Surgical Tech - Certified Surg Tech

Surgical Technologist

The Surgical Technologist 1 functions in the inter-operative phase of patient care to expedite surgical procedures under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. This position assists the surgical team through the use of equipment and instrumentation to ensure that the operating room environment is safe and that required equipment is available and functioning properly.

Essential Functions of the Role:

• Discuss any special needs with the surgeon before surgery and scrub in to surgery with adequate time for proper preparation of instruments.
• Prepare the operative site by aseptically cleaning and patient clipping as needed.
• Maintain the instrument table(s) in an organized manner to avoid damage to instrumentation and incorrect needs or instrument counts.
• Identify damaged or incomplete trays and rectify discrepancies immediately to avoid delays or injury.
• Set up the operating room according to surgical procedure schedules; arrange sterile set up of instrument table supplies and equipment.
• Ensure the proper functioning of surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies during surgical procedures.
• Perform surgical counts of sponges, sharps, instruments, and miscellaneous items according to established policies and procedures.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and surgical team staff.
• Pass sterile supplies and equipment to surgeons and assistants during procedures, hold retractor devices, and respond to the surgical team's needs.
• Assist the surgical team with draping and positioning the patient.
• Receive surgical specimens following specimen protocol and pass the specimens off the sterile field to the circulating nurse.
• Assist with placement of surgical dressings to the operative site following the completion of surgical cases.
• Disassemble surgical instrumentation as indicated at the end of the procedure and appropriately dispose of sharps, fluids, and waste.
• Prepare soiled instrumentation for proper transportation to the decontamination area.
• Ensure the cleaning, decontamination, sterilization, maintenance, and preparation of surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies for distribution.
• Clean the operating room following each case and return equipment to storage areas.
• Follow infection control policies and regulatory requirements to ensure a safe work environment.
• Ensure proper orientation and knowledge of all equipment and instrumentation prior to patient use.

Key Success Factors:

• Successful completion of a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredited or other nationally accredited surgical technologist program until the 180th day after graduation.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and regulatory sterilization standards.
• Knowledge of the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and surgical procedures.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills to interact with surgical and central sterile processing team members.
• Occasional exposure to chemical or radiation hazards.