Surgery Tech I

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, the Perioperative Services Surgical Scrub Technician’s primary responsibility is responsible for preparing the operating room, ensuring sterile conditions, and assisting surgeons and surgical teams during procedures. This role involves handling surgical instruments, maintaining aseptic techniques, and supporting patient safety throughout the surgical process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Prepare and set up operating rooms with necessary surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies.
2. Maintains operational knowledge of the operating room equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications. 
3. Prepare and maintain a sterile field and ensure proper aseptic techniques are followed.
4. Assist surgeons and surgical teams by passing instruments, sponges, sutures, and other sterile supplies.
5. Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after procedures to ensure accountability.
6. Position and drape patients to maintain aseptic techniques during procedures.
7. Operate sterilization and decontamination equipment for surgical instruments.
8. Anticipate the needs of the surgical team and respond promptly during procedures.
9. Handle specimens and ensure proper labeling and transport to the lab.
10. Assist with room turnover, cleaning, and restocking supplies between procedures.
11. Collaborate with nurses, anesthesiologists, and other OR staff to ensure a smooth surgical process.
12. Stay current with surgical techniques, procedures, and safety protocols.
13. Follows radiation safety policies as outlined by the NRC and Hospital’s Radiation Safety Committee.
14. Participate in Quality Improvement issues as required.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Communicate effectively with each patient and patient’s family to reduce stress.
2. Coordinates with specific department regarding transfer, admits and surgery.
3. Acts as a patient advocate for patient rights by initialing and maintaining confidentiality, privacy and safety for the patient. 
4. Knowledge of patients’ Bill of Rights.
5. Reports to work on time as scheduled.
6. Assumes accountability for work performed.
7. Supports and promotes safety standards, identifies risk situations and intervenes appropriately.
8. Knowledge and ability to apply ethical and legal principles to practice.
9. Functions within limits of hospital and nursing department policies and procedures.
10. Other duties as assigned from time to time.

1. Previous experience in a operating room setting is highly preferred; experience as a surgical technologist in a related field is acceptable.
2. Participates in educational conferences and updates and maintains professional knowledge and skills related to areas of responsibility.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

1. Current AHA BLS required upon hire. 
2. Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or equivalent certification preferred.
3. Specific orientation to the Perioperative Services department.

These certifications must be completed before the 90-day provisional period and must be completed prior to being assigned to full patient care in that area. 

AGE OF THE POPULATION SERVED: Adult to Geriatrics

Manual dexterity with fine motor ability to operate and handle equipment used in the department.

MENTAL REQUIREMENT:

Ability to follow written and oral instructions, must have the ability and desire to learn job functions outlined in the job description, must work as part of a team to achieve a common goal and must maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

SCHEDULING AND AVAILABILITY:

1. Scheduling is determined by patient care needs and includes weekends, holidays, nights, on-call, etc.

3. Shift and on-call assignments are modified to reflect department needs.

4. In staff emergencies, will be able to work on alternate shifts and/or rotating job schedules or similar activities, at intervals for limited periods of time as mandated by department needs.