Surgical Assistant

Department
 

BSD OBG - Gyn Onc

About the Department
 

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has 114 clinical providers, providing care at the main hospital in Hyde Park and seven off site locations. We have more than 60,000 outpatient visits, 25,000 ultrasound visits, 2,800 deliveries, and 3,000 gynecological surgeries per year. Teaching, research and the highest quality clinical care are top priorities for the Department. The residency and fellowship programs are highly ranked and have a history of training leaders in healthcare. The Department also has a significant research enterprise, engaging in population health studies, as well as research conducted in wet laboratories on tumor biology, fibroid research, and hypertensive diseases in pregnancy.

Job Summary
 

The Surgical Assistant is a trained licensed professional who provides aid in technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. The Surgical Assistant also performs pre-operative and post-operative duties to better facilitate proper patient care. These functions are performed during the operation under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and in accordance with hospital policy and appropriate laws and regulations. Collaborates as part of the OR team to ensure efficient and timely room set up and turnover.
This position develops and implements programs in order to organize patient care activities and share information among all of the participants concerned with patient's care to achieve safer and more effective care. Evaluates medical requirements and administers or orders diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests. Performs basic surgical procedures and/or provides physicians with high-level assistance during complicated medical procedures.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate the surgeon’s preferences and specific patient’s needs to surgical team including but not limited to suture needs, specialty supplies and instrumentation, patient records and equipment.
• Verifies all implants, supplies and special procedure equipment is available and functional, i.e. microscope, tourniquet, etc..
• Facilitates a cooperative team atmosphere through professional communication.
• Listens actively to surgeon, patient and team to ensure safe patient-centered care.
• Maintains awareness of patient monitoring and responds appropriately to potential complications.
• Monitors the actions immediately surrounding the sterile field ensuring that the integrity is maintained and/or corrected appropriately.
• Evaluates potential causes of surgical site infections, communicating concerns and possible corrective actions to prevent and/or treat potential contamination.
• Verifies patient identification, allergies, NPO status, procedure, surgical site, consent, history and physical on chart.
• Demonstrates ability to perform a surgical skin prep selecting the correct prep for the situation and preparing the appropriate surgical prep site necessary.
• Coordinates the draping procedure effectively correcting any breaks in aseptic technique.
• Secures lines and cords in a manner that prevents loss of integrity.
• Evaluates and incorporates products to ensure effective barriers are established and maintained that prevent contamination during the entire procedure.
• Utilizes the operating room (OR) equipment pertinent to the surgical procedure. All actions shall facilitate the progress of the surgery, as well as anticipate the preference(s) of the surgeon, and any further applicable instrumentation or actions deemed necessary by the surgeon.
• Proficient in all pertinent abilities required during a procedure.
• Participates in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques as necessary and appropriate.
• Capable of working independently, or codependently with the surgeon, to finalize the surgery, according to the surgeon preference.
• Initiates appropriate actions or instrumentation in collaboration with the surgeon.
• Utilizes appropriate suturing techniques, according to surgeon preference, with closure of body planes; and utilizing proper manipulation of suture.
• Uses running, or interrupted suture techniques, including absorbable and non-absorbable sutures, staples, adhesives, strips, etc.
• Interprets patient health problems and needs, develops and implements patient care plans, and maintains medical records.
• Has a solid understanding of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
• Guides in the identification of individual patients for surgery. Implements the appropriate preparation of the patient for surgery and assists in expediting surgery in the OR. Monitors the clinical progress of surgery patients on a routine basis during their hospitalization.
• Provides healthcare and patient services including educational, research, and clinical nursing specialist support. Gathers pertinent health information and provides comprehensive direct patient care with moderate guidance and direction from others.
• Participates in the identification of individual patients for surgery. Provides the appropriate preparation of the patient for surgery and assists in expediting surgery in the OR. Monitors the clinical progress of surgery patients on a routine basis during their hospitalization.
• Performs necessary record-keeping, analysis, and reporting of clinical outcomes. Assists the care team with patient counseling in adapting to, and coping with, their changing health status. Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• College or university degree from a surgical technology program accredited through ARC/STSA, or an accredited surgical first assist training program (NBSTSA-National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting).

Experience:

• Previous orthopedic experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Certification from an accredited First Surgical Assistant Program.
• Registered by the State of Illinois.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of basic nursing principles and protocols.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• ​Broad based knowledge of advanced concepts in operating room practices and of the operating room.
• Administer local anesthetic, according to surgeon preference.
• Secure drainage systems.
• Apply dressings, splints, casts and immobilizers/stabilizers, according to surgeon preference.
• Provide postoperative skills in patient care such as dressing application, patient transfer and transport, transfer of care, and monitoring for immediate complications.
• Demonstrates safe stabilized placement on the appropriate bed/table, with the appropriate operation, set up, safety measures, and utilization of all necessary equipment, stabilizers, padding, wrapping and/or attachments.
• Competency in all positioning techniques for surgeries.
• Provide preoperative skills such as assessing patient information, history, preoperative tests (i.e. EKG, EEG, EMG, lab values, diagnostic imaging), safety measures, biopsy results, positioning and draping.
• Provide intraoperative skills such as visualization, trocar insertion (i.e. ASA Trocar Guidelines), injection of local anesthetics (i.e. ASA Local Anesthesic Guidelines), hemostasis, tissue handling, placement and securing of wound drains, and closure of body planes.
• Knowledge of and use of any and all laparoscopic and robotic equipment necessary for a procedure, such as: Camera, light cord, inserting/removing trocars, graspers, scoops, sprayers, suction/irrigation systems, clamps, tenaculums, etc.
• Knowledge of and use of any open procedure equipment necessary for procedures, including, tissue forceps, retractors, clamps, scissors, sponges, suction, irrigation, use of hemostatic agents, etc.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Effectively communicate and interact with patients, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Collaborates with others to provide continuity of care.

Working Conditions

• Clinical setting/operation room.
• Move or assist with moving operating room equipment and transferring patients.
• Work evenings and weekends as scheduled.
• Travel between clinics and area hospitals as needed.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Healthcare & Medical Services

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

Yes

Health Screen Required
 

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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