Required Education and Experience: Graduate of an accredited School of Registered Nursing. Active Florida RN license or NBSTSA recognized Surgical Assistant (CSFA) certification. Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in perioperative field. BLS and ACLS certification.

Preferred Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Essential Functions
General Surgical Assistant Skills: Demonstrate 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, and equipment. Facilitates a cooperative team atmosphere through professional communication. Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced knowledge of normal and pathological surgical anatomy and physiology. Describes the assessment and management of acute trauma. Responds appropriately to emergency conditions.

Demonstrates the ability to 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. Verifies patient identification, allergies, NPO status, procedure, surgical site, consent, history and physical on chart. Inspects skin integrity for signs of infection, compromised perfusion or other signs of potential risk. Ensures x-rays and applicable diagnostic exams are available for surgeon.

Ensures placement of monitoring devices does not interfere with access or prep. Ensures position of the patient provides the necessary exposure for the procedure, as well as the surgeon preference. Demonstrates competency in all positioning techniques for the surgeries they are participating in. These competencies include, but are not limited to; Prevention of nerve damage. Proper rotation of extremities. Prevention of circulatory or respiratory compromise. Prevention of patient sliding on bed due to tilting or Trendelenburg. Proper handling and placement of lines. The

RNFA should be capable of working independently, or codependently with the surgeon, to finalize the surgery, according to the surgeon preference. These actions shall include, but are not limited to; Participates in quality improvement process that include standardized approaches, checklist interventions such as the Michigan Keystone Surgery Project regarding surgical site infection to improve patient care and Time Out procedures to improve patient safety. 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. a. Using running, or interrupted suture techniques b. Including absorbable and non-absorbable sutures, staples, adhesives, strips, etc.