Surgical Tech First Asst

Temp to Perm: Temp
Travel (Y/N): Y
Length of Assignment: 13 weeks
Work Location: Plano, TX
Work Schedule: 4x10s, Tue–Fri, no call required
Shifts: AM
Interview Type: 1 round, phone or Teams
Specialty: OR
Certification/Degree Requirements: BLS, CSFA (NBSTSA)
Top Skills/Min Exp: 4 yrs min experience, Davinci Xi Robot experience required
Scrub Color: Provided

Last Updated: 02/24/2025

JOB SUMMARY
The Surgical Tech First Assistant works in a dual role as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and a First Assistant. This position assists surgeons and surgical teams during major surgical services and complex surgical procedures. This position functions under the direction of a Registered Nurse when performing the role of CST, and works under the direction of a Surgeon when performing the role of First Assistant.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS of the ROLE

• Ensures appropriate supplies, equipment and instrumentation are available, opened and functioning properly for each procedure.

• Creates, corrects and updates surgeon preference cards to reflect equipment, radiology, supplies and specialty notes for current and future procedures.

• Pulls, opens and sets up cases.

• Coordinates with surgeons on specialty equipment and supply needs prior to procedure, and assists in constructing specialty instrument trays.

• Prepares operating room according to surgical procedure schedules, and arranges sterile setups of instrument table supplies and equipment required for specific procedures.

• Wraps instruments in preparation for gas or steam sterilization.

• Performs quality control procedures on equipment and reports any issues.

• Ensures cleanliness of the OR before and after surgery.

• Scrubs for cases in major surgical services according to established procedures and standards requiring advanced knowledge of anatomy, surgical instruments, surgeons' preferences and other technical knowledge.

• Educates and prepares surgical teams according to procedure.

• Assists with or performs the positioning, prepping and draping of the patient.

• Assists the surgeon during surgical procedures, i.e., passes sterile supplies and equipment to surgeons and assistants, holds retractor devices, anticipates and responds to the surgical team needs, ties off vessels and tissues, repairs incisions and lacerations, cuts and cauterizes tissues, stabilizes drains, applies wound dressings, etc. as needed and as directed for wide variety of surgical cases.

• Performs complex surgical techniques as needed and as directed by physician and in accordance with Texas Product of practice for surgical scrub tech first assistants.

• Receives surgical specimens following specimen protocol and notifies circulating nurse of source material and delivers to appropriate location.

• Contacts the pharmacy for RX with Registered Nurse or circulating nurse collaboration.

• Coordinates and collaborates with system vetting vendors on behalf of surgeon and department.

• Researches and coordinates quotes for capital purchase, new equipment and supplies with specialty coordinators.

• Requisitions supplies.

• Keeps current regarding developments in surgical equipment, trends and techniques through attendance at in-service or other internal education programs.

• Acts as a resource and preceptor to those learning the scrub role.

• Supports the department through in-services, precepting and mentoring staff accordingly.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

• Must have good communication skills.

• Must have excellent knowledge of operating room protocol.

• Must be able to work effectively with all hospital departments.

• Must have excellent knowledge of patient protocols within a clinic setting.

• Must be able to work well with all members of the office staff.

• Must be able to assist the physician in all aspects of the practice including assisting in surgery.