Michelle Kennedy
Decatur,IL
Summary
Meticulous surgical team member skilled at coordinating supplies and instruments to prepare for procedures and assist staff. Maintain aseptic fields and unobstructed views to help surgeries succeed. Efficiently prioritize tasks and communicate with surgical staff. Skilled Surgical Assistant offering more than 18 years of experience and well versed in all surgical procedures with concentration primarily in orthopedics and neuro surgery. Adept at orienting and training technical staff and implementing policies to streamline workflow. Excited to bring expertise to growing organization offering room for advancement.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Register Surgical First Assistant/Certified Surgical Technologist
Orthopedic Center Of Illinois
Springfield, IL
02.2022 - Current
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked within applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
- Promoted office efficiency, coordinating charts, completing insurance forms and helping patients with diverse needs.
- Called and faxed pharmacies to submit prescriptions and refills.
- Enhanced patient outcomes by providing knowledgeable education on procedures, medications and other physician instructions.
- Utilized effective communication and active listening skills when interacting with physicians, nursing staff and patients.
- Directed patients to exam rooms, fielded questions and prepared for physician examinations.
- Assisted with patients, supported physical and emotional needs across multiple sites and locations.
- Reviewed physician's calendar and scheduled patient appointments by telephone and in-person.
- Restocked supplies in front office and in patient exam rooms to stay in line with expected patient levels.
- Anticipated surgeons needs and handed instruments and supplies to surgeons during procedures.
- Liaised between office and operating room teams to assure availability of requisite instruments and equipment.
- Evaluated procedure needs and set up equipment, tools, supplies and instruments.
- Created unobstructive operative fields by using retractors, sponges, and suction and irrigating equipment.
- Used sutures, staples, clips and other tools to close wounds.
- Delivered exemplary assistance and support to surgeons during surgery.
- Controlled bleeding during procedures by applying hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, and electrocautery equipment.
Certified Surgical First Assistant
American Surgical Professionals
Houston, TX
05.2016 - 02.2022
- Kept views unobstructed by retracting, sponging and suctioning surgical sites.
- Applied antiseptics and sterile dressings to cover surgical locations and boost healing.
- Minimized surgical bleeding with skilled ligation and clamping of blood vessels.
- Applied sutures, staples or other materials to close skin, facial or subcutaneous wound layers.
- Clamped, ligated or cauterized blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures or electrocautery equipment.
- Worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately.
Surgical Technologist
Decatur Memorial Hospital
Decatur, IL
05.2003 - 05.2016
- Created and maintained unobstructed operative fields using diverse range of tools, including retractors, sponges and suctioning and irrigation equipment.
- Worked closely with new staff members to provide training on operating room procedures, infection control, safety standards and overall facility policies.
- Created unobstructive operative fields by using retractors, sponges, and suction and irrigating equipment.
- Supported surgeons during general, gynecological, orthopedic, neurological and plastic surgery procedures.
- Kept accurate counts of needle, instrument and sponge inventories.
- Conducted initial and terminal sponge, instrument and needle counts.
- Collected, prepared, and disposed of medical specimens.
- Quickly and accurately set up equipment and counts, following surgical protocols and surgeon preferences.
- Provided comprehensive support to surgeons specializing in sports medicine, total joint replacement, spine and orthopedic trauma treatment.
Education
Associate of Science - Surgical Technology
Richland Community College
Decatur, IL05.2004
Skills
- Passing surgical instruments
- Setting up and operating equipment
- Pre-surgical preparation
- Suturing
- Wound Dressing
Certification
- Certified Surgical Assistant (SA-C)
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- BLS Certification
Timeline
Register Surgical First Assistant/Certified Surgical Technologist
Orthopedic Center Of Illinois
02.2022 - Current
Certified Surgical First Assistant
American Surgical Professionals
05.2016 - 02.2022
Surgical Technologist
Decatur Memorial Hospital
05.2003 - 05.2016
Associate of Science - Surgical Technology
Richland Community College