent material affixed with tape or circumferential wrapping.
Immobilizing dressing (soft or rigid).

Providing assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS: Subject to overtime as required by the institution.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE and REGISTRATION:

Graduate from an accredited school of surgical technology
Graduate from an accredited program in surgical assisting or another pathway acceptable to the NBSTSA and satisfactory performance on a nationally certified examination.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Acute care experience performing the task of a CSFA
Ability to work as a team with multiple departments
Basic computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Word).

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form.
Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy in making recommendations, reporting errors or problems, securing information, or discussing patient treatments when dealing with physicians and staff on a frequent basis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Physically demanding, high-stress environment.
Exposure to blood, sharps, body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motion.
Pushing and pulling heavy objects.
Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients
Manual and finger dexterity.
Hand and eye coordination.
Standing and walking for extensive periods of time.
Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 lbs.
Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range.
Working under stressful conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position involves potential exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals and other hazardous materials, radiation, and repetitive motions. Team members are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.

COMMENTS:
This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions, and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

This position is a Safety Sensitive Position. The essential functions, physical demands, and mental competencies of this job require the employee maintain the ability to work in a constant state of alertness in a safe manner.

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