Surgical First Assist

Join our team at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and experience world-class healthcare at its best. Indian River Hospital is in sunny Florida’s Treasure Coast where it is committed to providing optimal family-centric and community-focused care. At Indian River Hospital, you will be part of a collaborative, compassionate, and innovative team of caregivers. You will work with state-of-the-art technology and will build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world. 

The Department of General and Specialized Surgery evaluates and treats common and complex conditions affecting the abdomen, gastrointestinal system, and breasts. Our experienced caregivers are skilled in minimally invasive methods, including robotic-assisted surgery and laparoscopic surgery. 

As a Surgical First Assistant, you will report directly to the Lead Surgical Care Practitioner and support Orthopedic, General, and Gynecological Consultants during various surgeries and assist patients throughout their perioperative care. You’ll work closely with surgical care practitioners, consultants, and nursing teams to ensure smooth operations and proper equipment use. You will also assist in the role of Scrub Tech, gaining hands-on experience and learning a variety of valuable skills which provides opportunities for career advancement and professional growth within the Cleveland Clinic.

A caregiver in this position works days from 6:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  

A caregiver who excels in this role will:  

• Assist with critical procedures and tasks related to specific training, score and orientation. 

• Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and other team members with respect to the requirements for the surgical procedure. 

• Use knowledge of OR procedures with respect to attire, infection control and compliance practices. 

• Prepare for the procedure or surgery by participating in the performance of the safety check/universal protocol determining the specific equipment needed, reviewing permits to confirm procedures and special needs, assisting in moving and positioning the patient, selecting x-rays for reference, inserting and removing Foley urinary bladder catheter, and draping the patient. 

• Support the Surgeon during the procedure or surgery by retracting tissue and organs, maintaining hemostasis by direct pressure, use of appropriate instrumentation, placing ties or ligatures, or applying chemical hemostatic agents, using electrocautery mono and bi-polar, clamping, and ligating and cutting tissue. 

• Maintain integrity of the sterile field, closing all wound layers, inserting drainage tubes, applying wound dressing and assisting with resuscitation or any other events in the OR. 

• Perform any other duties or procedures incident to the surgical procedure deemed necessary and directed and supervised by the surgeon. 

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:  

• Associate’s degree OR Certification as a First Assist and a minimum of two years’ experience if first assist certification is achieved prior to August 2021. 
• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Assistant program 

• Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) within the first year of hire 

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) 

• Two years of peri-operative practice in an acute care facility  

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:    

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) 
• Laser Safety Course

Our caregivers continue to create the best outcomes for our patients across each of our facilities. Click the link and see how we’re dedicated to providing what matters most to you: https://jobs.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-2/ 

Physical Requirements:

• The post holder is frequently exposed to episodes of exertion, for example whilst moving and handling anaesthetised patients or lifting surgical trays. The post holder will be required to lift, push and pull objects, e.g. patient positioning equipment, theatre equipment and trolleys. The post holder may be required to spend long periods in one position 
• Alongside the Lead SCP maintain awareness of teams wellbeing and support appropriate delegation of team workload 
• The post holder may be required to work at different desks and computers from time to time, depending on availability. Standard keyboard skills required. The role demands VDU use. 

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.