Vascular Certified First Assist

• Assists in resuscitation of patient during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events in the operating room.

• Sets up procedure/operating room with correct instrumentation and supplies, and cleans instruments, equipment, and room post-procedure.

• Identifies unsafe or defective instruments/equipment and implements corrective action.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Confirms procedures and determines specific equipment needed for surgical procedures.

• Reviews case load, preference cards, and prepares for pending surgical procedures.

• Assists in moving, positioning, prepping, and draping the patient according to surgeon's guidelines.

• Provides retraction of tissues and organs for optimal visualization during surgery.

• Assists in maintaining hemostasis using appropriate surgical instruments and techniques.

• Manages placement and securing of retractors, clamps, suture materials, and drainage tubes.

• Utilizes unipolar and bipolar electrocautery and participates in volume replacement or auto-transfusion techniques.

• Performs harvesting of the saphenous vein for grafting purposes, either as an open-procedure or endoscopically.

• Closes wound layers and applies wound dressings as per surgeon’s directive.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Individuals must possess these knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and to demonstrate that s/he can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. [Required]

• Knowledge of Anatomy with a particular focus on cardiac, thoracic, abdominal and peripheral vascular systems. [Required]

• Assist the surgeon in the Surgical Procedures both open and endovascular approaches [Required]

• Prepares and maintains surgical area [Required]

• Performs intraoperative technical responsibilities for optimal patient care [Required]

• Serves as a resource person [Required]

Education:

• High School Grad or Equiv [Required]

Field of Study:

• Completion of Certified Surgical Assisting Program

Work Experience:

• 1+ experience as a surgical technologist [Preferred]

• 1+ experience in a cardiovascular operating room [Preferred]

• 3+ experience as a CFA [Required]

• 5+ experience as a CFA [Preferred]

Licenses and Certifications:

• Basic Life Support – CPR Cert (BLS) [Required]

• Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) [Required] OR State Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) [Required]

• Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) [Required]