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Certified Surgical First Assistant-Operating Room-Day Shift

Southern Illinois Healthcare · Herrin, IL · $30.57–$47.38 an hour · Full time

Posted Jul 13, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you noticed a break in sterile technique during a case. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they will speak up immediately to protect the patient, even when it slows the case.

How many cases are in your log, and which specialties are you strongest and weakest in?

What they are checking: Whether they can speak honestly about their experience against the 120-case minimum and NBSTSA criteria.

This role has call. Tell me how you've handled being called in for an emergency case at night.

What they are checking: Whether they are reliable for after-hours call and can perform well when called in unexpectedly.

Where are you with CSFA certification, and what's your plan to finish it within the first year?

What they are checking: Whether they have a realistic plan to meet a certification requirement that is a condition of the role.

What would you do

How do you handle a surgeon who gets short with you when something isn't ready?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay professional and focused on the patient under pressure in the operating room.

The case is closing and the count is off by one sponge. What happens next?

What they are checking: Whether they follow count discrepancy procedures fully and never let pressure to finish override patient safety.

About the work

Walk me through how you provide exposure on a case where the surgeon's view keeps getting blocked.

What they are checking: Whether they anticipate the surgeon's needs with retractors and positioning rather than waiting to be told.

How do you keep a dry field during a case with heavier bleeding than expected?

What they are checking: Whether they use suction, sponges and hemostasis techniques effectively and stay calm when bleeding picks up.

What's your approach to skin prep and draping for a procedure you haven't assisted on often?

What they are checking: Whether they know prep principles well enough to adapt safely to unfamiliar procedures.

How do you prepare a room so the right instruments, sutures and supplies are there before the patient arrives?

What they are checking: Whether they plan ahead using preference cards and procedure knowledge to avoid delays and open-and-waste.

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The full job description

As published by Southern Illinois Healthcare.

Current SIH employees need to apply for positions through our internal job portal. Log in to Workday to apply through the Jobs Hub. Position Summary • Responsible for assisting the surgeon in performing a safe surgical procedure to maximize patient outcomes. Education • Associate’s Degree from a surgical technology programs accredited through ARC/STSA, or an accredited Surgical First Assist training program (NBSTSA National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting). Licenses and Certification • Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate and Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA) and CSFA Certification within one year of employment and case log per NBTSA criteria. • Registered by the State of Illinois Experience and Skills • One year experience as a Surgical First Assist with at least 120 logged cases. Role Specific Responsibilities • 7-3:30 day shift, call required Prepares rooms with appropriate instruments, sutures, supplies, and equipment necessary for area of specialty. Monitors and restocks supplies. • Completes skin preparation and draping • Opens sterile supplies and sets up for procedures. • Provides wound exposure through proper use of retractors so surgeon may clearly view operative site. • Through use of suction and sponges, provides a dry field of operation to permit optimum vision of tissue, viscera, vessels, etc. • Provides homeostasis by use of clamps, cautery, ligation, • May complete partial wound closure subcutaneous tissues and skin only under direct supervision of the surgeon. • Applies in application of special dressings such as circumferential elastic bandages and taping • Assists in maintaining correct count of instruments, sutures, and sponges. • Decontaminates instruments, supplies and equipment according to established policies and procedures; handles and stores instruments, equipment and supplies appropriately. • Communicates and interfaces with team members, patients, and medical staff to ensure high quality patient care. • Transports patients to and from Operating room suite; position patients according to type of surgery. • Performs biological and chemical monitoring in accordance with quality assurance standards. • Adheres to SIH organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards. • Reports any unusual incidents to circulating nurse • Assists in identifying, collecting, and caring for specimens. • Assists in dismantling tables and instruments after procedure • Assembles special operating tables such as fracture tables, positioning devices • Provides knowledge of surgical anatomy, operative techniques related to the operative procedure. • Provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative duties, as well, as preoperative and postoperative duties under the direction and supervision of the surgeon. Compensation (Commensurate with experience): $30.57 To $47.38 To access our Benefits Guide/Plan Information, please click the link below: http://www.sih.net/careers/benefits

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