JOB DESCRIPTION - Surgical Assistant Registry

GENERAL SUMMARY/BASIC FUNCTION: Functions as a first or second assistant in surgical procedures. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the care of the perioperative patient. Collaborates with the surgical team to ensure the highest standard of care is provided. Anticipates assigned case and surgeon needs. Does not function concurrently in the scrub technician role.

Uses advanced clinical skills of patient positioning, tissue handling, retraction, suturing, and wound dressing under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon. Acts in a professional manner outlined by Holy Cross Hospital’s core values of customer service: Respect, Excellence, Attitude, Compassion, and Holistic Care (REACH). Rating Scale: 3 - Highly Effective – Performance level standards are substantially surpassed 2 - Effective – Performance level standards are consistently met

* 1 - Requires Development – Performance level standards are inconsistently met, performance is variable; improvement must be made. *Employees at this level must receive a consistent rating of 2 or higher on each of the Values and Performance standards listed on the evaluation. Anything less than a rating of 2 on this page will be treated the same as an overall rating of 2 or less. Our Mission: Holy Cross Hospital is a Catholic health care organization sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Casimir. By our commitment to witness to the healing mission of Jesus we contribute to healthy communities and promote quality health care. Our Values: Our Commitment is to provide the full spectrum of diagnostic, therapeutic, preventative and rehabilitative services consistent with our role as a community hospital while demonstrating the values of Respect, Excellence, Attitude, Compassion and Holistic care. Respect – We treat persons of all races, creeds, and socioeconomic backgrounds with dignity promoting an inclusive, collaborative environment where all are empowered to work together. Score Excellence –

We excel in our care of patients through highly qualified staff and physician, continuous improvement, advanced technology, on-going education, and wise and efficient us of resources. Score Attitude - We demonstrate enthusiasm and courtesy to our patients, co-workers, physicians, and visitors, guided by moral and ethical standards. Score Compassion - We attend to the needs of our patients and their families with tender care and empathy by addressing their fears, pain and suffering. Score Holistic Care – We work together to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our patients. Score PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Demonstrates knowledge and competency in technical and clinical skills. Verifies case supplies/instruments and equipment needed for surgical procedures. Ensures their availability and proper working order prior to each assigned case. Score Assists in opening sterile supplies for each assigned surgical procedure, prior to patient entering the room Score . Performs pre-operative patient visit, when able, to assess the status and needs of the patient in order to develop an individualized plan of care. Score Identifies the surgical site per policy and participates in the “time-out” protocol. Score Provides a sterile field for surgical procedures. Ensures that the members of the surgical team are properly attired and drapes/assists the surgeon with draping the patient to isolate the operative site. Applies the principles of asepsis under all circumstances. Score Maintains the sterile field by applying the principles of aseptic techniques and informing the surgical team of infractions.

Takes appropriate corrective measures to resolve. Score Anticipates the needs of the operating surgeon. Able to perform skillfully and knowledgeably in all situations. Score Provides exposure of the operative site by the appropriate use of retraction and attention to anatomical structures. Score Uses surgical instrumentation and equipment skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose, as directed by the operating surgeon.. Score Primary Responsibilities and Duties (Cont’d) Provides homeostasis to reduce potential for fluid volume deficit as directed by the operating surgeon. Score Handles all variety of tissue appropriately to reduce potential for injury or compromised blood supply. Score Sutures skillfully all varieties of tissue with appropriate technique and suture materials. Assists in closure of wound or independently closes under the direction of the operating surgeon. Score Expedites a timely room turn-around by assisting in (but not limited to) linen/waste/supply/equipment removal, and/or housekeeping duties.

Score Assists with the transfer and transport of the surgical patient. Score 2. Demonstrates knowledge and competency of supply inventory, utilization, and cost-effective practices. Assists in the maintenance of supply inventory by communicating, well in advance, low PAR stock levels to the appropriate specialty team leader or Surgery Inventory Manager. Score Assists in the arranging for borrowing/lending/purchasing of special equipment/instrumentation/supplies well in advance of case. Score Prepares and uses equipment according to manufacturers’ instructions. Maintains equipment in good working order, tags broken equipment for repair or replacement. Notifies the Charge Nurse or Surgery Inventory Manager of out-of-service or repair/replacement need. Score Makes suggestions for cost-efficient practices within the perioperative area Score Demonstrates ability and willingness to perform other duties as requested by department management within scope of practice (i.e.: run errands, assists peers with job tasks, participates in departmental quality initiatives, etc.) Asks for clarification of duties as needed to complete the task accurately and in a timely manner. Score Performs required tasks in a manner that supports organizational Mission, Values and Performance Standards. Score Adheres to all organizational policies and procedures. Score Attends department meetings and in-services and conducts in-services as needed. Score Completes all required competencies. Score Compliant with Holy Cross Hospital Attendance Standards. Score KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: Education and/or Licensure requirements: Graduate of an Accredited Surgical Assistant or RN First Assistant or Surgical Technician First Assistant program; or a licensed surgeon in another country, certification preferred. Current CPR Certification, required. ACLS, preferred. Compliant with PPD requirements Experience: Three years surgical assistant experience in an acute care hospital, preferred. Interpersonal Skills: Works with other health care professionals/ disciplines in a team atmosphere. Excellent communication and customer service skills required. Ability to respond quickly and competently to requests by other staff members. Must be able to maintain patient confidentiality. Analytical Abilities: Ability to critically think and make decisions in a stressful environment. Ability to prioritize tasks to ensure safety of the patient. Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced work environment. Other Required Skills: Work may require standing for long periods of time. Bending, stooping, kneeling, pushing and pulling and weightlifting is required. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to perform tasks needed.

Vision must be correctable to 20/20 and hearing must be correctable to within normal range. Working Conditions: Exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, radiation from fluoroscopy and x-rays, and other conditions common to hospital setting. Rapid pace with distractive surroundings. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to: Director Surgical Services / in her absence the Charge Nurse Supervises: None The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.