Licensed Surgical Assistant - Fondren

Job Details: Level: Experienced, Job Location: FOG-Main Street - Houston, TX, Salary Range: $65.00 - $80.00Hourly, Position Summary

The Licensed Surgical Assistant (LSA) works directly with the physician to provide surgical and clinical support in both the operating room and outpatient clinic setting. The position will typically assist in surgery three days per week and support the physician’s clinic two days per week.

The LSA serves as an integral member of the surgical team, providing skilled first-assisting services during operative procedures while maintaining patient safety, sterile technique, and efficient surgical workflow. On clinic days, the LSA assists the physician and clinical team with patient care, clinic flow, documentation, procedures, and other clinical responsibilities within the employee’s training, competency, and applicable scope of practice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Surgical Responsibilities – Approximately 3 Days per Week

Serve as a surgical first assistant during operative procedures performed by the assigned physician.
Assist with positioning, prepping, and draping patients for surgical procedures.
Provide exposure of the operative field through appropriate retraction and other approved techniques.
Assist with tissue handling, retraction, suctioning, hemostasis, and other surgical techniques as directed by the surgeon.
Assist with closure of surgical wounds, including suturing, stapling, and application of dressings as permitted by licensure, training, and physician direction.
Assist with placement and application of splints, braces, dressings, and other postoperative devices when appropriate.
Anticipate the surgeon’s needs throughout the procedure to promote efficiency and patient safety.
Maintain strict sterile technique and comply with operating room infection-control and safety standards.
Assist the surgical team with patient transfer and positioning before and following procedures.
Review the surgical schedule and ensure necessary equipment, implants, supplies, and special requests are communicated and available prior to surgery.
Communicate effectively with physicians, anesthesia providers, nurses, surgical technologists, vendors, and other members of the surgical team.
Assist with completion of required surgical documentation as appropriate.
Follow all facility, regulatory, and organizational policies related to surgical patient care.
Participate in surgical time-outs and other patient safety protocols.
Assist with coordination of postoperative care and communication with the clinic team as needed.

Clinic Responsibilities – Approximately 2 Days per Week

Support the assigned physician during outpatient clinic.
Assist with maintaining efficient patient flow throughout the clinic.
Review patient charts and prepare for scheduled clinic visits.
Room patients and obtain appropriate patient information, including medical history, medication updates, allergies, and reason for visit as needed.
Assist the physician with patient examinations and in-office procedures.
Prepare examination and procedure rooms and ensure appropriate supplies and equipment are available.
Assist with wound checks, dressing changes, suture or staple removal, and other postoperative care as permitted by training and scope of practice.
Assist with application or removal of braces, splints, casts, or other orthopedic devices when trained and authorized to do so.
Provide physician-directed patient education regarding postoperative care, restrictions, braces, wound care, and treatment plans.
Assist with documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) as appropriate.
Assist with entering or preparing physician-directed orders, referrals, imaging requests, and other clinical documentation in accordance with organizational policy.
Coordinate communication between the physician, patients, surgery scheduling staff, imaging departments, therapy, and other members of the healthcare team.
Respond to patient clinical questions and route concerns to the physician or appropriate clinical staff when necessary.
Assist with preoperative and postoperative patient coordination.
Help ensure that physician orders and follow-up instructions are completed accurately and timely.
Maintain examination rooms, clinical supplies, and equipment in accordance with infection-control standards.
Provide additional clinical coverage and support as needed.

General Responsibilities

Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements at all times.
Provide professional, compassionate, and courteous service to patients, physicians, coworkers, and outside healthcare partners.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation.
Follow OSHA, infection-control, sterile technique, and patient-safety requirements.
Maintain all licenses, certifications, and continuing education requirements necessary for the position.
Demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality, particularly on scheduled surgical days.
Maintain flexibility regarding surgical schedules, including changes in procedure times, surgical locations, and clinic schedules.
Travel between assigned surgical facilities and clinic locations as required.
Participate in staff meetings, training, and continuing education as required.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the physician or management.

Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications

Current and unrestricted Texas Surgical Assistant License or other licensure required to practice as a Licensed Surgical Assistant in the State of Texas.
Graduate of an accredited or recognized surgical assisting program or equivalent qualifying education and training.
Current BLS certification required.
Surgical first-assisting experience required; orthopedic surgical experience strongly preferred.
Knowledge of sterile technique, surgical procedures, surgical instrumentation, and operating room safety standards.
Ability to perform clinical duties in an outpatient physician practice.
Experience with electronic medical record systems preferred.
Ability to communicate effectively with physicians, patients, hospital personnel, and coworkers.
Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a surgical and clinical team.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous orthopedic surgical assisting experience.
Experience assisting with orthopedic procedures such as total joint, sports medicine, trauma, spine, hand, foot and ankle, or other applicable orthopedic specialties.
Previous experience working in an orthopedic clinic.
Experience with postoperative wound care, splinting, bracing, and other orthopedic clinical procedures.
EMR experience.
Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the physical requirements necessary to safely assist with surgical and clinical patient care, including:

Standing for extended periods during surgical procedures.
Walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and positioning throughout the workday.
Assisting with positioning and transferring patients with appropriate assistance and equipment.
Lifting and moving medical equipment and supplies.
Maintaining fine motor skills and manual dexterity necessary for surgical assisting.
Wearing required personal protective equipment for extended periods.
Working in environments involving exposure to blood, bodily fluids, infectious materials, surgical smoke, chemicals, radiation, and other potential healthcare-related occupational hazards.