Surgical Assistant

Description

JOB SUMMARY
Serves as a liaison between Pre/Post-Op and OR, ensures that the OR schedule runs smoothly for the day, as well as assisting the surgeon throughout the surgical process.

RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to:    Director of Clinical Services
Supervises:    None

QUALIFICATIONS
Training/experience in surgical patient care required
Demonstrated understanding of sterilization principles required
CPR certification required
Understanding of sterile environments preferred
JCAHPO Certification preferred 

MENTAL DEMANDS
Require language skills for communication in American English. Require constant and frequent judgment, and the ability to make decisions and solve problems.  Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization. Strong mathematical ability. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to define problems, collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. 
 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
Category II exposure to blood borne pathogens; frequent exposure to chemical hazards; may encounter radiation hazards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTIVES
1.    Supports the philosophy, goals, and objectives of OESC.
1.1.    Supports, and performs according to, approved policies and procedures.
1.2.    Supports risk management and participate as a team member in support of the total perioperative process.
1.3.    Considers patient rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.
1.4.    Contributes to the quality management process; identifies role and contributions upon request.
1.5.    Participates as a functional team member in preparing the patient and patient information prior to admission and surgery; assisting surgeon throughout surgical process. 

2.    Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.
2.1.    Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards, and noncompliance according to OESC policy.
2.2.    Observes safety measures in performance of job duties and responsibilities.

3.    Communicates effectively with patients, visitors, physicians, and co workers.
3.1.    Interactions are respectful and courteous.
3.2.    Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances, and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care or seeks further guidance, as needed.
3.3.    Communicates effectively and professionally keeping in mind the patient’s age, mental abilities and education, using a translator when necessary.  Courtesy shown to the patient is extended to the translator as well.
3.4.    Documents that information received from the patient is disseminated to the appropriate people or departments including noting pertinent information on surgical schedule (e.g. Betadine / latex allergies, topical or block anesthesia, monocular, claustrophobic, name alerts).
3.7.    Communicates with patient and families or caregivers, on day of surgery, any delays or scheduling changes to decrease anxiety and increase cooperation.

4.    Maintains and promotes professional competence through continuing education and other learning experiences.
4.1.    Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities.
4.2.      Objectively evaluates suggestions and constructive criticism presented by administration, team leader or team member and attempts to improve performance or seeks further guidance as needed.  Uses “team protocol” when approaching another team member to offer suggestions, constructive criticism or resolve conflicts.  Involves Clinical Director as needed.
4.3.      Responds positively when approached by another team member using “team protocol” to offer suggestions, constructive criticism or resolve conflicts.  Involves Clinical Director as needed.
4.4.       Assists with orientation of new personnel and acts as a resource person regarding surgical assisting responsibilities.
4.5.       Places the best interest of the physician, team, and team responsibilities ahead of self-interests.  

5.    Responds in a timely manner to meet the needs of the patient, and the physician, and co-workers.
5.1.    Prepares and distributes surgeons’ surgical schedule to the reception personnel and pre/post area in a timely manner; completes updates and indicates revised schedule with new date and time per OESC policy.
5.2.    Prepares patient medical records with appropriate forms for scheduled procedures; documents according to OESC policy.  Submits medical records to reception personnel as they are completed individually (rather than the entire surgical day of records at one time) to allow time for final processing.  All medical records should be submitted to reception personnel two days prior to surgery, the day before should only be routinely used for last minute additions.
5.3.    Documents physician’s orders and special instructions clearly and concisely in medical record to accurately convey patient’s plan of care to medical staff.
5.4.    Communicates information about the patient's status to the nursing staff responsible for patient care.  (e.g. monocular, claustrophobic, transfer via stretcher or wheel chair).
5.5.    Performs assigned activities to provide safe and individualized care.
5.6.    Recognizes patient's need for support and provides for privacy and confidentiality..
5.7.   Seeks guidance of anesthesia team for patient evaluation as needed in accordance 
       with OESC policy.
5.9.    Confirms through interview the patient’s subjective medical history and orders any
   Laboratory work or medical clearance necessary prior to admission, in accordance    
   with OESC policy.
       5.10    Confirms patients scheduled prior to surgery; reviews pre-operative instructions; initiates    rescheduling of patients as appropriate per OESC policy.

6.    Performs bio metric axial length exams on patient’s eyes. 
    6.1.     Documents and presents the historical data and results of sonographic eye exam, keratometry and pachometry to the surgeon to aid in determining the diagnostic and therapeutic measurements necessary to correct the patient’s vision problem. Seeks guidance when indicated by unusual measurements or scan results.
    6.2.    Documents as required in the office and ASC chart; medical history, allergies and medications verified with each patient visit and updated as needed. 

7.    Assists with patient preparation at time of surgery.   
    7.1   Print 3 OR schedules for the day (one for each office to go with HPO charts and one for                 op notes after final surgeon review and approval.
    7.2  Assists the surgeon in performance of the corneal marking prior to Toric IOL's and therapeutic blocks prior to surgery, removing pledget as needed.  Assures block time-out is observed.
      7.3    Facilitates communication between patient care team and surgeon; facilitates                 communication between pre-op team, OR team and post-op team, any changes in             schedule, particularly any changes in patient order and directs surgeon to his/her             next task (marking Torics, greeting and / or discharging patients).  
      7.4    Pull lenses for the day and divide office charts up according to OR rooms (with lenses)
      7.5    Communicates to preop staff, physician and laser operator regarding appropriate time             for patients to be taken for FEMTO laser.
   
   
    7.6  Assist nursing staff with any questions regarding the OR patients regarding drops, post-operative appointments, etc.
    7.8  Facilitate changing patient arrival times if surgeon is behind for both main OR and              Minor patients and informing surgeon of such changes.
    7.9  Communicate between surgeon, clinical coordinator and team leaders when physician is                 trialing new lenses and /or equipment and document which patients are receiving them. 

8.    Accompanies the surgeon to the OR.  
    8.1   Assures surgeon has completed all required medical record documentation.
    8.2   Observes OR dress protocol; uses appropriate PPE as needed.
    8.3   Operates intraoperative abberometer.

9.    After physician has completed surgery
      9.1   Review office charts and OR schedule with physician  for the upcoming weeks (2 weeks         in advance)
9.2   Facilitate that OE charts get to the correct office for HPO appointments, taking them if      necessary to office or a POD member for that physician.

10.    Supports OESC staff in patient care process as needed.
    10.1.    Acts as liaison to surgeon for pre-post nursing staff when surgeon is in the OR.

11. Prepares treatment rooms and patient for examinations in minor surgery area.
    11.1.    Assists physician as needed during exams. 

12. Other duties may be assigned by the supervisory
 

Qualifications