Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position
The primary responsibility of this position is that of a team member in the provision of care to the patient undergoing a surgical procedure. The team member functions in the assistant role during procedures, under supervision of the MD, and performs duties which include but are not limited to, providing exposure, assisting with hemostasis, skin closure, and other technical tasks. The team member also functions in a variety of other duties, in support of the mission and goals of the department and hospital.
Essential Functions
Culture of Caring: Demonstrates a caring attitude and intentional caring behaviors in interpersonal interactions and patient/family care. Provides appropriate emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients, families, and coworkers. Able to manage personal stress through setting healthy boundaries and self-care behaviors. Provides for patient comfort. Assists with positioning of patients, provides protection for pressure points, and keeps body parts in proper alignment. Individual demonstrates that actions and decisions are consistent with the hospital’s mission statement, core values and strategic plan
Culture of Safety: Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age and needs of the patients served on his or her assigned unit. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of patient’s status. Interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the departmental policies and procedures. Performs surgical hand scrub, gowning, and gloving according to policy. Routinely functions as First or Second assists on assigned cases. Functions in the scrub role as assigned, demonstrating knowledge and implementation of sterile technique. Checks all instruments to ensure they are in proper working order prior to use. Assists with sponge, sharps, and instrument counts per policy and procedures. Handles specimens in accordance with hospital policy and procedure. Protects patient information based on hospital policy and government regulations to assure information is kept confidential. Participates in unit and hospital efforts to reduce adverse patient care events. Actively participates in the Universal Protocol procedures that assure correct site surgery.
Communication: Communicates clearly all pertinent patient information to other members of the health care team. Communicates effectively with the circulating nurse upon observance of any missing or malfunctioning instruments and/or indication of any compromise to sterility. Informs the nurse in a timely manner, any surgeon requests or other indication for needed changes to the preference list.
Excellence: Assists with OR case preparation: Utilizes surgeon’s preference list to procure equipment and arrange proper placement in the OR; Utilizes aseptic technique when establishing the sterile field, opening supplies and instruments; Assists with monitoring and maintaining the sterile field. Assists with patient positioning, skin prepping, foley catheterization and draping. Under the direct observation of the surgeon, may: Insert secondary trocars; Place instruments through trocars; Utilize power equipment and stapling devices (other than skin stapling); Inject infiltration local anesthetic medications excluding Exparel. During surgical procedures: Use sponges and suction; Cauterization processes; Appropriately place and manipulate retractors (with or without padding); Irrigate the wound site(s); Cut suture material, handle hemostats, and tie suture; Provide assistance securing drains to tissue. Closes the surgical wound: May assist suture closing of fascia layer under the direct observation of the surgeon; Sutures the subcutaneous tissues and skin including with the use of a skin stapler if needed. Applies appropriate wound dressings, including medicated dressings.
Supports nursing staff’s efforts to exceed patient satisfaction rates for the nursing unit. Supports efforts to exceed targets for employee engagement, recruitment, and retention for nursing units. Strives to provide quality patient care that is cost effective by cooperating with efforts to appropriately manage the use of valuable hospital and human resources.
Innovation: Achieves outcomes that consistently meet or exceed generally accepted clinical standards for the discipline. Participates in relevant quality improvement activities. Demonstrates an awareness of current literature (research) in area of practice and participates in unit based research activities as appropriate.
Professionalism: Refrains from inappropriate behavior outlined in the “employee code of conduct” policy toward members of the hospital and medical staff, patients, or their families. Identifies self learning needs and seeks resources to meet those needs. Demonstrates knowledge of the procedure and consideration of the anatomy involved.
Teamwork: Acts in a professional, respectful manner with patients, physicians, and other hospital personnel to enhance a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect and trust among members of the patient care team. Assists the team members in selecting and preparing necessary supplies, instruments, and equipment for surgical procedures. Anticipates, assists, and provides for the needs of the surgeon to include draping, correct instruments, and supplies. Participates in room turnover procedures including set-up and clean-up protocols. Demonstrates awareness of clinical and administrative resources and utilizes them appropriately in meeting patient/family or coworker needs.
Other Job Functions: Accepts temporary reassignments to other nursing units and facilities. Assists members of the surgical team in the proper positioning of the patient, transporting patients as needed, and clipping of hair from the surgical site. Responds within specified time frames when on call. Assists in the orientation and training of new staff. Other duties and projects as assigned.
This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.
Employment Qualifications
Required Minimum Education:
High School Diploma or GED
Licensure/Certification Required:
CPR,. To meet credentialing requirements you must be certified or trained in the military, and/or registered with the Virginia Board of Medicine. Certification must be by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), or the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA), or the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA), or successors. The American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) IS NOT accepted by the VA Board of Medicine.
Minimum Years and Type of Experience:
Two (2) years experience and/or completion of Surgical Assistant program.
Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance w/AD&D
Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
Paid time off
Educational Assistance
And much more
*Benefits offerings vary according to employment status
All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com