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Careers / Surgical Assistants |
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Summary Description |
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Assist surgeons during surgery by performing duties such as tissue retraction, insertion of tubes and intravenous lines, or closure of surgical wounds. Perform preoperative and postoperative duties to facilitate patient care. |
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Sample Job Titles |
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1. |
Assistant-at-Surgery |
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2. |
Certified First Assistant (CFA) |
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Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) |
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4. |
Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) |
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Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) |
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Certified Surgical Technician |
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7. |
First Assistant |
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8. |
Gastrointestinal Technician (GI Technician) |
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9. |
Operating Room Assistant |
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10. |
Operating Room Technician |
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11. |
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) |
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12. |
Surgery Technician |
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13. |
Surgical Assistant |
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14. |
Surgical Assistant-Certified (SA-C) |
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15. |
Surgical First Assistant |
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16. |
Surgical Scrub Technician (Surgical Scrub Tech) |
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17. |
Surgical Services Assistant |
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18. |
Surgical Technician (Surgical Tech) |
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Job Tasks |
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Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
- Verify accuracy of patient information.
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Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
- Maintain sterile operative fields.
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Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
- Maintain sterile operative fields.
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Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
- Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment.
- Position patients for treatment or examination.
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Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
- Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
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Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
- Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
- Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries.
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Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
- Operate on patients to treat conditions.
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Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
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Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
- Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
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Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
- Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
- Operate on patients to treat conditions.
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Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
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Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
- Implement advanced life support techniques.
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Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
- Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
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Operate sterilizing devices.
- Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
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Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
- Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
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Monitor patient intra-operative status, including patient position, vital signs, or volume and color of blood.
- Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
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Remove patient hair or disinfect incision sites to prepare patient for surgery.
- Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
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Incise tissue layers in lower extremities to harvest veins.
- Operate on patients to treat conditions.
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Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
- Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
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Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
- Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
- Maintain sterile operative fields.
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Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.
- Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
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Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
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Adjust and maintain operating room temperature, humidity, or lighting, according to surgeon's specifications.
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Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.
- Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
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Transport patients to operating room.
- Move patients to or from treatment areas.
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Postoperatively inject a subcutaneous local anesthetic agent to reduce pain.
- Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
- Administer intravenous medications.
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Insert or remove urinary bladder catheters.
- Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
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Assist in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques.
- Administer blood or other fluids intravenously.
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Work Activities |
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Assisting and Caring for Others —
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events —
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems —
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings —
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
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Getting Information —
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships —
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates —
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material —
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
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Handling and Moving Objects —
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
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Performing General Physical Activities —
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. |
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge —
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards —
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work —
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
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Controlling Machines and Processes —
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
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Performing for or Working Directly with the Public —
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
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Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People —
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
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Documenting/Recording Information —
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
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Processing Information —
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Training and Teaching Others —
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others —
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
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Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information —
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
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Interacting With Computers —
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
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Developing and Building Teams —
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
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Provide Consultation and Advice to Others —
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
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Coaching and Developing Others —
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
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Thinking Creatively —
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
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Analyzing Data or Information —
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others —
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
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Developing Objectives and Strategies —
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
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Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates —
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
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Communicating with Persons Outside Organization —
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others —
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
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Scheduling Work and Activities —
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
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Monitoring and Controlling Resources —
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. |
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Performing Administrative Activities —
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
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Selling or Influencing Others —
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions. |
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Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment —
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles. |
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment —
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. |
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Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment —
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
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Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment —
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. |
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Did you know... |
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The MyPlan.com Industry Database provides detailed profiles on 77 different U.S. industries. |
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