Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Day Shift

Description:

Job Title: Surgical First Assistant
Unit: Operating Room

Employment Type: Full-time

Shift:  Monday - Friday, 8 hour day shift
Location: St. Mary Medical Center – Langhorne, PA

 

Unit Overview

Join the Operating Room team at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. St. Mary is a Level II Trauma Center and a Primary Stroke Center, with multiple specialty centers of excellence. Our surgical department features 16 operating rooms, including two hybrid ORs, and is equipped with three da Vinci surgical systems.

Our perioperative team cares for patients across a wide range of specialties, including open-heart surgery, vascular surgery, general and trauma surgery, orthopedics, spine surgery, podiatry, plastic surgery, ENT, gynecology, and urology. From scheduled procedures to urgent trauma cases, team members collaborate across disciplines and build experience in open, minimally invasive, and robot-assisted surgery.

Position Purpose

The Certified Surgical Assistant works during the pre-operative and post-operative phases under the supervision of the staff RN assigned to their given room and to the Charge RN and Patient Care Manager. The Certified Surgical Assistant works during the intra-operative, first assisting phase under the direct supervision and guidance of the surgeon. The role of the Certified Surgical Assistant is to provide skilled, competent, forward-looking, assistance to the surgeon and the surgical team throughout the surgical course. It is understood that this does not allow for any independent performance of a surgical procedure. Any surgical activities will only be performed as delegated tasks under the direct and immediate supervision of the responsible surgeon.

As a Surgical First Assist you will:

• Under surgeon supervision is able to apply casts and splints, maintain proper exposure of the surgical field, clam and ligate blood vessels, utilize appropriate manual and digital pressure to wounds or bleeding vessels. Helps in the selection and placement of x-rays for reference and applies clips.

• Functions independently in the area of wound packing, patient positioning, prepping and draping patient, hair removal with clippers, verifying patient allergies, room turnover and cleaning.

• Demonstrates aseptic technique properly

• Perform all forms of retraction under surgeon supervision.

• Assists with laparoscopic procedures

• Assists and anticipates needs of surgeon

• Injects local anesthetic

• Inserts Foley catheter

• Works as scrub technician when needed

• Recognizes and responds to adverse reactions

• Maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients and family while providing care in a high stress environment with multiple priorities

• Cares for and maintains dignity of deceased patients (post mortem, medical examiner/autopsy)

• Collects data from schedule and utilizes surgeon’s preference cards for choice of materials necessary to carry out assignments

• Maintains stock of OR room

• Demonstrates consistent communication with charge RN

• Utilizes available data to initiate and update physician’s preference cards

• Acts as a resource to other members of the surgical team

• Demonstrates the ability to respond quickly and efficiently in emergency situations

• Recognizes changes in patient condition & responds appropriately

• Reprioritizes responsibilities during emergency situation in concert with Perioperative team

• Recognizes and reports signs of intra-operative complications and emergencies to circulating nurse

Minimum Qualifications: 

• HS Diploma required; completion of Surgical Technology program
• Surgical Assistant certification required
• BLS certification required
• Previous Surgical First Assist experience highly preferred

Position Highlights and Benefits:   

• Comprehensive benefit packages, including medical, dental, vision, mental health, paid time off, 403B, education assistance and voluntary benefits (pet insurance, accident insurance, hospital indemnity and others) available from the first day of employment.  

• Work/Life balance with flexible schedules.  

• Free onsite parking.  

• Our mission and core values are what drives each member of Trinity Health to support each other, communicate openly and respectfully while embracing a culture that nurtures a healing, safe environment for all.   

• Referral Rewards Program 

About us:

St. Mary Medical Center is a beautiful 53-acre state-of-the-art facility comprised of more than 700 physicians, nearly 3,000 colleagues, and 1,100 volunteers committed to providing quality care delivered with compassion and respect.  St. Mary attracts top doctors, introduces cutting-edge technologies and implements advanced procedures to meet the healthcare needs of the people it serves, including the nearly 630,000 residents of Bucks County.  

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.