At Central Maine Healthcare our team members are committed to providing exceptional care and experiences for our community and for each other every day.

Position Summary: 

The Certified First Assistant practices in collaboration with and at the direction of the surgeon and directly assists the surgeon by controlling bleeding and by providing wound exposure, suturing, and other surgical tasks during the surgical procedure. The surgical first assistant may be asked to provide other advanced assistance such as mobilization of tissue, patient positioning, and directing other team members with specific individual patient needs.

Essential Duties:

• Demonstrates optimal aseptic technique on a continual basis throughout the surgical procedure by adhering to the policy and procedural guidelines recommended by AORN standards.
• Follows all universal precaution guidelines.
• Maintains knowledge and skills current as to procedures, instrumentation, equipment, and surgeon preferences.
• Assists with the transportation and/or positioning, prepping and draping of the surgical patient, under the guidance of the RN circulator, surgeon, and/or anesthesia personnel following proper body mechanics.
• The Surgical Assistant is competent to provide technical first assistance to the primary surgeon in the operating room and throughout the operative period.
• Meets requirements for mandatory certifications.
• Provides exposure of operative site to promote a safe and effective surgical procedure.
• According to individual state regulation and facility policy, dissects tissue as delegated and supervised by the primary surgeon.
• Assists with and/or performs wound closure.
• Strictly adheres to principles of aseptic technique to prevent infection and promote optimal wound healing.
• Demonstrates knowledge of risk management, professional liability, and malpractice issues.
• Practices in an ethical manner.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care error.
• Performs proper sterile technique for gowning and gloving per CMMC Policy and AORN guidelines.
• Uses the principles of sterile technique per CMMC policy and AORN guidelines.
• Performs proper scrubbing techniques per CMMC policy & AORN guidelines.
• Ensures patient privacy.
• Customer Service: Interacts with all individuals in a consistent manner, providing attention, support, and assistance to foster an environment of exceptional personal service.
  • Maintains a pleasant and helpful demeanor, and presents a professional appearance toward all internal and external customers at all times.
  • Consistently initiates interaction to provide assistance to individuals who may not be direct customers of the employee (i.e. asks patients who appear to be lost if they need assistance in finding their way).
  • Takes appropriate action to recover from a service difficulty, ensuring that the necessary action is taken to affect a resolution to the customer’s problem.
  • Conducts all work activities with respect for coworkers, including the maintenance of a pleasant and professional environment, fostering calmness during stressful situations.
  • Interacts with supervisory personnel in a professional, supportive and courteous manner, venting emotions appropriate to time and place.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to service by consistent attendance and punctuality, scheduling absences according to departmental requirements, and incurring unplanned absences only when unavoidable circumstances exist.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited surgical first assist program.
• Certified as a Surgical First Assist.
• Current Registered Nurse License, in the state of Maine, BSN preferred.
• Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS required. Current ACLS certification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Able to effectively communicate in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Ability to engage patients and team members utilizing the CMH Experience Standards

  I am creating a warming, caring, and non-judgmental environment

  I am actively listening and seeking information

  I am honest, truthful, and consistent

  I am respectful, treating all individuals with dignity and empathy

  I am serving as a role model, taking both initiative and ownership when appropriate

  I am working collaboratively and demonstrating teamwork

  I am resilient and adapt to change in positive ways.

• Demonstrated ability to direct and triage in a highly fluid dynamic operational environment.
• Ability to collaborate with all layers of the management/ administration team. 

If you are passionate about making a difference and are looking for your next great career opportunity, we look forward to reviewing your application!