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Surgical Assistant
Washington, DC
Job Description
Assists with the pre- and post-operative care of patient. Performs surgical procedures, under direction of a physician.
EducationAssists physician with general surgery procedures including, but not limited to: abdominal, breast, and neck procedures as well as limb amputations. Assists physician with renal/ pancreas transplants at both the main OR table or the back table. Assists physician with vascular access cases which may involve Intraoperative Fluoroscopy procedures. Provides surgical and technical assistance during the insertion of access grafts and long term dialysis catheters. Sutures the leg, arm and/or other tissues/wounds from which surgery was performed and ensures proper hemostasis of patient. Applies dressings, as needed, and may remove surgical staples/sutures, following surgical procedures. Ensures/maintains a sterile field during surgical procedures by following Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) standards/protocols. Assists in the surgical draping and positioning of patient for surgery to ensure proper body alignment. Assists the physician with the application of external fixation devices. May assist the Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in monitoring patient during anesthesia induction and performing venipunctures, starting/administering IV's. Inserts Foley catheter, rectal temperature probes, and NGT tubes as directed by the attending physician. Places electrical cautery grounding pads on patient. Assists with preoperative workup of patient, i.e. completes brief history and physicals as well as evaluates laboratory values. Assists in the monitoring and transporting the patient to the Recovery Room or Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Performs procedures for renal transplant and vascular access patients, e.g. placement of temporary access, including internal jugular, subclavian, and femeral central lines, dressing changes, etc. as directed by surgeon. Performs removal of temporary accesses and achieves hemostesis. Performs daily rounds with physician/surgeon/nurse practitioner on all transplant/vascular access patients. Reviews patient chart and films (e.g., cxr post catheter placements; angiogram/fistulogram) with the physician/surgeon, as appropriate. Assists physicians/residents/fellows and nursing staff with the post-operative care of inpatients and patients in the Emergency Room and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as required. Assists physician in evaluating postoperative patients in the Transplant/Vascular Access clinic. Evaluates arterial-venous (A-V) grafts and fistulas for function and potential problems, such as infection and clotting. Assists in the maintenance and care of permanent and temporary access lines for inpatients and outpatients, including emergency coverage. Obtains arterial lines via femoral or radial approach for monitoring purposes or to obtain blood samples. Assists in compiling statistical data regarding surgical procedures/outcomes for biomedical research and/or other purposes. Maintains and monitors supplies and equipment inventories of assigned areas, including assisting in the maintenance/care of specialty equipment used in specific clinical service areas. Maintains a high level of knowledge about specialty instrumentation. Assists in the training of surgical residents in dialysis catheter placements as well as pre and post operative teaching and the orientation of new personnel, as appropriate. Attends surgical conferences, in-service training, and continuing medical education programs as appropriate to maintain clinical expertise and certification. 
MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations.
Education
- Associate's degree required or
- Higher level degree required or
- Equivalent training such as graduation from National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) or directly related discipline required
- 1 to 3 years experience with a minimum of two years of direct, previous Surgical Assistant or equivalent experience in a general surgery program required
- Health Services \ Certified Surgical Assist - CSA from the National Surgical Assistant's Association or equivalent certification within 1 Year required
- Licensed Surgical Assistant in the District of Columbia required
MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations.
Job Summary
Start Date
As soon as possible
Employment Term and Type
Regular, Part Time
Required Education
Associate Degree
Required Experience
1 to 3 years
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