Certified Surgical Tech First Assistant - Operating Room (OR) - Berkeley Hospital

Thank you for considering a career at Roper St. Francis Healthcare!

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Work Shift:

Days/Evenings (United States of America)

Shift/hours: 3 12 hour shifts. Weekend call and holiday call required. Vascular experience preferred

Primary Function/General Purpose of Position  

The Certified Surgical Tech First Assist is a proficient level practitioner who assists surgeons and nurses with patients, equipment preparation, aseptic technique, and surgical procedures in the operating room in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and within the policies, procedures, and guidelines of the organization. They will prepare the operating room for surgery by assembling routine supplies, materials, instruments, and equipment, and will obtain special supplies indicated by physician. They are also trained to set up and operate a variety of specialized instrumentation, manual and powered equipment. 

 

Essential Job Functions  

• ​Functions as the scrub person and may assist the provider as trained during operative and other invasive procedures by assembling supplies and equipment required for the procedure. 

•  Prepares and organizes sterile supplies and instruments for the procedure and performs surgical counts with the circulating RN according to policy. 

• Maintains an organized sterile field and ensures the sterility of the field by taking corrective action as needed. Assists with the placement of sterile drapes. Provides instruments and supplies to the surgical team during the procedure and maintains aseptic technique. 

• Retrieves and collects specimens and labels specimens appropriately and correctly. 

• Reports any implanted devices, catheters, drains, and packing to the circulator. 

• Provides complete case preparation and knows, with the ability to adapt, of special instruments, supplies, and equipment needs for patient populations. 

• Assists with pre- and post-procedure cleaning of the operative or invasive procedure room and necessary instruments. 

• Participates in ongoing educational and competency verification opportunities. 

• Participates in financial accountability by utilizing resources in a cost-conscious manner and offers performance improvement initiatives. 

• Participates in all patient safety care measures. 

• Accessible for "on call" as scheduled and is available within the time frames as indicated by the department. 

• Participates in the orientation of new staff and students as assigned. 

• Prepares and performs surgical skin prep and clipping as indicated by procedure. Inserts urinary catheter as required. 

• Demonstrates flexibility regarding unit/area staffing and scheduling needs. 

• Updates physician preference cards based on market operating room design.    

• Assists in inventory of supplies and places orders as necessary. Monitors instrument sets and orders replacements or requests repairs as needed and per market guidelines. 

• Provides clinical instruction, direction and in-service training to department staff and serves as a preceptor. 

• Achieves the competencies of all simple and complex procedures in at least three of the major service lines: Neurosurgery, Cardiovascular, Orthopedic, Urology, General, Vascular, GYN, ENT, Lungs, Transplants, and Plastic (not an inclusive list). 

• Demonstrates superior knowledge of equipment and instrumentation, Lasers, MIS, Laparoscopy, Robotics. 

• Performs specific tasks of circulator role as delegated by the Registered Nurse. 

• Under the supervision of the provider may perform specific tasks of Surgical Assistant to include, surgical wound closure, and cutting sutures. 

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. 

 

Licensing/Certification 

BLS Basic Life Support (preferred upon hire, must obtain from approved source prior to direct patient care)  

 

Must be certified by one of the following: Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTA) or Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C), National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) (required) 

 

If employed in South Carolina NBSTA certification required.  If certified prior to 2008 NBSTA or NCCT certification is accepted. 

 

Education 

Associate's degree, Vocational Certification, or Military Certificate in Surgical Technology (required)   

 

Work Experience 

One year of experience as a Surgical Technologist (required) 

 

Training 

 NA 

 

Language 

NA 

 

Patient Population  

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit. 

Infant (1-12 months) 

Pediatrics (1-12 years) 

Adolescents (13-17 years) 

Adults (18-64 years) 

Geriatrics (65 years and older) 

 

Working Conditions   

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. 

May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights. 

May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.* 

May be required to use physical restraints. 

 May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.*           

May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse   

May have periods of constant interruptions. 

May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc.  

                                         

* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control. 

 

Physical Requirements  

Physical Demands 

Frequency                                              0%                  1-33%                 34-66%                 67-100% 

Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.)                                                                            X                                        

Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.)                                        X                                                                  

Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.)                                                                                       X                                        

Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.)                                                    X                                                                   

Stoop, Kneel                                                                       X                                                                 

Crawling                                                                           X                                                                         

Climbing                                                                            X                                                                        

Balance                                                                                                            X                                     

Bending                                                                                                             X                                         

                                                                                                                                         

Work Position 

Frequency                                               0%                  1-33%                 34-66%                 67-100% 

Sitting                                                                                   X                                                                    

Walking                                                                                                               X                                       

Standing                                                                                                                                       X       

                                                                                                                                      

Additional Physical Requirements/Hazards  

Physical Requirements  

Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination) 

Perform shift work 

Maneuver weight of patients 

Hear alarms/telephone/audio recordings 

Reach above shoulder 

Repetitive arm/hand movements 

Finger Dexterity 

Color Vision 

Acuity – far 

Acuity – near 

                                                                     

Hazards  

Depth perception 

Use of Latex products 

Exposure to moving mechanical parts 

Exposure to potential electrical shock 

Exposure to high pitched noises 

Gaseous risk exposure 

Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy 

Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents   

Exposure to dust/fumes 

 

Skills 

Hard/Tech/Clinical Skills: 

Monitor patient conditions during treatment 

Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care 

Analytical skills  

Working knowledge of basic sciences, such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, asepsis, sterile techniques and operating room techniques 

May operate basic equipment/machinery. 

Ability to Follow Instructions 

Completes specific, routine task 

Knowledge of AORN and AST Recommendations 

Knowledge of Microsoft Office 

 

Soft/Interpersonal Skills: 

Attention to detail 

Acceptance of authority 

Critical thinking 

Communication with family members 

Teamwork 

Conflict resolution 

Active listening 

Relationship building 

Able to Work Independently 

Anticipate Needs 

Move with a sense of urgency 

Possess Surgical Conscience 

Professionalism 

Self-Directed 

Takes Direction 

Flexible 

Preceptor 

Role model 

Roper St. Francis Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer. 

As a Roper St. Francis Healthcare teammate, you’re part of a Misson that matters. We support your well-being – personally and professionally. Our benefits are built to grow with you and meet your unique needs, every step of the way.

What we offer

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)

• Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HAS/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts

• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, and short- and long-term disability

• Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support

Benefits may vary based on the market and employment status.

Department:

Operating Room - Berkeley Hospital

It is our policy to abide by all Federal and State laws, as well as, the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). Accordingly, 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 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 [email protected].