Surgical Technologist | Open Heart Surgery | Full-time | Days

Surgical Tech for Open Heart

Join UF Health Flagler Hospital as a Surgical Tech for Open Heart and become part of a nationally recognized academic health system committed to excellence in patient care, education, and research. In this role, you will work alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide high-quality cardiovascular diagnostic services that support the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of heart conditions. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled and compassionate professional to contribute to exceptional patient outcomes while advancing their career in a collaborative and innovative healthcare environment.

The Surgical Tech OH provides surgical assistance pre and post operation. Organizes and prepares supplies and equipment for procedures. Sets up the operating surgeon's sterile field and anticipates surgeon's needs. Provides direct assistance for surgical procedure: assists surgeon with surgical gowns and gloves, hands the desired instruments to the surgeon during the operation, prepares sterile dressings. Cleans the surgical instruments and operating room post operation.

• Opens sterile supplies to field without contamination after verifying sterile indicator and dates. Receives sterile supplies from circulator using proper technique. Always verifies dates on any fluids, medication, or other applicable.
• Provide equipment and supplies based on patient need: Anticipates surgeon's needs as surgery progresses. Prepares instruments quickly and efficiently with regard to sequence of use. Ensures that all instruments and equipment are available and in good working order for each case.
• Prepare Mayo set-up: Selects appropriate instruments for procedure. Uses care with sharps on Mayo and when passing to surgeon (hands free method when possible). Maintains suture ties in an easily accessible manner. Never allows free sharps on Mayo: all needles remain in pack or secured on needle holder or in needle counter.
• Perform proper specimen handling: All specimens are handled according to guidelines from the lab after verification from scrub tech or surgeon as to tissue identification and desired tissue request (permanent specimen, fresh, frozen section, cultures, etc.) Never discards any tissue sample unless approved by the surgeon. Universal precautions are observed and appropriate PPE utilized.
• Prepare back table set-up: Maintains adequate count of all countable items on sterile field; never accepts items which are not x-ray detectable before the skin is closed (dressing sponges). Maintains order so that relief can assume role when necessary.
• Follows the established protocol for obtaining, charging for, and returning supplies/equipment and maintains adequate supply levels through the use of accurate inventory control.
• Prepares and assists with placement of perfusion assist devices such as Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Impella.
• Ability to assist surgeon with preparing patient for the heart and lung bypass machine.
• Collaborates with SPD coordinator to ensure adequate instrumentation for all open heart specialty cases.
• Organizes and coordinates with hybrid OR staff to provide care and access on designated structural heart cases. Gathers and prepares all emergency supplies and equipment needed to convert to open procedure in the hybrid OR as indicated.
• Assists in procedure specific wound closure under direct supervision of the surgeon.
• All other duties as assigned by department.

Education / Training

• Graduate Accredited Surgical Tech Program

Experience Requirements

• 3 to 5 year Surgical Tech (in Hospital setting)
• 2-year Open Heart and Vascular Surgical Tech

Skills and Abilities:

Withstand stressful situations and be flexible within daily work assignments. Good organizational skills; must have the ability and desire to promote good interpersonal relationships.

Certificates/Licenses/Registration

• Basic Life Support (BLS)

Preferences:

Surgical Technician Certification preferred. Wound Closure Course Certificate preferred

Additional Information:

Post-Employment: BLS, provided by American Heart Association (AHA), required within 30 days of hire