Job Description

With over 150 years of caring for our community and each other in the Washington DC area, Howard University Hospital has a world-renowned reputation for high-quality, patient-centric care and is the nation’s only teaching hospital located on the campus of a Historically Black University.  Howard University Hospital seeks to hire a Surgical Assistant in our Perioperative Care Department who will embrace our rich and historic tradition of excellence. If you want to make a difference in someone’s life every day, consider a position with a team of professionals who are doing just that, making a difference. 

Salary: $67,482 - $107,971

The Surgical Assistant assists the surgeon as first or second assistant in the Operating Room. Assists surgeons in open heart and thoracic surgery, vascular surgery. Assist other surgeons in other types of procedures as requested. 

The Surgical Assistant:

• Positions patient to give best exposure for surgical procedure, using stabilizing equipment when necessary.
• Provides aid in exposure, homeostasis, closure and other intra-operative functions to help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results.
• Responsible for harvesting grafts during open heart surgery. May perform preoperative and postoperative duties to better facilitate patient care.
• Assists with body plane closure, application of wound dressings and securing of drainage systems.
• Provides visualization of the operative site using appropriate methods, including manipulation of tissue and materials, retraction, sponging, suctioning and irrigation. Utilizes appropriate techniques to achieve temporary and permanent hemostasis.
• Participates as a surgical team member in the preparation of the surgical suite according to surgeon's preference cards with appropriate instruments, resources and supplies.
• Assist in room clean up and the removal of the soiled case cart, supplies, and trash from OR room as needed at the completion of the surgical case.
• Orients and educates staff regarding assisting in the surgical field. Participates in marketing activities as requested.
• Supervises those staff in the sterile field as necessary.

Competencies Required:

• Demonstrates quality and effectiveness in work habits and clinical practice in every interaction with patients, colleagues, providers, and leadership
• Knowledge of and complies with operative safety measures. Ensures patient safety in the preparation and provisioning of care related to but not limited to medications, medication administration, procedures, infection prevention, fall prevention, including consistent use of two patient identifiers and procedural time outs.
• Capable of assisting surgeons as requested in any surgical procedure.
• Proficient in endovascular vein harvesting.
• Ability to use independent judgment
• Ability to work as an individual and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle a high stress environment in a calm manner
• An ability to communicate effectively with staff, students and others within the operating room to create a safe environment.
• Attention to detail

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited school of Surgical Assistants.
• Two (2) years’ recent experience as a Surgical Assistant
• Licensed in the District of Columbia as a Surgical Assistant. BLS and/or ACLS Certification.

At Howard University Hospital our job is to care for you. We do this by offering:

• Work life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans offered (including health, disability, vacation and sick leave and 403B retirement plan)

COVID-19 Vaccination:

Howard University Hospital requires all external applicants to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before commencing employment.  External Applicants may be required to furnish proof of vaccination and, if offered, may elect to be vaccinated at a designated Howard University Hospital location. 

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