Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life.
Last updated: July 27, 2020
Compare The Best MCAT Prep Courses
.jpg)
Surgical Assistants
assist surgeons during surgery by performing duties such as tissue retraction, insertion of tubes and intravenous lines, or closure of surgical wounds. Perform preoperative and postoperative duties to facilitate patient care.
Table of Contents
Job Description
Surgical Assistants assist surgeons during surgery by performing duties such as tissue retraction, insertion of tubes and intravenous lines, or closure of surgical wounds. Perform preoperative and postoperative duties to facilitate patient care. They also verify the identity of patient or operative site.
Other tasks include:
- Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
- Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
- Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
- Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
- Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
- Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
We asked Surgical Assistants how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.
74%
82%
74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.
Featured Surgical Tech Schools
Typical Day At Work
On a daily basis, Surgical Assistants prepare and apply sterile wound dressings. They monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
- Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
- Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
- Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
- Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
- Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
We asked some Surgical Assistants a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.
| Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? | 42% said yes | |
| How important is it to work in a team in this job? | 81% said very important | |
| Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? | 72% said yes | |
| Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? | 51% said yes | |
| Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? | 10% said yes | |
| Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? | 41% said yes |
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Surgical Assistants also insert or remove urinary bladder catheters. They may also assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Surgical Assistants Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices. They might also Postoperatively inject a subcutaneous local anesthetic agent to reduce pain.
In addition, they Operate sterilizing devices.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them Transport patients to operating room.
To some Surgical Assistants, it is also their responsibility to Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
Working life
Standard 40 hour work week
Regular schedule like a 9 to 5
In a typical work week as a Surgical Assistant, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.
Is this right for me
The Organizers and The Helpers
People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..
They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
diagnose and treat visual system disorders such as binocular vision and eye movement impairments. | Salary $85600 |
diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions. | Salary $119980 |
under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area. | Salary $28500 |
provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth and those who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general medical care to women. | Salary $238320 |
maintain a sterile field to provide support for physicians and nurses during endoscopy procedures. Prepare and maintain instruments and equipment. May obtain specimens. | Salary $39110 |
Learn more about Surgical Assistants
| Summary | |
| Job Description (You are here) | |
| Salary | |
| Requirements | |
| Is This Right For Me |
Find a college with the major you want
Related to Surgical Assistants Job Description
Surgical Assistants job description, what do Surgical Assistants do, typical day for Surgical Assistants, what is it like to work as a Surgical Assistant, how many hours do Surgical Assistants work, day to day work of a Surgical Assistant
