Surgical Technologist

Surgical Support Position

This role is a surgical support position responsible for preparing instruments, supplies, and equipment and maintaining a sterile environment during surgery. The person assists the surgeon and surgical team throughout procedures, helps position and prepare patients, passes instruments, performs required counts, and helps clean and set up the operating room between cases.

Schedule: 40-hours per week Shift: Days

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. Has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon. Has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field.
• Assists the surgical team before, during, and after surgery by performing the following duties
• Checks instruments, supplies, and equipment needed for surgical procedures.
• Scrubs, gowns, gloves, and sets up sterile table with instruments and supplies, equipment and medication, solutions needed for each procedure
• Assists with patient placement and positioning on the table. Assists in draping sterile field according to procedure, physician preference.
• Performs appropriate counts for sponges, needles, and instruments with circulator according to policy prior to the operation and before incision is closed.
• Gowns and gloves surgeon and assistants. Creates and maintains sterile field. Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during procedure.
• Passes instruments, etc. to surgeon during procedure. May sponge operative site, hold retractors during surgery, cut suture and cauterize previously clamped vessels as directed by surgeon. Prepares sterile dressings. If applicable and at the direction of the surgeon, apply and secure dressings.
• Assists other members of team with cleaning the operating room after each procedure. Assists in prepping room for the next patient.
• Participates in department performance improvement activities.

Education And Experience

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred
• Graduate of an CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program required OR program currently participating in accreditation process
• Less than 1 year experience as a Surgical Scrub technologist

Certification And Licensure

• Certified Surgical Technologist through NBSTSA preferred
• Certified Surgical Technologist through NBSTSA required only if program is not accredited but currently participating in accreditation process
• Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 days (other certifications per unit requirements. ACLS, PALS, PEARS, NRP)

Additional Requirements

• Passing the Driver's License Check, Credit Check or both (for those positions requiring).
• Passing the WI Caregiver Background Check, IL Health Care Workers Background Check or both.
• Must be able to follow written, oral instructions.

Skills And Abilities

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Occupational Exposure Category A - All partners in the specified job classification have occupational exposure.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to cold, hot, or wet conditions, fluoroscopic radiation, laser light, surgical smoke, and the risk of bloodborne pathogens. Required personal protection equipment (PPE) includes eye and face protection, impervious gown, shoe covers, head cover, gloves, and lead apron.

Age Of Patients Served

• Neonate (birth – 28 days)
• Infant (29 days – less than 1 year)
• Pediatric (1 year – 12 years)
• Adolescents (13 years – 17 years)
• Adult (18 years – 64 years)
• Geriatric (65 years and older)

Information Access

Partner may access patient care information needed to perform their job duties.

Work Contact Group

Partners, physicians, patients, family, visitors, vendors

Special Physical Demands

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or smell. The employee must regularly lift, move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift, move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Level Of Supervision

Supervisory responsibilities are conducted in accordance with directives of management, the organization's policies, and applicable laws.

Supervises

May directly supervise, mentor up to one surgical technician student. When acting as a preceptor, carries out those responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's and school's policies and applicable laws. Serves as an educator, nurturer, and role model for the student. Acts as a resource and is supportive of the student by sharing knowledge obtained through work and life experiences. Responsibilities include guiding and enhancing the learning of the student by providing options, ideas, meaningful feedback, and information with instruction when identifying problems, prompting the student to think on their own and work it out.

Pay Range:

$22.73 - $34.10

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Disability Insurance
• FSA/HSA Options
• Generous, accruing paid time off
• Paid Parental and caregiver leave
• Career advancement and educational opportunities
• Tuition and certification reimbursement
• Certification Reimbursement
• Well-being Programs
• Employee Discounts
• On-Demand Pay
• Financial Education
• Annual recognition/awards events
• Partner appreciation days
• Family entertainment/attractions discount
• Community service/improvement opportunities

At Mercyhealth, we don't simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated care across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

• #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50
• One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers
• A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women