How do they match: Surgical Assistants

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.

Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.
Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
Assist in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques.
Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.
Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.

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Site updated November 19, 2024

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