Surgical Assistant Job Description
Surgical assistant
provides surgeon appropriate instruments and supplies, following sterile technique, in anticipation of surgeon's need or at surgeon's request.
Surgical Assistant Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective surgical assistant job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included surgical assistant job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Anticipating the needs of the surgeon in order to expedite the procedure, while minimizing the patient’s exposure to surgical and anesthetic stress
Temperature of patient is discussed anesthesia personnel to and methods used to maintain the desired temperature range
Assists the surgeon by providing retraction and aiding exposure of the operative site
Facilitates hemostasis of the surgical site by performing suction, irrigation and sponging the operative site during a surgical procedure
Assists with skin or external suturing and stapling as per surgeon’s directive
Assist with clamping and/or cauterizing vessels or tissue, as directed
Participate in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques as appropriate
Assists with securing drainage systems and dressings
Provides hemostasis by clamping blood vessels, coagulation bleeding points, ligation of vessels and by other means as directed by the surgeon
Remains aware of safety precautions required to minimize the possibility of patient injuries Prevention of Surgical Fires
Surgical Assistant Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Surgical Assistant
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: BLS, CPR, ACLS, ATLS, NCCPA, PA, ARC, DEA, BCLS, CNA
Education for Surgical Assistant
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the surgical assistant job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Associate and Bachelor's Degree in Education, Nursing, Technical, Medical, Patient Care, Physician Assistant, Physician Assistant Studies, Nursing Program, Medical Terminology, Medical Assistant
Skills for Surgical Assistant
Desired skills for surgical assistant include:
Anatomy/physiology
Application of sterile technique and surgical care
Own specified area
Surgical conditions
Side effects of extended use
Their clinical signs and symptoms and alternative forms of treatment in various age populations
Normal and pathologic anatomy and physiology
Policies and procedures both organizational and departmental
Sterile technique
Sterile technique and operating room environment
Desired experience for surgical assistant includes:
Restocks area daily, using appropriate par levels and daily stock sheets, as per facility practice
Prepares procedure room for use the following day by bringing in equipment, setting up, "pulling cases" accurately, and reporting to supervisor items that are needed and not available, as per facility practice
Prepare and grades examinations and lab check offs based upon course objectives and published exam schedule and returns all assignments in a timely manner
Works with the instructor, at the designated time, to coordinate final grades for all students on the class roster
Perform History and Physical Examinations pre-anesthesia evaluations in Pre-Admission Testing and Interventional Radiology as assigned
Following hospital approved procedures, performs turnover cleaning of the operating room
Surgical Assistant Examples
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Surgical Assistant Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of surgical assistant. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for surgical assistant
- Prepare OR rooms for surgical cases, transports specimens and blood to the appropriate laboratory, and escort or transport patients in a safe manner utilizing the appropriate equipment when necessary
- Assist nursing staff in specific direct patient care activities, performs inventory and set-up of reusable/disposable sterile supplies and equipment, in collaboration with the surgical team
- Assists patient and family prior to surgery as directed
- Assist patients in the performance of personal care, toileting, intake/output
- Plans, organizes and performs as a surgical technologist, including the collection of equipment, instruments and supplies necessary for procedures
- Assists in positioning of patients, including draping during procedures
- Continually works in a neat, organized, safe and efficient manner
- Assists in cleaning and restocking
- Assist surgical staff members in the daily operations of the OR, including case cart management, procurement of supplies and instruments, sterilization of instruments, and operating room housekeeping duties under the supervision of the registered nurse and/or manager
- Maintain a clean and organized department including equipment and surgical instruments
Qualifications for surgical assistant
- Must be licensed or be license eligible in Delaware
- Two years’ experience in operating room and inpatient management preferred
- Must have an x-ray license for the state of Virginia
- Must have experience working as a Surgical Dental Assistant
- Experience working as a Surgical Dental Assistant, prefer 3 years
- Completion of accredited surgical technologist program or equivalent work experience
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Surgical Assistant Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is hiring for a surgical assistant. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for surgical assistant
- Work closely with the perioperative team, and assist the circulating RN as necessary during procedures
- Provides first and second assisting in General Surgery and other surgical subspecialties as needed and
- Assists in positioning patient for surgical procedure while maintaining patient comfort and safety by padding points of pressure, assure circulation is not impaired, and precautions against nerve damage
- Discuss the temperature of the patient with the anesthesia personnel and methods to be employed to maintain the desired temperature range
