Introduction

Do you want to join an organization that invests in you as a(an) Surgical First Assistant? At Methodist Hospital Northeast, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to support our incredible team members over the course of three years.

Benefits

Methodist Hospital Northeast, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive medical coverage that covers many common services at no cost or for a low copay. Plans include prescription drug and behavioral health coverage as well as telemedicine services and free AirMed medical transportation.
• Additional options for dental and vision benefits, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, supplemental health protection plans (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity), auto and home insurance, identity theft protection, legal counseling, long-term care coverage, moving assistance, pet insurance and more.
  
• Fertility and family building benefits through Progyny
  
• Free counseling services and resources for emotional, physical and financial wellbeing
  
• Family support, including adoption assistance, child and elder care resources and consumer discounts
  
• 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service)
  
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  
• Retirement readiness and rollover services and preferred banking partnerships
  
• Education assistance (tuition, student loan, certification support, dependent scholarships)
  
• Colleague recognition program
  
• Time Away From Work Program (paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence)

Learn more about Employee Benefits

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

You contribute to our success. Every role has an impact on our patients’ lives and you have the opportunity to make a difference. We are looking for a dedicated Surgical First Assistant like you to be a part of our team.

Job Summary and Qualifications

The Surgical First Assistant works as a member of the perioperative team under the direction of the surgeon. He/she performs responsibilities of both the Surgical Technologist and the Surgical First Assistant based on department needs and as directed by the unit director or designee. The Surgical First Assistant practices within the scope of the job description and performs clinical and technical skills under surgeon supervision to assist with carrying out a safe operation with optimal patient results. This is done in collaboration with the circulating RN and other perioperative/OB team members. The Surgical First Assistant is educated and skilled in both the use of surgical instruments on tissues and the handling of instruments; however, the surgical first assistant does not concurrently function as the scrub nurse.

What you will do in this role:

• Functions as a surgical first assistant at the direction of and under the appropriate supervision of the attending surgeon; always practices within the limitations of preparation and experience and within the scope allowed by the hospital.
  
• Consistently functions at the direction of and under direct supervision (physical presence of the attending surgeon in the procedure/treatment room) of the attending surgeon. The surgical assistant scope includes:
• Providing visualization of the operative site through appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding, packing or sponges; digital manipulation of tissue; suctioning, irrigation or sponging; manipulation of suture materials; proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeon’s view.
• Utilizing appropriate permanent and temporary techniques to assist with hemostasis. Permanent hemostasis techniques include clamping and/or cauterizing vessels and tissue, tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue, applying hemostatic clips, or placing hemostatic agents. Temporary hemostasis techniques include applying tourniquets and demonstrating awareness of the indications/contraindications for use with knowledge of side effects of extended use; applying vessel loops, non-crushing clamps, or direct digital pressure.
• Administering post-operative subcutaneous local anesthetic injection
• Utilizing running or interrupted sutures with absorbable or non-absorbable material of wound layers, including muscle and fascia.
• Assisting with placement of implants
• Robotic procedures only: Insertion of subsequent (not initial) trocars. Must have documented training and competency validated (initially within by MHS Medical staff member privileged to perform robotic surgery. The documentation must include directly supervised trocar insertions on a minimum of 5 patients completed within a 12 month period with good patient outcomes
• Under direct or general perioperative supervision (surgeon/proceduralist presence in the perioperative area (pre-op department, perioperative suite, PACU, OR/procedure waiting room) and is immediately available), the surgical assistant scope includes closure of body planes and applies wound dressings per the method indicated by the attending physician:
• i. Utilizing sub-cuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips
• ii. Skin closure with suture, staples and/or spray occlusive material/skin adhesive strips
• iii. Securing drainage systems to tissue
• iv. Application of immobilizing dressin

What qualifications you will need:

• Education: Must have completed ALL of the following:
• High School Diploma or GED
• Successful completion of an accredited surgical first assistant training program.
• Meets ONE of the following:
• Graduate/completion of CAAHEP Surgical First Assistant, Surgical Assistant Program, Medical School Graduate OR an allied health professional with 2250 hours of surgical rotation.
• Practiced as a surgical technologist prior to 9/1/2009
• Experience: New hires as of 3/29/2011- 2 years experience in the perioperative setting within the last 4 years in either a surgical technologist or surgical first assistant role.
• Employee completes initial and ongoing training and competencies as defined by service line, facility and department/unit which are specific to the needs of the patient population served (if applicable).
• Minimum License, Certificates, or Registrations Required:
• Must have and maintain ONE of the following:
• A. Surgical Technologist Certification
• i. CST – Certified Surgical Technologist through the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) (formally the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist)
• OR ii. TS-C- Tech in Surgery, Certified through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• B. Surgical First Assistant certification
• i. SA-C – Surgical Assistant, Certified through the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)
• ii. CSA – Certified Surgical Assistant through the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA)
• iii. CSFA (formally CFA) – Certified Surgical First Assistant through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)

• C. LSA- Licensed Surgical Assistant through the Texas Medical Board
• Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date

This role requires you to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 based on local, state and /or federal law or regulations (unless a medical or religious exemption is approved).

Methodist Hospital Northeast has played a major role in the phenomenal economic growth experienced in northeast Bexar County. With over 232 beds, the hospital offers a full array of services including 24/7 emergency care, open heart surgery, cardiac catheterizations, vascular, neurosurgery, inpatient rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery, cancer care, intensive care and inpatient and outpatient surgeries and procedures. It is home to the Joint Replacement Academy offering the latest treatment options for knee and hip pain, as well as a neurosurgical program offering services from elective spine surgeries to advanced and comprehensive brain and spine care.

We are recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association as a Certified Primary Stroke Center; the American College of Cardiology as an Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI; and by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for having a Pathway to Excellence Program. Methodist Hospital Northeast has received the Mission: Lifeline® Bronze Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks and the Texas Award for Performance Excellence. The hospital has also been nationally recognized by Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade A. For more information, please visit our website at www.sahealth.com and select Methodist Hospital Northeast under Locations.

"Good people beget good people."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

We are a family 270,000 dedicated professionals! Our Talent Acquisition team is reviewing applications for our Surgical First Assistant opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your resume today to join our community of caring!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.