How to Be Surgical Assistant - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 5, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The demand for surgical assistants has risen significantly in recent years. This has been caused by a number of factors, including an ageing population, a greater focus on patient safety, and the need for healthcare systems to reduce costs and become more efficient. As a result, surgical assistants are playing an increasingly important role in the operating room.

They are responsible for preparing patients for surgery, maintaining a sterile environment, providing assistance to surgeons during operations, and assisting with recovery after surgery. This increased demand has led to more job opportunities and higher salaries in the field of surgical assistant work.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED, to become a surgical assistant.
Complete a surgical assistant program. Most employers require a certificate or degree in surgical technology, surgical assisting, or a related field.
Pass the certification exam. After completing the program, you must pass the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Obtain relevant experience. Many surgical assistant positions require one to three years of experience in the field, so it is important to gain experience before applying for positions.
Participate in continuing education. In some states, surgical assistants must complete a certain number of continuing education credits each year in order to maintain their certification.
Apply for available positions. Once you have all the necessary qualifications, you can start applying for open positions.

Being a surgical assistant requires staying ahead and capable in order to ensure the best possible outcome for patients. To do this, it is important to stay up to date on the latest surgical techniques and medical advancements, as well as staying in contact with other medical professionals to discuss any changes. It is also important to practice excellent communication skills with both patients and medical staff, as well as maintaining a high level of accuracy and care when completing tasks.

Finally, staying organized and having a good understanding of the entire surgical process can help to ensure that all procedures run smoothly. By taking these steps, surgical assistants can be sure to stay ahead and capable in their field.

You may want to check Surgical Physician Assistant, Surgical Resident, and Surgical Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Assist surgeons in the operating room by setting up surgical instruments, providing instruments and supplies to surgeons during procedures, and passing items to surgeons and other medical personnel.
Prepare operating rooms for surgery, including cleaning and stocking supplies.
Prepare patients for surgery, including providing pre-operative instructions.
Monitor vital signs of patients during surgical procedures.
Maintain a sterile environment in the operating room at all times.
Document patient care and medical histories in patient records.
Perform routine laboratory tests as required.
Assist with post-operation care, including wound dressing changes and administering medication.
Monitor inventory of medical supplies and order new materials when necessary.
Provide patient education regarding post-operative care and recovery.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology
Ability to operate and monitor surgical instruments
Ability to anticipate the needs of the surgeon
Knowledge of sterilization techniques
Ability to maintain a sterile field
Ability to maintain accurate patient records
Proficiency in basic life support techniques
Knowledge of medical terminology
Ability to maintain a professional attitude
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Good surgical assistants must have many different skills in order to perform their job effectively. The most important skill for a surgical assistant is the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure. This includes being able to think quickly and make decisions in a timely manner.

Being detail-oriented is also essential, as the surgical assistant must pay close attention to the doctor's instructions and ensure the patient's safety. strong interpersonal skills are important, as surgical assistants must be able to communicate effectively with the doctor, nurses, and other members of the medical team. Finally, a good working knowledge of instruments and equipment used in the operating room is essential to ensure everything is working properly.

With these skills in place, a surgical assistant can ensure that patients receive timely and quality care.

Surgical Coordinator, Surgical Center Administrator, and Surgical Robotics Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the field of surgical assistance?
What do you know about the role of a surgical assistant?
How do you handle stressful situations in the operating room?
How would you handle a conflict between yourself and another member of the surgical team?
What techniques do you use to stay organized during a surgical procedure?
How do you maintain patient confidentiality?
How do you ensure that all necessary materials and equipment are present for a particular surgery?
How do you prioritize tasks when there are multiple tasks to complete?
Describe a situation where you had to go above and beyond the call of duty as a surgical assistant.
What challenges have you faced in your previous roles as a surgical assistant and how did you overcome them?

Common Tools in Industry

Surgical Scissors. Used to cut tissue and sutures during surgery (e. g. Mayo scissors).
Retractors. Used to hold back tissue and organs during surgery (e. g. Balfour retractor).
Forceps. Used to grasp, hold, or manipulate tissues during surgery (e. g. Allis forceps).
Surgical Clippers. Used to cut hair from the patient's body prior to surgery (e. g. Wahl clippers).
Scalpels. Used to make incisions during surgery (e. g. Bard-Parker scalpel).
Suction Devices. Used to remove fluids from the surgical site (e. g. Pennington suction device).
Needles and Syringes. Used to inject or withdraw fluids from a patient's body (e. g. joint injection needles).
Dissecting Instruments. Used to separate, dissect, or excise tissue during surgery (e. g. Metzenbaum scissors).
Hemostats. Used to control bleeding during surgery (e. g. Kelly hemostat).
Sterilization Equipment. Used to clean and sterilize surgical instruments (e. g. autoclave).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants (AASPA)
American College of Surgeons (ACS)
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
National Surgical Assistants Association (NSAA)
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS)
World Federation of Surgical Societies (WFSS)

We also have Surgical Technologist Supervisor, Surgical ICU Nurse, and Surgical Services Director jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Operating Room (OR). A specialized medical facility within a hospital that is dedicated to performing surgical procedures.
Scrub Nurse. A registered nurse who assists surgeons in the operating room.
Anesthesia. The use of drugs to cause unconsciousness and relieve pain during a surgical procedure.
Post-operative Care. The care given to a patient after a surgery, including monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and providing emotional support.
Surgical Instruments. Specialized tools used by surgeons during procedures to cut, clamp, and suture tissue.
Surgical Counting. The practice of counting surgical instruments and sponges before, during, and after a procedure to make sure all items are accounted for and not left inside the patient.
Sterilization. The process of removing microorganisms from medical equipment and supplies used in the operating room.
Preoperative Evaluation. The evaluation of a patients health before a surgery, to ensure that they are medically suitable for the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Surgical Assistant?

A Surgical Assistant is a health care professional who works alongside surgeons during surgical procedures, providing assistance with patient positioning, wound closure and other duties.

What qualifications are required to become a Surgical Assistant?

To become a Surgical Assistant, one must be a certified medical assistant with prior experience in the operating room, as well as possess specialized training in surgical techniques and patient care.

What are the responsibilities of a Surgical Assistant?

A Surgical Assistant is responsible for providing assistance to surgeons during surgery, which includes patient preparation, instrument set-up, providing assistance during procedures and closing surgical wounds.