- Provides adequate exposure and visualization of the surgical site by securing retractors, packing with sponges, digital manipulation of tissue and proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeon’s view
- Apply appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis
- Maintains safe environment at the surgical field in accordance with hospital policy, laws and regulations
- Assist physicians with laser treatments including preparing skin for treatment, applying Polysporin and dressings, also any other needs as determined by the physician
- Assist with maintaining inventory of surgical supplies required in surgical area and alert Clinical Coordinator of supplies required
- Assist with routine maintenance of surgical area
Qualifications for surgical assistant
- Surgical or Perio Dental Assistant experience, a plus
- CPR validation may be required within three months of hire depending upon work area specific requirement
- Certified Medical Assistant through American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
- American Medical Technologies (AMT)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMA)
- Successful completion of course in surgical technology required
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Surgical Assistant Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is searching for experienced candidates for the position of surgical assistant. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for surgical assistant
- Provide any other clinical assistance to patients within the surgical area such as pre-op and post-op instructions and wound care
- Provide immediate, skilled, accurate and timely surgical assistance to the physicians utilizing surgery in both general and cosmetic surgery areas, including setting up, assisting clean up
- Reporting to the Nurse Manager, with direction from the Registered Nurse &/or LVN, this position is responsible for providing high quality, individualized basic care activities
- Prepare patient charts, clinical instruments
- May conduct limited x-ray exams
- May serve as the first point of contact in the Physician Office
- Prepare monthly staffing schedules
- Make daily changes to the schedule
- Coordinate with charge nurses for daily staffing needs
- Communicate needs and availability of per diem staff to supplement regular staff
Qualifications for surgical assistant
- One (1) year experience as Surgical Tech required
- Certification from the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- New Jersey License from the State Board of Medical Examiners – Physician Advisory Committee
- One (1) year of surgical experience, in major surgical procedures is required
- Washington State NA-C licensure required
- Graduate of an accredited Registered/Professional Nursing program and of an AORN-approved Surgical First Assistant program, including NIFA
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Surgical Assistant Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking for a surgical assistant. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for surgical assistant
- Minimize use of overtime and other pay differentials
- Utilize appropriate techniques to assist with closure of the body planes as indicated by the surgeon
- Complete all documentation and required forms immediately after the surgical case
- Gives and assists with all types of cleansing baths and shampoos
- Makes all types of beds
- Assists with the use of bedpans and urinals
- Assists patients in deeding themselves, or feeds those who cannot
- Assists with assembling equipment for sterile procedures, administration of oxygen and vacuum/suction set-up
- Takes and records temperatures, blood pressure, pulse, O2 saturation, pain, height and weight
- Obtain and record vitals on patients requiring more than routine vital signs of the immediate post-op patient and patients who have uncomplicated special diagnostic procedures
Qualifications for surgical assistant
- Completion of Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) nationally recognized training
- One year surgical experience required, 3-5 years surgical experience background highly preferred
- Active New Jersey State Physician Assistant license
- 1+ years of Surgical and Robotics experience
- Local Anesthesia Certification in the state in which you work is required
- CPR Certification in the state in which you work is required
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Surgical Assistant Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is hiring for a surgical assistant. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for surgical assistant
- Apply and remove binders and bandages
- Assist with the application of orthopedic and prosthetic devices
- May Suction tracheotomies externally with a yankar on established tracheotomies
- Job activities and responsibilities will be focused in the Operating Room and with immediate pre and post-op care
- Works with perioperative staff, eight surgeons, medical staff, and vendors to preoperatively plan for surgical cases
- Enter post-operative orders for patients when requested by and under the supervision of the operating surgeon
- Reconcile pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative medications for each patient when requested by and under supervision of the operating surgeon
- Perform post-operative evaluation of inpatients and document such evaluation in the Medical Record, when requested by and under supervision of the operating surgeon
- Assist in nutritional management of post-operative patients, including development and adherence of protocols to advance diets
- Assist surgeons with discharge services
Qualifications for surgical assistant
- Able to obtain certification within 6 months of employment
- Ability to work routinely without direct supervision
- Ability to understand and implement infection control and hospital safety practiced
- Assisting with overall teamwork of the department when irregular situations occur (i.e., illness, vacation)
- Training coworkers to perform duties when needed
- 2 years of administrative experience supporting director/senior director and their teams/departments