CNA to SA?

[ArmyWife11B]

I'm wondering would it be worth it to go from being a CNA to being a SA (surgical assistant)? I currently work at a Hospital as a CNA, I've been working there for about 7 months.. there was an opening for a SA so I applied. I'm not sure if it would be the right move for me though. Doing SA duties I don't think I would qualify on the hours to keep up my other certification. Also I don't even know what I would be doing as an SA...I'm assuming mostly pt. transport to and from surgery. The pay scale at the hospital for CNA is 12.81 to 18.30 and the pay scale for an SA is 14.36 to 20.52. ALSO (lol) CNA's work 12 hour shifts with 36 hrs. a week (which I've gotten used to, and don't mind) & SA's work 8's with 40 hrs a week. A little more background info is I eventually want to become a Respiratory Therapist, and need to think about school hours and such when I do end up starting school for RT...confusing I know. Any opinions are appreciated :)

[GM2RN]

http://www.caahep.org/content.aspx?id=52

surgical assisting

occupational description

as defined by the american college of surgeons, the surgical assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. in addition to intraoperative duties, the surgical assistant also performs preoperative and postoperative duties to better facilitate proper patient care. the surgical assistant to the surgeon during the operation does so under the direction and supervision of that surgeon and in accordance with hospital policy and appropriate laws and regulations.

job description

in general, surgical assistants have the following responsibilities:

• determine specific equipment needed per procedure
  
• review permit to confirm procedure and special needs
  
• select and place of x-rays for reference
  
• assist in moving and positioning of patient
  
• insert and remove foley urinary bladder catheter
  
• place pneumatic tourniquet
  
• confirm procedure with surgeon
  
• drape patient within surgeon’s guidelines
  
• provide retraction of tissue and organs for optimal visualization with regard to tissue type and appropriate retraction instrument and/or technique
  
• assist in maintaining hemostasis by direct pressure, use and application of appropriate surgical instrument for the task, placement of ties, placement of suture ligatures, application of chemical hemostatic agents, or other measures as directed by the surgeon
  
• use electrocautery mono and bi-polar
  
• clamp, ligate, and cut tissue per surgeon’s directive
  
• harvest saphenous vein, including skin incision, per surgeon’s directive
  
• dissect common femoral artery and bifurcate per surgeon’s directive
  
• maintain integrity of sterile field
  
• close all wound layers (facia, subcutaneous and skin) as per surgeon’s directive
  
• insert drainage tubes per surgeon’s directive
  
• select and apply wound dressings
  
• assist with resuscitation of patient during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events in the operating room
  
• perform any other duties or procedures incident to the surgical procedure deemed necessary and as directed by the surgeon
  

employment characteristics

certified surgical assistants assist in a variety of surgery specialties:

• general surgery
  
• orthopaedic surgery
  
• neurosurgery
  
• spinal surgery
  
• otolaryngology
  
• obstetrical surgery
  
• gynecological surgery
  
• craniofacial surgery
  
• radial neck surgery
  
• genitourinary surgery
  
• cardiac surgery
  
• thoracic surgery
  
• vascular surgery
  
• trauma surgery
  
• plastic surgery
  
• ophthalmologic surgery
  

according to the national surgical assistant association, the average starting salary for surgical assistants is $55,000, with an overall average of $75,000, and upper range salary between $120,000 and $200,000.

educational programs

length. current caahep-accredited programs range from 10 months to 22 months. surgical assisting is a specialty profession that requires specific training over and above a degree in science, nursing, physician assisting, or another health profession.

prerequisites. recommended eligibility requirements for admission into a surgical assisting program are:

• bachelor of science degree (or higher)
  
• associate degree in an allied health field, with 3 years of recent experience
  
• cst, cnor, or pa c, with current certification
  
• three years of current operating room scrub and/or assisting experience within the last 5 years
  
• military medical training with surgical assistant experience
  
• proof of Liability Insurance
  
• current cpr/bls certification
  
• acceptable health and immunization records
  
• computer literacy
  

students also must be able to show proof of successful completion of basic science (college level) instruction, including:

• microbiology
  
• pathophysiology
  
• pharmacology
  
• anatomy and physiology
  
• medical terminology
  

curriculum. course content includes:

• advanced surgical anatomy
  
• surgical microbiology
  
• surgical pharmacology
  
• anesthesia methods and agents
  
• bioscience
  
• ethical and legal considerations
  
• fundamental technical skills
  
• complications during surgery
  
• interpersonal skills
  
• clinical application of computers
  

students must possess a working knowledge of operating room fundamentals, including aseptic principles and techniques, before moving on to the advanced levels of the program. in addition, the national surgical assistant association requires clinical training “at the table” to reach the advanced skill level requirements to be eligible to sit for the nsaa’s certification examination.

credentialing

the liaison council on certification for the surgical technologist (lcc-st) offers the certified surgical technologist/certified first assistant (cst/cfa) credential, and the national surgical assistant association (nsaa) offers a certified surgical assistant (csa) credential. to be eligible for lcc-st testing, individuals must be graduates of a caahep-accredited surgical assistant program or a cst with current certification who meets a number of other eligibility requirements.

inquiries

certification

the national board for surgical technology and surgical assisting

6 west dry creek circle

ste. 100

littleton, co 80120

phone: [phone] • fax: [phone]

website: nbstsa.org

national surgical assistant association

2615 amesbury road

winston salem, nc 27103

[phone]

careers/curriculum

national surgical assistant association

2615 amesbury road

winston salem, nc 27103

[phone]

association of surgical assistants (asa)

6 west dry creek circle, suite 210

littleton, co 80120

phone: [phone]

website: www.surgicalassistant.org