Surgical assistant vs scrub nurse

Differences between surgical assistant and scrub nurse duties and responsibilities

Surgical assistant example responsibilities.

• Manage medical records and document examination notes, prescriptions, and procedure details in EMR.
• Manage surgical scheduling, cataract evaluations, ultrasounds, keratometry, IOL selection, and preoperative exam for surgery.
• Prepare patients for examination by taking their vitals, and performing EKG when need.
• Assist with all dental procedures, order all supplies, maintain equipment and OSHA handbook.
• Assist surgeons in surgical procedures making incisions, manipulating tissues and organs, cauterizing, suturing and dressing wounds.
• Interview patients, review patient medical history, gather and educate patients on their medications.
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Scrub nurse example responsibilities.

• Organize and manage regular clinics involving external physicians, including ophthalmology, ENT, Med/Surg, orthopedics, and podiatry professionals.
• Assist scrub nurse in the setup, arrangement and count of surgical equipment and sponges.
• Maintain and accurately document proper counting of instruments, sponges and needles as per policy.
• Include teaching at community outreach seminars and optometry seminars for patients and physicians
• Provide teaching to patients and families regarding health care preparation in ambulatory/outpatient care.
• Perform and participate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
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