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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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Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
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Transport patients to operating room.
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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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Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
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Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
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Incise tissue layers in lower extremities to harvest veins.
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Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
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Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.
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Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
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Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.
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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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Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
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Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.
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Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
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Assist in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques.
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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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Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
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Operate sterilizing devices.
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Postoperatively inject a subcutaneous local anesthetic agent to reduce pain.
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Insert or remove urinary bladder catheters.
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Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
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Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
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Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
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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.