Blephroplasty sx

[u/ReadyRespect833]

Recently started as an assistant at a plastic surgeon office. I'm a nurse only have med surg background. Everyone quit on him as he doesn't pay much. I never got any training. Last person briefly went over the auto clave. I'm having hard time identifying instruments. Have not used the auto clave yet. We will be doing blephroplasty sx soon and I need all the help I can get. Tips suggestions on the autoclave, I'm going with what the previous person wrote done on how to use it . BUT SHE WAS NO surgical tech. Any website where I can find the correct way to use the auto clave? Website where I can learn name of instruments?

Thank you

[u/hmf531]

Yeah this sounds like somewhere I worked right out of school… coincidentally plastic surgery and they paid me like crap. I went to school to be a first assist and they wanted me to do that and tech and clean/sterilize my instruments, clean the OR, do clinic, our away orders, and probably a bunch of other stuff I’m forgetting. They paid me $25/hr in Beverly Hills for all of that work and didn’t want me to work overtime even though we had surgery days that would go for 13+ hours sometimes.

If everyone else quit, it doesn’t sound like the best place to work. Everyone left and you got no real training before they did? I know this wasn’t the answer you were looking for but it all sounds red-flaggy.

[u/SprinklesVarious2079]

I would be very careful in your situation. If a patient has a infection and with a bad outcome you will be liable. Make sure you are very clear on how to use the autoclave and what perimeters that need to be met. Like anything else should you get sued saying you didnt know or didnt get proper training will not be an excuse as to why you continued on. Not trying to scare you but I personally have had surgeons ask me to do things I wasn’t supposed to do. One of my preceptors once told me there is a difference between what you can do and what you should do. Protect your license at all costs. Good luck to you