SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST

Surgical Technologist I

**$15,000 Sign-On Bonus Available and Student Debt Program for outstanding school loans**

Job Summary/Overall Objectives

The Surgical Technologist I assist with surgical procedures in the Operating Room as a scrub member of the surgical team under the direction of a registered nurse and a surgeon.

Essential Job Functions

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital/departmental policies, procedures, protocols and other professional standards of care.
• Works directly with the RN to develop and implement an individualized, age-specific plan of care and evaluate its effectiveness.
• Assists the RN in reassessment of the patient's condition and takes appropriate action as indicated or by unit specific policy.
• Involve the patient/family and other health care providers when appropriate.
• Completes patient care related activities within schedule time periods.
• Complies with completeness, accuracy and timeliness of documentation on O.R. Count Sheet as well as Surgical Site Identification/Verification Checklist.
• Maintains a collaborative relationship with physicians and other health care providers to achieve desired patient outcomes and assure a continuous flow of patient care.
• Communicates pertinent information for interdisciplinary patient care conferences, shift reports.
• Reports changes in the OR schedule, including the need to reassess the needs of the physicians or the OR staff, confer with the OR CNC when there is a need to alert the physician.
• Participate in the performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer services.
• Assists in data collection process as requested.
• Recommend modifications for performance improvement.
• Demonstrates leadership abilities by utilizing the concepts inherent to the practice of the credo standards.
• Demonstrates an ability to solve problems independently and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
• Maintains accountability for actions taken.
• Effectively functions as a resource person.
• Acts as a patient advocate.
• Performs effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students.
• Assists in maintaining/decreasing organizational/department costs.
• Assists in the department's compliance with State, JCAHO, OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
• Participates in preparation for continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
• Adheres to the infection control process, including universal precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
• Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies.
• Utilizes two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
• Assumes appropriate code team role during code situations, including internal and external.
• Functions as the scrub member of the surgical team.
• Obtains necessary instruments and supplies from Central Service.
• Performs duties/responsibilities as a central service technician as necessary or assigned.
• Arranges sterile setup for each specific operative procedure coordinating with surgeon preference.
• Updates physician preference cards.
• Assists in moving, lifting and positioning the patient.
• Identifies patient appropriate surgical procedure and site by following policy for the surgical site ID.
• Assists the surgeon in performing the surgical procedure.
• Handles specimens appropriately.
• Performs OR counts accurately and takes appropriate action in response to incorrect counts.
• Maintains the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the surgical team.
• Assists with the cleaning and setting up of surgical cases.
• Follows the principles of asepsis, reporting any breaks in aseptic technique and rectifying the situation
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Successful completion of a surgical technology program.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• One (1) year surgical scrub experience preferred.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Act 81 Compliance
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program (can acquire within six (6) months of hire or transfer in unit)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.