Certified Surgical Technologist

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)

Position Overview:

The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) is a health care professional who provides specific services in the Surgery Department under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The CST is active in the patient care process and collaborates with the RN to deliver quality and safe health care. The CST understands the surgery environment and patient care process. They provide care while meeting physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and educational needs of the patient and family. The CST collaborates with the RN to modify the plan of care based on the needs of the patient and reports changes in the patient's condition to the RN.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Keeps updated on current patient care practice, medications, and legal issues.
• Follows best practice recommendations including but not limited to: AORN, AST, Perioperative Guidelines and organization wide policies and procedures.
• Works closely with the surgeon while recognizing surgeon preferences and preference card details.
• In coordination with the RN, assembles the necessary instruments, supplies, and equipment for the surgical procedure. Checks that all equipment is functioning properly before use. Notifies RN of defects, removes defective equipment from the patient care area, labels and documents defect and need for repair in order to maintain a safe environment.
• Practices safe site surgery techniques including but not limited to time out standard work and stops the line when safety issues or concerns with patient care occur.
• Performs sponge, needle, and instrument counts with the RN in accordance to policy/procedure.
• Consults with the RN to revise surgeon preference cards.
• Demonstrates an understanding of surgical Applies knowledge to set up cases by pre-operative scrubbing, gowning, gloving, instrumentation, sutures, assisting surgeons with gowning and gloving, draping patients, and/or assisting surgeon with draping; intra-operative coordinating and passing of instrumentation and being alert to the needs of the surgeon, post-operative drape removal from patient, removal of contaminated instruments and transport to the decontamination room for processing, safe disposal of all sharps, and proper disposal of trash and linen.
• Is constantly vigilant to the safety needs of the patient and takes necessary precautions as warranted.
• Follows recommended infection control/prevention procedures.
• Follows department specific policies, procedures, standard work and assists in updating the standard work content as needed.
• Understands 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 vigilant for maintenance of the sterile field.

Department Specific Requirements:

• Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.
• Assists other members of team with terminal cleaning of room.
• Assists in prepping room for the next patient.
• Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out procedure.
• Secures tubing, cords, and other sterile accessories.
• Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents, and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure.
• Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.
• Sponges or suctions the operative site.
• Applies electrocautery to clamps on bleeders.
• Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon.
• Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
• Prepares and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate.
• Review the patient's chart, identifies patient, verifies surgery to be performed with consent forms, and brings the patient to the assigned operating room.
• Assists with transferring patient to the operating room table.
• Monitors the comfort of the patient and provides verbal and tactile reassurance to the patient.
• Assists with positioning the patient, using appropriate equipment and anatomical principles to avoid patient injury.
• Assists with applying tourniquets and monitors before the procedure.
• Anticipates additional supplies needed during the procedure.
• Attends focus board and mandatory staff meetings and completes educational requirements of Winona Health.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No direct reports

Skills and Experience:

Required:

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist program
• Certified as a Surgical Technologist by the National Board of Surgical Technology and/or the Association of Surgical Technologists
• BLS Certification
• Verbalizes role in codes
• Basic computer skills: Word, Excel, Outlook, and Patient Information Database (Cerner)

Summary of Benefits at Winona Health:

At Winona Health, we are dedicated to offering a comprehensive and affordable benefits package for our employees and their families. While benefits may vary based on employment classification and job status, the following key benefits are available:

Health Insurance: Options for medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as mental health support and wellness incentives Income Protection: Short and long-term disability, plus additional benefits like accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal assistance, and identity protection plans Retirement Planning: Access to a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions once eligibility requirements are met Work/Life Balance: Flexible scheduling, paid time off, and earned sick time to support personal well-being Education & Development: Paid training, tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and sponsored seminars to foster both personal and professional growth Employee Discounts: Special offers with local businesses, including the YMCA and cell phone providers

For more details or specific information, visit our website or contact Human Resources

Internal Applicant Policy:

It is the policy of Winona Health to work with employees in an equitable fashion regarding promotions, transfers, and position reclassifications. Any employee wishing to apply for another available position at Winona Health must submit an application for consideration through the internal application portal. Employees requesting to change positions should have successfully completed at least six (6) months in their current position. Employees currently in the formal disciplinary process may be required to meet with the Director of Human Resources to determine eligibility to request transfer. The employee's past performance, experience, training and qualifications will be considered in transfer/hiring decisions. Consideration for transfer or promotion is not a guarantee of transfer or promotion. Employees may be given a chance to interview for a position when they meet the minimum position qualifications.

Disclaimer:

Winona Health is an equal opportunity employer. Winona Health does not refuse to hire, discharge, or discriminate against a person with respect to tenure, compensation, terms, upgrading, conditions, facilities, or privileges of employment because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local discrimination commission, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other prohibited basis of discrimination under applicable local, state, or federal law. Winona Health does not tolerate retaliation against any employee, patient/resident, physician, or other individuals pursuing concerns regarding Civil Rights issues. Winona Health adheres to ALL pertinent governmental policies and legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, as amended, and the Minnesota Human Rights Act.