Surgical Assistants

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Certified Surgical Technician (Certified Surgical Tech); CRNFA (Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant); CSA (Certified Surgical Assistant); CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant); GI Technician (Gastrointestinal Technician); RNFA (Registered Nurse First Assistant); Scrub Technician (Scrub Tech); Surgical First Assistant; Surgical Scrub Technician (Surgical Scrub Tech); Surgical Technician (Surgical Tech)

Tasks

• Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
• Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
• Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
• Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
• Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
• Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
• Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
• Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
• 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.
• Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
• Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.
• Operate sterilizing devices.
• Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
• Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
• Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.

Knowledge

• Medicine and Dentistry
• Education and Training
• Public Safety and Security
• English Language
• Biology
• Customer and Personal Service

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Writing
• Learning Strategies
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Finger Dexterity
• Near Vision
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Clarity
• Written Comprehension
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Speech Recognition
• Information Ordering
• Control Precision
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Selective Attention
• Manual Dexterity
• Perceptual Speed
• Multilimb Coordination
• Written Expression
• Flexibility of Closure
• Hearing Sensitivity
• Category Flexibility
• Visualization
• Reaction Time
• Trunk Strength
• Auditory Attention
• Memorization
• Speed of Closure
• Time Sharing
• Wrist-Finger Speed
• Static Strength
• Far Vision