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 (., 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: ● Unconditional love ● Trustworthy collaboration ● Health Education ● Contagious calm ● Perfect skill in fostering safety and comfort ● Creation of a restorative environment ● Cares for self ● Watchfulness ● 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 (., 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. ____________________________________________________________________________