Surgical Tech - First Assistant

Position Summary

Performs in the role of first assistant to the surgeon, able to perform all the duties associated with the Scrub Tech III role, demonstrating knowledge of anatomy, physiology and carrying out functions that will assist the surgeon in performing a safe operation with optimal patient results.

ORLANDO HEALTH ORLANDO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) has served the Central Florida community for more than 100 years. With 808 beds, the downtown Orlando hospital is among the largest acute-care facilities in the region and the only Level I Trauma Center in Central Florida. The hospital has earned consistent Best Regional Hospitals recognition from U.S. News & World Report and most recently received national top-50 rankings in two adult specialties and high performing ratings in four specialties and 11 procedures and conditions, as well as a fourth Top Teaching Hospital and a seventh consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grade from the patient safety advocates at The Leapfrog Group. Orlando Health ORMC holds the most Beacon Awards for Excellence in the state, awarded by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses to units that employ evidence-based practices to improve patient and family outcomes, and has achieved Magnet® recognition, the gold standard for nursing’s contribution to quality patient care, safety, research and service excellence.

Orlando Health ORMC is part of the Orlando Health system of care, which includes award-winning hospitals and ERs, specialty institutes, urgent care centers, primary care practices and outpatient facilities that span Florida’s east to west coasts, Central Alabama and Puerto Rico. Collectively, our dedicated team members honor our over 100-year legacy by providing professional and compassionate care to the patients, families and communities we serve.

Orlando Health is committed to providing you with benefits that go beyond the expected, with career-growing FREE education programs and well-being services to support you and your family through every stage of life. We begin your benefits on day one and offer flexibility wherever possible, so that you can be present for your passions. “Orlando Health Is Your Best Place to Work” is not just something we say, it’s our promise to you.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates through clinical practice, a clear understanding of sterile techniques and has a working knowledge of the specialized instrumentation and equipment required for a variety of specialty procedures.
• Able to anticipate and prioritize the needs of the various steps associated with the procedure.
• Takes part in sponge, needle and instrument counts as dictated by the procedure.
• Responsible for maintaining the surgical specimens in a manner which identifies and preserves them for pathology evaluation.
• Assists in ordering and stocking of specialty supplies under the direction of management staff and departmental guidelines.
• Performs under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon.
• Understands the role of the first assistant in relation to the surgical team under the supervision of the circulating nurse.
• Communicates appropriate information regarding the patient’s condition to the RN and other members of the surgical team.
• Responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of all surgical procedures and effectively providing assistance to the surgeon during those procedures requiring an assistant.
• Activities to include, but not limited to, positioning the patient, draping the patient, clamping and tying, cauterizing superficial bleeders, providing exposure through the use of retractors, maintaining a dry field through the use of suction equipment, following and cutting sutures, suturing subcutaneous skin and wound closure as directed by the surgeon.

Qualifications

Education/Training:  
      • High School Graduate Required

• Graduate of accredited Surgical Technology program Required
• Successful completion of an accredited First Assistant training course which includes didactic and supervised clinical learning components Required

Licensure/Certification:

• CST - Certified Surgical Technologist by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) (www.nbstsa.org) – renewed every 4 years or
• Tech in Surgery - Certified by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) (www.ncctinc.com) – renewed annually
• Maintains current BLS/HealthCare Provider certification.

Experience: Three (3) years of recent Cardiac/Open Heart Surgical Technology experience required