Certified Surgical Technologist

Surgical Technologist/Assistant

At Littleton Regional Healthcare (LRH), we are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees while fostering a workplace rooted in respect, teamwork, and service to our community. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.

Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plans (403(b) and/or 457(b)) with employer match eligibility
• Generous earned time off (ETO) and paid holidays
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Life insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities
• Wellness programs and additional employee resources

Benefit eligibility and offerings may vary based on employment status and position.

Summary And Essential Functions:

Following AORN standards: Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective and quality patient/family centered care in the operating room. Supports the mission, vision and values of the organization. Works under the direct supervision of the surgeon:

Surgical technologists handle the instruments, supplies and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. Has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon. Remains constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field. Surgical assistants provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. The surgical assistant performs these functions during the operation under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and in accordance with the hospital policy and appropriate laws and regulations.

Primary Responsibilities:

Surgical Technologist:

• Follows AORN standards
• Develop and implement plan of care utilizing the following interventions:
• Protect the patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, laser, positioning, thermal sources and extraneous objects.
• Perform counts following Hospital policy
• Perform interventions necessary to ensure patient's procedure is performed on the correct site and side. Be an active participant in the time-out procedure.
• Manage patient specimens in the appropriate manner.
• Label and handle medications/solutions appropriately.
• Perform interventions to protect the patient from infection.
• Sets up sterile table/field with instruments, supplies, equipment and medications/solutions needed for the procedure. Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during procedures. Passes instruments to surgeon during the procedure. Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal cleaning and sterilization.
• Assist with room turnover, including cleaning.
• Operate laser, as assigned, after orientation and successful completion of post test.
• Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as appropriate.
• Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects.
• Act as a patient advocate – protect patient's rights, dignity and privacy.
• Use problem and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members.
• Maintain required competencies. Attend required meeting and educational sessions.

Surgical Assistant:

• Positioning the patient
• Providing visualization of the operative site by:
• Appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding
• Packing with sponges
• Digital manipulation of tissue
• Suctioning, irrigating or sponging
• Manipulation of suture materials
• Proper use of body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeon's view
• Utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis
• Permanent
• Clamping and/or cauterizing vessels or tissue
• Tying and/or ligating clamped vessels or tissue
• Applying hemostatic clips
• Placing local hemostatic agents
• Temporary
• Applying tourniquets after demonstrating awareness of the indication/contraindications for use with knowledge of side effects of extended use.
• Applying vessel loops
• Applying non-crushing clamps
• Applying direct digital pressure
• Participating in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques as appropriate
• Using appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes
• Utilizing running or interrupted subcutaneous sutures with absorbable or nonabsorbable material
• Utilizing subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips
• Closing skin with method indicated by surgeon (suture, staples, etc.)
• Postoperative subcutaneous injection of local anesthetic agent as directed by the surgeon
• Selecting and applying appropriate wound dressings, including the following:
• Liquid or spray occlusive materials
• Absorbent material affixed with tape or circumferential wrapping
• Immobilizing dressing (soft or rigid)
• Providing assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue
• After orientation and successful post test, operation of laser when assigned

These standards have been approved by the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), American College of Surgeons (ACS), Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology(ARC/STSA) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Reports To: Director of Perioperative Services, Clinical Supervisor OR/CS, VP Patient Care Services

Supervises: None

Internal And External Contacts: Medical and Nursing staff, other Hospital departments, and the community.

Qualifications:

Experience/Specialized Skills: Two years recent scrubbing/assisting experience in an acute-care facility

Required Education/Course(s)/Training: Graduate of an accredited surgical technician program; graduate of a surgical assisting program accredited through Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST). Individuals trained in the armed forces of the United States will also be considered.

Preferred Certification/Registration: Certification must be conferred by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Certification within one year of hire or completion of accredited program. Certification must be maintained throughout employment. BCLS upon hire

Physical Demands:

Must be able to report to hospital within 30 minutes when on call. Physically demanding, high stress environment. Pushing and pulling heavy objects. Able to utilize full range of body motion, including handling and lifting patients. Manual and finger dexterity. Hand/eye coordination. Standing/walking for extensive periods of time. Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds. Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range. Working irregular hours including call hours.

Work Environment:

Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation and repetitive motions