Surgical Technologist

Surgical Technologist

The Surgical Technologist works under the supervision of the perioperative nurse and the medical practitioner providing surgical/procedural care to patients. The Surgical Technologist facilitates the safe and effective conduct of invasive and/or surgical procedures, ensuring the operating/procedural room environment is safe and that the procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduate of a Surgical Technologist Program, LPN or on the job training
• Credentials: Oxygen Certification (Medication Aide Training Hospital based) required within 6 months of hiring. Update to be completed every 2 years.
• BLS required.
• Certification in Surgical Technology if eligible to take certification exam.
• Special Procedures ORT Completes SGNA Associates Program within 6 months of date of hire.

Work Environment

• Inside temperatures in operating rooms can become very warm due to the fact that caps, masks, and gowns must be worn. Floors may become slippery due to irrigation, blood, or body fluid spillage. The potential exists for exposure to blood and body fluids, radiation, waste anesthesia gasses, Formalin, lifting injuries, infectious diseases and exposure to ethylene oxide.
• Confined areas, long and variable hours.

Physical Demands

• Stand and/or walk constantly.
• Sit occasionally.
• Lift knuckle to waist height up to 50 pounds constantly.
• Lift waist to shoulder height up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Push/pull up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Carry up to 40 pounds up to 25 feet.
• Demonstrate visual acuity and color vision within normal limits for age and gender.
• Demonstrate fine motor and eye hand coordination within normal limits for age and gender.
• Reach floor to overhead frequently. Bend and stoop to floor frequently.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrates knowledge of anatomy, physiology, surgical procedures, cleaning, sterilization techniques, universal precautions, and aseptic techniques.
• Prepares instruments, supplies, endoscopes and equipment necessary during the surgical and invasive procedure. Prepares instruments etc. for high level disinfection or terminal sterilization.
• Understands the procedure being performed and skillfully anticipates the needs of the surgeon maintaining a high level of sterile technique during the procedure if applicable.
• Continues professional development by participating in education, training, in-services etc.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill to ensure quality patient care during the invasive/operative procedure, being constantly vigil for maintenance of the sterile field if applicable.
• Assures supplies and equipment needed for invasive/surgical procedures is present. Checks for integrity and sterility of the instrument sets and supplies as applicable.
• Performs appropriate counts with the circulator per GPRMC count policy.
• Assists other members of the team with cleaning of the room prepares the room for the next patient.
• Assist in preparation of the specimens. Sets up sterile table with instruments, supplies, equipment, and Labels medications/solutions needed for surgery procedure. Sets up a disinfected table for Invasive procedure performed in the Special Procedure Suite.
• Actively participates in the Universal Protocol process for patient and self safety.