Certified surgical assistant vs surgical first assistant

Differences between certified surgical assistant and surgical first assistant duties and responsibilities

Certified surgical assistant example responsibilities.

• Administer nursing care under direct supervision to assign residents and patients in order to achieve maximum level of independence.
• Utilize suturing techniques to assist with closure of body planes.
• Maintain correct operative counts of sponges, instruments and sharps.
• Specialize in patient interaction to inform patients of their diagnosis, conditions and procedures and/or surgical intervention need.
• Provide patient with positive/negative pathology results, pre-op, assist, post-op and provide patient education regarding their procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of importance of registering patients while maintaining complete confidentiality according to the HIPPA laws.

Surgical first assistant example responsibilities.

• Manage floor, ICU and rehab in-patients as well as respond to ER and hospital consultation.
• Appropriate placement and securing of retractors.
• Insert and remove Foley urinary bladder catheter.
• Comply with all HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Hold retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.
• Assist on total knee and hip replacements as well as fracture care.
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