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St. Tammany Parish Hospital·Covington, Louisiana
First Assistant - Surgery
Computed from live listings
The Surgical First Assistant collaborates with the surgeon to perform safe operations by providing aid in exposure, hemostasis, and technical functions. They also assist with patient positioning, wound closure, and the application of dressings during the intraoperative phase.
At St. Tammany Health System, delivering world-class healthcare close to home is our goal. That means we are committed to attracting and retaining the very best professionals for every position in our health system.
We believe the pristine beauty of St. Tammany Parish adds to our attractive compensation package. The health system is nestled in the heart of Covington on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. It is a peaceful, scenic, community-oriented area with an abundance of amenities to suit every taste.
Job Description: And position requirements
Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
The Surgical First Assistant can have a formal background as a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Surgical Technologist (ST). The Surgical First Assistant collaborates with the surgeon and the healthcare team in performing a safe operation with optimal outcomes for the patient. The First Assistant practices perioperative practice and must have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and judgment specific to clinical practice. The First Assistant practices in collaboration with and at the direction of the surgeon during the intraoperative phase of the perioperative experience. The Surgical First Assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, and other technical functions that will help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. This role will vary considerably with the surgical operation and specialty. Clinical skills performed under direct supervision of the surgeon may include the following: positioning the patient, preparing the skin, providing visualization of the operative site, utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis, utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes, assisting with selecting and applying appropriate wound dressings and providing assistance in securing drainage system to tissue. If this employee has a formal background as a RN, this employee will function as a First Assistant or Circulator according to the needs of the department/ staffing assignment. If this employee has a formal background as a Surgical Technologist, this employee will function as a First Assistant or a Surgical Technologist according to the needs of the department/ staffing assignment.
Certification as a Surgical First Assistant from an accredited certifying agency; Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing and/or School of Surgical Technology; Current registered nurse licensure in LA, if formal RN background; Current BLS certification through any International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) provided courses such as but not limited to: Ochsner Health System, American Heart Association, and American Red Cross. The ILCOR course must include a manikin check off.
The Surgical First Assistant must be available in-house within 30 minutes when on call.
Each St. Tammany Health System staff member is expected to conduct himself or herself according to our mission, vision and values. Please take time to review those expectations, which can be found b [https://www.sttammany.health/ourmission]y clicking here [https://www.sttammany.health/ourmission], before applying for employment. If you feel you are unable to demonstrate those characteristics, we respectfully request that you do not proceed with the application process.
St. Tammany Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. Tammany Health System is committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Candidates must hold a certification as a Surgical First Assistant and be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing or Surgical Technology. A current BLS certification and the ability to be on-site within 30 minutes for call are required.
Market context
In Louisiana, nursing roles typically see steady demand across hospitals, clinics, and community care settings, especially for RNs with current licensure and recent clinical experience. These roles can be competitive because employers often look for candidates who can start quickly, meet certification and driving requirements, and handle patient care with limited onboarding. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, and confirm your RN license, CPR certification, and driver’s license are current before applying.