
Surgical First Assist - Tucson Surgery Center - PRN
Northwest Healthcare Tucson · United States
- Hybrid
- Part-time
- $75,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Support surgeons during surgical procedures.
- Maintain sterile field and provide instruments.
- Assist with tissue handling and bleeding control.
- Perform wound closure and apply dressings.
- Ensure sterility and safety standards.
About the role
Surgical First Assist - Tucson Surgery Center - PRN
Clinical Address
2121 N Craycroft Rd | Building #8 | Tucson, AZ 85712
As a Surgical First Assist at Tucson Surgery Center, you’ll join a team and be a part of a culture that's dedicated to providing top quality care to our patients. Our full-time employees enjoy a robust benefits package which may include health insurance, 401(k), licensure/certification reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and student loan assistance for eligible roles.
Job Summary
The Surgical Technician First Assist provides direct support to surgeons during surgical procedures, ensuring efficient operative and invasive procedures by maintaining the sterile field, providing necessary instruments and supplies, and assisting in critical surgical tasks. This role requires advanced technical skills to support the surgical team, including positioning patients, retracting tissues, controlling bleeding, suturing, and applying dressings. The Surgical Technician First Assist collaborates with surgeons, nurses, and other surgical team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes and post-operative care.
Essential Functions
- Functions as a scrub person during surgical procedures, preparing and organizing sterile supplies and instruments, maintaining an organized sterile field, and providing necessary instruments and supplies to the surgical team.
- Performs first assistant duties, including providing exposure through instrument handling, retractors, suctioning, and sponging techniques as directed by the surgeon.
- Handles and dissects tissues, clamps blood vessels, coagulates bleeding points, and places drains as instructed by the surgeon.
- Assists with wound closure, including suturing subcutaneous layers and skin, applying staples, and dressing surgical sites per surgeon instructions.
- Ensures sterility and safety standards, conducting proper counting procedures with the RN circulator, following infection control protocols, and taking corrective actions if needed.
- Prepares and transports surgical instruments for decontamination, ensuring proper handling and sterilization for future use.
- Assists in post-procedure room turnover, ensuring procedural areas are properly cleaned and prepared for subsequent surgeries.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
- Complies with all policies and standards.
Qualifications
- 1-3 years of experience as a Surgical Technician or First Assist in an acute care setting required
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Proficiency in surgical techniques, aseptic principles, and sterile field maintenance.
- Strong knowledge of surgical anatomy, instrumentation, and procedural workflows.
- Ability to anticipate surgeon needs and respond quickly to intraoperative changes.
- Strong attention to detail in surgical counting procedures, patient positioning, and procedural safety.
- Effective communication and teamwork skills, ensuring smooth collaboration with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia providers.
- Knowledge of infection control standards, regulatory compliance, and patient safety guidelines.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure surgical environment, demonstrating composure and professionalism.
Licenses and Certifications
- CST - Certified Surgical Technologist required
- Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) through NBSTSA required or Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) through NSAA required
- BCLS - Basic Life Support required
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support preferred
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for an employer.
Key skills/competency
- Surgical First Assist
- Surgical Technician
- Sterile Field Maintenance
- Aseptic Principles
- Surgical Anatomy
- Instrumentation
- Patient Positioning
- Wound Closure
- Infection Control
- Teamwork
Skills & topics
- Surgical First Assist
- Surgical Technician
- Scrub Nurse
- Operating Room
- Aseptic Technique
- Surgical Procedures
- Patient Care
- Healthcare
- Tucson Jobs
- PRN
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 1-3 years of surgical assisting experience and specific certifications (CST, CSFA/CSA, BCLS).
- Showcase your skills: Emphasize proficiency in aseptic techniques, anatomy knowledge, and ability to anticipate surgeon needs.
- Address requirements: Ensure your resume clearly states your authorization to work in the U.S.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience in fast-paced surgical environments and teamwork.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the required certifications for a Surgical First Assist at Tucson Surgery Center?
- To be considered for the Surgical First Assist position at Tucson Surgery Center, you must possess a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification and either a Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) or Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) certification. Additionally, Basic Life Support (BCLS) certification is required, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is preferred.
- What is the experience requirement for the Surgical First Assist role at Northwest Healthcare Tucson?
- The role requires a minimum of 1 to 3 years of experience as a Surgical Technician or Surgical First Assist in an acute care setting. This experience is crucial for demonstrating proficiency in surgical techniques and the ability to support surgeons effectively.
- Can I apply for the Surgical First Assist job if I require immigration sponsorship?
- Unfortunately, this position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for an employer.
- What are the key responsibilities of a Surgical First Assist at Tucson Surgery Center?
- Key responsibilities include functioning as a scrub person, providing direct first assistant duties such as exposure and dissection, controlling bleeding, assisting with wound closure, ensuring sterility and safety, and preparing instruments for decontamination. You will also assist with post-procedure room turnover.
- What kind of work environment can I expect as a Surgical First Assist?
- You can expect a fast-paced, high-pressure surgical environment. The role requires composure, professionalism, and effective collaboration with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia providers to ensure optimal patient outcomes.