Surgical Technologist

Job Summary
Under the supervision of the OR Team Leader or Charge nurse this position prepares and maintains medical equipment, instruments and supplies for surgical procedures, and assists with surgical patient care under the direction of an RN or physician. The surgical technician performs duties and tasks outlined in the Job Description: Surgical Technologist, published by the Association of Surgical Technologists ( escription.pdf)


Reports to: OR Team Leader


Additional Job Functions 1. Prior to surgery case, verifies supplies, equipment and instruments are readily available for procedure. 1.1 Pulls case materials accurately and completes checklists appropriately. 1.2 Communicates any noted deficiencies in equipment or supplies to the Team Leader or Charge RN. 1.3 Prepares room utilizing preference cards and resource people to maintain competency level 1.4 Independently prepares the operating suite/sterile field for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients for the intra-operative experience in core area. 1.5 Utilizes concepts of age/developmental stages in interactions with patients and families. 2. Participates in timeout process prior to every surgical case. 3. Performs activities based on principles of aseptic technique, infection control, universal precautions guidelines, environmental control, and life safety guidelines. 3.1 Anticipates needs of patient and surgeon in core area and call areas. 3.2 Demonstrates critical thinking skills, ability to prioritize activities and integrate experiences across core area and call areas when performing the scrub role. 3.3 Under supervision of an RN or physician, demonstrates ability to prepare medications for procedures. 3.4 Knows of routine drugs used intra-operatively, dosages, and/or concentration and appropriate route of administration. 4. Prepares and is knowledgeable about the specific uses of equipment, instrumentation and supplies used for surgical procedures 4.1 Inspects equipment and instruments for defects or breakage prior to case, during case and at end of procedure Page 2 of 3 Job Description - Surgical Technician 4.2 Immediately tags defective or malfunctioning equipment, and removes from service and delivers to appropriate location or person as indicated. 4.3 Ensures equipment incident form is completely filled out and submitted 5. Is competent in sterile processing processes and procedures. 5.1 Differentiates and demonstrates knowledge of sterilization methods required for instruments or equipment. 5.2 Reprocesses surgical instruments per manufacture IFU. 5.3 Functions independently in all areas of sterile processing, including decontamination. 6. Communicates and ensures that preference cards are accurate and updated. 6.1 Works collaboratively with OR team to ensure accuracy of cards 7. Acts professionally and respectfully to all members of the surgical team. 8. Demonstrates the spirit of the philosophy, mission, and values of the hospital through words and actions and implements them into departmental processes, programs, and the working environment. 8.1 Applies the principles and values of customer service and continuous quality improvement while performing day to day activities of the position. 8.2 Maintains and protects confidentiality regarding all aspects of patient care, personnel and strategic issues. Adheres to Confidentiality Policy. 8.3 Maintains positive working relationships and fosters cooperative work environment. Adheres to the hospital's Guidelines for Appropriate Conduct in the HR Manual. 8.4 Displays honesty and mutual respect when communicating with peers and other departments. 8.5 Follows through on problems that may compromise effective job performance by using appropriate chain of command. Minimum Requirements Education: High School Diploma or its equivalent; completion of accredited school of surgical technology or the equivalent in clinical surgery training and experience. Certification, Licensure: Current CPR certification; DORA registered Experience, Training, Knowledge: One (1) to three (3) years previous surgery experience in at least two (2) specialty areas preferred. Physical Requirements Position requires lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to fifty (50) pounds while administering patient care; stooping, kneeling and/or crouching; standing and walking five (5) or more hours per day; reaching, grasping, and handling and/or feeling five (5) or more hours per day. Visual acuity to correctly distinguish skin tone variations, evidence of IV infiltration, infection and to read telemetry, blood pressure gauges, etc; audio acuity to correctly distinguish various body sounds, i.e. respirators, heart sounds, bowel Page 3 of 3 Job Description - Surgical Technician sounds and to discern sounds made by various types of machinery or equipment which would indicate dangerous or improper operation. Working Conditions/Environmental Exposures Environmental hazards such as chemicals, solvents, needles, needle containers, sharps, blood, body fluids, various infectious/communicable diseases, infectious medical waste, radiation, and/or radioactive materials and/or radioactive waste, proximity to moving mechanical parts. Protective clothing/equipment may be necessary.