Surgical Technologist

Surgical Technologist

Children's National surgery center performs nearly 17,000 procedures each year on infants, children and adolescents, including kidney transplants, scoliosis, hernia repairs, and procedures to treat disorders and abnormalities of the esophagus and trachea. Other special services include corneal implants and cataract surgeries, and we specialize in cochlear implant for the ear. Children's surgeons perform laser surgery and employ many types of minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy and thoracoscopy.

Surgical Services at the main hospital campus is equipped and available to provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week surgical care and consists of 17 Operating Rooms and 2 procedure rooms.

Children's National has a world-class team of pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and support staff who have developed a variety of programs designed with children in mind. One of our newest additions is the DaVinci robot and MRI suite.

The Surgical Technologist (ST) is an integral member of the surgical team. As a member of this multidisciplinary team, the ST will collaborate with team members to facilitate integrated and comprehensive care in the peri-operative environment. This position works under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse/circulating nurse. The ST functions in the scrub role providing assistance to the operating surgeon and assistants, preparing for the procedure and cleaning up afterward. The ST will demonstrate good peer and physician relationships to ensure high quality of patient care and to demonstrate professionalism in practice.

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or GED (Required)
• Graduate of a surgical technologist program or OR training program (Required)

Minimum Work Experience:

• Surgical Technologist experience (Preferred)
• Sterile Processing experience (Preferred)

Required License and Certifications

• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (Required)
• Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of aseptic technique.
• Human relations and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate a surgical conscience at all times.
• Collaborate with RN and physicians in developing a plan of care for each patient
• Assists in the setup of the operative field with equipment, instrumentation and supplies. Assures all equipment is functioning before use.
• Ability to identify the basic surgical instruments by type, function and name.
• Understands the importance of verification of exposure to sterilization process, checking the integrity of sterile packaging, and opening of appropriate supplies
• Ability to identify major types of surgical intervention materials (i.e. catheters, drains, sheeting material, grafting material, sutures, stapling devices) their preparation and usage in specific surgical procedures.
• Demonstrates anatomical and physiological knowledge for specified surgical procedures.
• Maintains a safe, organized, clean, and comfortable environment for patients and co-workers.
• Demonstrated the ability to perform basic calculations (add, subtract, multiply, and divide).
• Uses supplies and disposables in a cost-effective manner to avoid waste
• Supports the initiation and / or maintenance of preference cards to keep current
• Serves as a clinical resource to support and develop peers

Functional Accountabilities

• Demonstrates competency as a Surgical Technologist
• Collaborates with RN and physician to develop a plan of care for each patient.
• Prepare the Operating Room for surgical procedures; open supplies and equipment on the sterile field based on the surgical procedures and child's age.
• Identify and prepare basic sterile packs and trays.
• Scrubs for routine and complex procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of anatomy, procedures, instrumentation, equipment and supplies by anticipating the surgical needs at the field.
• Demonstrates knowledge of process/procedure. Exhibits knowledge and ability to expertly identify, prepare, and operate standard and specialty equipment (drills, OR table, Jackson table, microscopes).
• Demonstrates competent equipment operation, specific to area of service, during initial orientation, as new equipment is acquired, and annually if designated as a department competency.
• Uses the appropriate method for care and handling of surgical instruments.
• Anticipates needs of the surgical team.
• Demonstrates dexterity and correctly passes instrumentation, supplies, medications and specimens to surgical team.
• Hands medications, irrigation solutions, and flushes to surgeon within the sterile field.
• Demonstrated good problem solving techniques related to supplies, instruments, equipment etc. in a timely organized manner
• Demonstrated the principles of aseptic technique.
• Maintains proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
• Follow principle of correct hand scrub, gown and glove self and intra-operative team members.
• Pass correct instrumentation, supplies, as needed by the surgical team.
• Prepare irrigation solutions, medications, flushes, and hemostatic agents (i.e. thrombin, floseal etc.) as needed by the surgical team

Demonstrates the knowledge of risk and safety issues and uses measures to ensure optimal outcomes

• Actively participates in Universal Protocol and timeout, including the fire risk assessment with the surgical team prior to the start of the surgical procedure according to hospital policy guidelines.
• Validates surgical implants with RN and Surgeon.
• Understands purpose of positioning devices and uses them correctly, following policy, to protect the patient from injury and to promote optimal exposure.
• Handles all "sharps" in a safe and protective manner in consideration of self and others in supportive roles such as RTA's, RTS's, environmental services and SPD staff.
• Follows established policies and procedures for surgical counts; initiates corrective action when counts are incorrect.
• Verifies medications, concentrations, expiration dates of all medication received on the sterile filed in concert with RN and Anesthesia provider.
• Verifies specimens at the end of each case following policy
• Speak up when a team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
• Stop in the face of uncertainty and take time to resolve the situation
• Continuously verify and validate information needed for decision making
• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication
• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors, and co-worker
• Pay attention to detail, practice STAR - Stop, Think, Act, Review
• Assists the surgical team with emergency situations.
• Apply the correct technique of disinfection and follow manufacturer protocol
• Utilize the appropriate sterilizer for sterilization purposes (i.e. immediate use sterilization vs. washer sterilizer)
• Maintain surveillance of sterilization: maintain and monitor the daily records and indicators; follow recall procedures

Demonstrates actions that exhibit accountability and professional judgment

• Exercise safe judgment in decision making.
• Arrives to the unit on time
• Handles difficult situations appropriately
• Utilizes down time constructively
• Complies with departmental policies and procedures
• Able to identify own learning needs. Seeks out opportunities to meet needs and attend all required meeting/in-services/programs
• Consistently participates in staff meeting and in-services to improve skills
• Applies education and training from internal in-services to daily work to enhance personal knowledge and skills
• Completes, documents, and reports all mandatory education and training

Benefits That Support You:

• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.
• Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
• Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental