Surgical First Assistant

Do you want to join an organization that invests in you as a(an) Surgical First Assistant? At Rapides Regional Medical Center, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to support our incredible team members over the course of three years.

Job Summary and Qualifications

The Surgical First Assistant performs the functions and duties of a Surgical Technician, with additional responsibilities of a Certified First Assistant. Provides assistance to the surgeon in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that will help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. Under direct supervision of the surgeon, the Surgical First Assistant will work within the scope of practice for the non-MD First Assistant set forth by the American College of Surgeons and by Rapides Regional Medical Center.

What you will do in this role:

• Demonstrates accountability for knowing and achieving quality and safety goals

• Maintains a safe and secure environment for patients and staff

• Accurately follows established protocols to optimize patient safety including, but not limited to:

• Patient positioning and exposure

• Padding pressure points

• Safe utilization of OR tables

• Performs patient exposure specific for the surgical procedure and implements measures to maintain normothermia

• Takes precautionary measures in preventing circulatory impairment or neurological damage related to patient positioning.

• Equipment checks: Demonstrates accountability for properly functioning equipment for assigned shift

• Assist in the performance of quality checks as delegated by the Circulating RN or Charge Nurse

• Assumes responsibility for equipment malfunctioning during shift by requesting repair or reporting/documenting appropriately if unable to be repaired/resolved during shift

• Utilizes OR tables and equipment in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.

• Assures equipment is functional before use.

• Willingly accepts patient care assignments

• Ensures that established Standards of Care are met in the delivery of care to all patients of all age groups

• Maintains accountability for the practice of standard precautions and infection control principles.

• Assists with the set-up and take-down of OR suites.

• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to changes in practice

• Demonstrates adherence to the practices of safety and infection control and the reporting requirements for each

• Monitors and controls the surgical environment

• Accurately practices principles of aseptic technique

• Initiates corrective action when breaks in sterile techniques occur

• Inspects sterile items for contamination before opening

• Maintains sterility while opening sterile items

• Adheres to designated dress code

• Processes surgical instruments/equipment in accordance with established standards

• Utilizes protective equipment/supplies according to hospital policy

• Demonstrates ownership in the delivery of a patient-centered care model with every patient

• Demonstrates accountability for performing within the defined privileges of a Surgical First Assistant as approved by the American College of Surgeons

• Possesses strong knowledge of surgical instruments inventory

• Appropriately places and secures retractors with or without padding.

• Performs digital manipulation of tissues

• Utilizing appropriate techniques for layered closure of the surgical site

• Safely clamps, cauterizes, ties, or ligates vessels or tissue

• Assists in maintaining hemostasis by methods of injection, manual, and/or topical methods

• Safely applies tourniquets and demonstrates awareness of the indications/contraindications as well as potential complications of extended use.

• Able to perform manipulation and dissection/removal of tissues as directed by the surgeon

• Aides in implanting, securing, and/or removal of devices and drains.

• Applies appropriate dressing material specific to the procedure

What qualifications you will need:

• Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date

• (CSFA) Certified Surgical First Assistant, or (CSA) Certified Surgical Assistant, or (SA-C) Surgical Assistant Certified

• 2 Years of Experience as a Surgical Scrub Tech Required

Benefits

Rapides Regional Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services

• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services

• Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence

• Savings and retirement resources , including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling

• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing

• Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Learn more about Employee Benefits (https://careers.hcahealthcare.com/pages/employee-benefits-and-rewards)

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

Rapides Regional Medical Center is a 350+ bed hospital and ER in Alexandria, Louisiana. We offer services ranging from Cancer Care to Wound Care. Our medical staff includes doctors in more than 30 medical specialties. At Rapides Regional we believe that well-defined values are the key to nurturing staff and patient satisfaction. By joining our team you contribute to the positive culture of the hospital. This culture impacts the well-being of patients and their families. It also impacts your colleagues, and your own personal job satisfaction. Learn what our commitment to patient satisfaction, service excellence and professional expertise can do for your career.

HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.

"Good people beget good people."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.

HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

We are a family 270,000 dedicated professionals! Our Talent Acquisition team is reviewing applications for our Surgical First Assistant opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your resume today to join our community of caring!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.