score

Do You Have What It Takes to First Assist?

Occasionally, and I'm still finding my footing

Routinely, and the surgeon stops having to direct me through it

Watching the field generally while managing my own tasks

Watching their hands and their timing, and noticing what they do before being asked

Already know which retractor, which direction, and where the vulnerable structures are

Choose something reasonable and adjust from their reaction

I know the instruments and the order they're used

I could name the structures at risk at each step and say why

I know the major landmarks and the general sequence

I've tried it a few times or taken a class

Regularly. I own the materials and I use them

Rarely. I know instruments better than anatomy

Usually can, because I study the anatomy before cases I'm unfamiliar with

Sometimes can, depending on the specialty

Ask whether they want that one or the alternative

Pass what they asked for and say what you're seeing, briefly and without an audience

Most of the time, including the small things like suction and countertraction

It stings, but I don't carry it into the next day

I take the correction, fix it, and it's gone by the next case

I'd consider whether this job is worth it

Most of them, including the things nobody wrote down

That's the job. I'd be watching the field the whole time

Get suction and exposure where the surgeon needs it, before being asked, and say nothing

I know it varies by state but not my own situation

Yes, and I know what my state specifically requires

Yes, and I know the requirements in writing

I've had an informal conversation about it

I've priced specific programs and know how I'd pay and schedule it

Yes, including how it's billed or paid where I work