Surgical Technologist Surgical First Assistant

Location:

Lubbock, TX

Posted:

June 19, 2026

Contact this candidate

Resume:

Mitzi N. Ritter

**** **** ******

806-***-****

***********@*****.***

www.facebook.com/mitzinicoleritter

Clinical Experience & Specialties

General/Vascular*

Obstetrics/Gynecology*

Oncologic Gynecology*

Restorative Reproductive Fertility*

Urology/Genitourinary*

Gastrointestinal*

Neurology*

ENT

Da Vinci Xi Robotics*

ROSA

* Total Knee Replacement

Orthopedics*

Cosmetic & Reconstructive*

Trauma Level II*

Organ & Tissue Procurement*

Transplant

Skills

17+ years of experience

Coordinated, proven performer.

Experienced working in the main OR, Trauma Center

& Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Attentive, observant, actively engaged

Works quickly, calmly and accurately under pressure

Skilled in preparing and ensuring the proper working order of procedural equipment, supplies & instrumentation prior to case

Proficient in anticipating the needs of the surgeon, knowledgeable of surgeon’s preferences and efficient in updating the surgeon’s preference cards as needed

Adequately performs all sponge, needle and instrument counts prior to and during the procedure as well as before wound closure

Skilled in surgical suite organization, preparation, cleanliness and timely room turn over

Knowledgeable in utilization, decontamination and sterilization of instrumentation

Skilled in the preparation, maintenance and integrity of the sterile field and of infection control & prevention

Efficient in specimen retrieval and proper preparation for transfer to pathology

Proficient understanding of medical and pharmacological terminology

Knowledgeable of laboratory analysis/ pre-intra and post-operative reports

Experienced and educated in the Biomedical Sciences: Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology & Histology

Time Management/Multi-tasker/Well organized

Resourceful, critical thinker and problem solver

Collaborative, team player

Dedicated and reliable

Compassionate and empathetic

Exhibits positive communication, cooperation and respect with superiors & staff Experience

2023-2023

STIII/FA Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville, New Jersey via VOCA (travel agency)

As STIII/FA for Saint Clare’s Hospital, I served in the traditional role of a Surgical Technologist on the 3pm to the 11pm shift. I scrubbed every specialty including Orthopedics, Neurology, General-Vascular, Gastrointestinal, Gynecology. Urology, Plastic & Reconstructive, DaVinci Xi & ROSA Robotics. 2022-2022

STIII/FA Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana via VOCA (travel agency)

As STIII/FA for Saint Vincent’s Hospital, I worked in the Labor & Delivery Unit. I assisted with natural births, as well as Kiwi vacuum-assisted births, forceps assisted births, pre-mature births, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), Cesarean births due to multiple gestation, emergency c-sections such as: breech/abnormal presentation, emergency c-sections for reasons such as: placenta previa, placental abruption, cord prolapse, maternal hemorrhage, fetal distress, infection, unanticipated side effects to medications, perimortem Cesarean, emergency hysterectomy after vaginal or Cesarean birth. 2009 -2017

STIII/FA Associates in Surgical First Assisting

At Associates in Surgical First Assisting, which was a privately-owned First Assistant business, in which I was partial owner of & worked as a freelance First Assistant, & maintained surgical privileges at all three Lee Memorial campuses.

2006-2009

CSTIII/FA Southwest Florida Surgery Center

As a CSTFA for Southwest Florida Surgery Center, three days out of the week, I served in the traditional role of Surgical Technologist for Southwest Florida Urologic Associates. In the Surgical Technologist role, my responsibilities included, but were not limited to: instrument sterilization, OR, equipment & supply preparation, verification of operative site, patient positioning, prep & draping, ensuring & maintaining sterile technique & integrity of the sterile field, preparing & passing instrumentation, anticipating the needs of the surgeon(s), assisting with wound closure, dressing application, patient transport, room turnover, surgical supply purchase & inventory, patient safety & quality assurance reports. On Wednesdays, I served as First Assistant for the group’s pediatric urologist, Dr. Omar Benitez. On Fridays, I served as First Assistant for Dr. William Evans in vasectomy reversals for the purpose of reproductive restoration in cooperation with Dr. Craig Sweet, Infertility Specialist. As First Assistant, my responsibilities included: cauterizing, dissecting, clamping, cutting, tying. suturing, specimen pathology prep, wound closure, dressing app,etc. 1998-2001

CSTIII/FA Lee Memorial Health System

As CSTFA for Lee Memorial, I served in the traditional role of a Surgical Technologist from the time I graduated from the Surgical Technology program in 1998 until I completed the National Institute of First Assistants program in 2001 wherein I resigned as staff & began solely working as a freelance Surgical First Assistant for various surgeons at all three Lee Memorial campuses in Southwest Florida through 2006. 3

Education

2009-2014

B.S. Biomedical Science- Health Studies

Hodges University, Fort Myers, Florida.

Graduate Cum Laude

2000-2001

Surgical First Assistant Education & Training

National Institute of First Assisting, Centennial, CO.

& Ethicon Surgical Training Lab, Miami, Florida 9

1997-1998

Surgical Technologist Lee County High Tech Center, Fort Myers, Florida. 1994-1995

Graduate Lehigh Senior High School, Lehigh Acres, Florida Awards, Affiliations & Certifications