GENERAL SUMMARY
The Surgical First Assist (SFA) is a highly skilled, clinically proficient professional who works directly under the supervision of the attending surgeon to provide advanced intraoperative support. This role extends beyond traditional assisting — it requires a forward-thinking mindset focused on innovation, efficiency, and collaboration across the surgical continuum. The SFA serves as a key resource in developing and implementing process improvements, integrating new technologies, and advancing surgical outcomes. Clinical skills performed under direct supervision of the surgeon include but are not limited to: incision, dissection, clamping, cutting, tying, providing hemostasis, insertion of laparoscopic ports, and closure of body planes & skin.
The SFA collaborates closely with all surgical team members to facilitate through-put and optimize safe patient care. They may function in the scrub role for a variety of surgical procedures as needed.
III. DESCRIPTION A. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Excellence & Intraoperative Support
- Performs all functions of a Surgical First Assist including exposure, hemostasis, suturing, tissue handling, and wound closure under the surgeon’s direction.
- Anticipates surgeon needs throughout each procedure, ensuring instruments, supplies, and devices are ready for immediate use.
- Maintains sterile technique and ensures patient safety and positioning integrity at all times.
- Proactively identifies opportunities to improve case efficiency and instrument utilization.
Innovation & Process Improvement
- Collaborates with surgical leadership and vendors to trial new technologies, instruments, and minimally invasive techniques.
- Participates in multidisciplinary performance improvement initiatives, including reduction of turnover times, standardization of instrument trays, and cost-efficiency efforts.
- Contributes to digital documentation workflows, assisting in implementing systems that optimize case tracking, inventory, and data analytics.
- Provides feedback on new devices or methods that enhance precision and patient outcomes.
Education, Mentorship & Leadership
- Serves as a clinical mentor to surgical technologists, residents, and nursing staff.
- Participates in orientation and education of new team members and cross-trained staff.
- Engages in continuing education to stay current on advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative best practices.
- Promotes a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and patient-centered innovation
Collaboration & Teamwork
- Partners with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and perioperative staff to coordinate and execute high-quality surgical care.
- Assists in the preparation for surgical cases, assuring that supplies, equipment and instruments are available and in working order prior to the start of each case.
- Assists the surgical team in the transport, transfer and positioning of patients in the operating room.
- Participates in pre-op briefings and post-op debriefings to evaluate case flow and identify improvement opportunities.
- Assists in maintaining supply and equipment inventory.
- Communicates proactively and professionally across the care team to ensure seamless patient experiences.
- On-call duties as scheduled.
- Other duties as assigned.
B. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Qualifications
- Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA), Certified First Assistant (CFA), or Physician Assistant (PA-C) / RNFA credential required.
- Minimum 3–5 years of surgical experience; advanced proficiency in multiple specialties preferred (e.g., Orthopedic, Neurosurgery, General, or Robotics).
- Strong understanding of sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, and anatomy.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate technology and process improvement into practice.
- Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication skills.
Preferred Attributes
- Passionate about surgical innovation, data-driven improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Actively participates in surgical committees, vendor evaluations, or technology trials.
- Forward-thinking, self-directed, and capable of balancing clinical precision with creativity.
- Experienced in EMR documentation, efficiency dashboards, or digital workflow initiatives
Performance Metrics
- Case efficiency and surgeon satisfaction scores.
- Reduction in intraoperative delays and supply waste.
- Participation in innovation or quality improvement projects.
- Contribution to staff development and cross-training success rates.
IV. Ensures that care is provided for all patients utilizing the attributes of:
- Trustworthy collaboration
- Perfect skill in fostering safety and comfort
- Creation of a restorative environment
- Power derived from service
- Participatory – authoritative management
V. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA), Certified First Assistant (CFA), or Physician Assistant (PA-C) / RNFA credential required.
- Minimum 3–5 years of surgical experience; advanced proficiency in multiple specialties preferred (e.g., Orthopedic, Neurosurgery, General, or Robotics).
Benefits:
- Paid Sick Time - effective 90 days after employment
- Paid Vacation Time - effective 90 days after employment
- Health, vision & dental benefits - eligible at 30 days, following the 1st of the following month
- Short and long-term disability and basic life insurance - after 30 days of employment
Insight Employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to accommodation for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Insight is an equal opportunity employer and values workplace diversity!
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Disclaimer:
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of functions, tasks, duties, responsibilities and requirements of employees so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Insight Hospital and Medical Center.
