CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECH (CST) - PRN

Surgical Technician

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform patient care activities; individualizes perioperative and assists with positioning to meet the needs of the patient and surgeon. Assists with proper positioning of patients by protecting nerve and bony provinces, maintains body alignment to ensure vascular flow and unencumbered respiratory ventilation and maintains patient's privacy.
• Ensures physical preparation of the surgical suite, i.e. cleaning, stocking, and replacing supplies.
• Opens sterile supplies onto sterile field using aseptic techniques. Ensures the integrity of the sterile field and initiates corrective measures as appropriate.
• Complies with Surgery Center protocol and manufacturers guidelines for use, processing and maintenance of supplies and equipment.
• Checks equipment for safe working order and effective cleaning prior to use. Removes defective instruments and equipment from service and documents specific nature of the problem.
• Sets up sterile table with instruments, sutures, blades, electrosurgical equipment, suction, prosthesis and solutions needed for each procedure according to Center standards. Scrubs, gowns and gloves according to established Center policy.
• Identifies all specimens and follows special instructions of the surgeon. Prepares surgical incision and applies post-op dressing per surgeon preference. Assists with transport of patients.
• Assists in keeping surgeon's preference cards current by reporting needed changes to circulating nurse and checks cards at case end to assure that updating is complete. Prepares instruments for return to processing department for decontamination and sterilization. Participates as operating room team member to complete room turnover.
• Performs O.R. Duties/Responsibilities; applies basic knowledge of all solutions and medications for use during surgical procedure in accordance with O.R. Standards. Maintains supply of sponges, fluids, sutures and other supplies for use during procedure. Hands instruments and supplies to surgeon, holds retractors, cuts sutures, and performs other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation. Uses dexterity and economy of motion in passing surgical instruments.
• Functions as a team member during stress and in crisis situations. Utilizes cost containment principles for use of supplies.

Requirements:

Required Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED. Formal training as an O.R. Technician. Required certified as a surgical technologist.

Preferred Education and Experience: CGRN preferred. Must obtain ACLS certification within 3 months of employment.