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Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.
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Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
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Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
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Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.
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Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
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Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
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Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
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Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
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Postoperatively inject a subcutaneous local anesthetic agent to reduce pain.
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Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
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Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
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Insert or remove urinary bladder catheters.
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Remove patient hair or disinfect incision sites to prepare patient for surgery.
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Adjust and maintain operating room temperature, humidity, or lighting, according to surgeon's specifications.
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Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
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Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
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Transport patients to operating room.
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Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
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Monitor patient intra-operative status, including patient position, vital signs, or volume and color of blood.
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Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
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Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.
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Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.
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Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
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Operate sterilizing devices.
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Assist in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques.
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Incise tissue layers in lower extremities to harvest veins.
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Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
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Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.