Certified Surgical Technologist

Surgical Technologist

Responsible for aiding the professional nurse or physician in providing optimal patient care, addressing age specific needs, in the assigned single operating room in a surgical technologist capacity. Responsible for providing patient care for assigned shift as scheduled. Assembly of supplies needed for surgical procedures specific to Resource Maps/Preference Cards when necessary. Under the supervision of the Nurse Manager. Employee is subject to call back and overtime as required by the hospital.

Essential Job Functions:

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of principles of asepsis ensuring that proper techniques and practices are maintained, in providing age-specific patient care.
• Identifies needed supplies and prepares equipment, packs, and room for patient and procedure, addressing age-specific patient care needs.
• Scrubs, gowns and gloves self and physician for surgical procedures.
• Assists with handling, passes instruments correctly and insures their proper functionality and storage.
• Insures correct sponge, needle and instrument counts.
• Insures proper handling of all lab and tissue specimens according to established protocol.
• Assumes responsibility for proper handling, sterilization and stocking of supplies as needed.
• Relieves on cases at or during change of shift, breaks, or meal times, following correct protocol, to insure continuity of care.
• Assists with table and room clean up following procedure, and prepares room for the next procedure within scheduled allocated times.
• Has access and handling of medications deemed necessary for procedures in the operating room.
• Performs related responsibilities as required or directed.

Job Specifications:

Education:

- Completion of nine month to one year approved course in surgical technology.

Licensure, Registration, Certification:

- Certification as a Surgical Technologist required.

- Current BLS Certification to be obtained during orientation period and maintained throughout employment.

- Certification through a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), and the Council on Occupational Education (COE).

Experience:

- Ability to scrub during surgical cases as acquired through three months of departmental orientation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Skill and proficiency in the technical field of surgical technology as normally acquired through completion of an accredited program.

- Knowledge of hospital and department policies and procedures, surgical procedures, instruments, equipment, documentation policies and knowledge of documentation programs.

Interpersonal Requirements:

- Interpersonal skills in frequent interaction with patients and personnel.

- Communication skills with physicians during surgical procedures on a continuous basis.

- Contributes to a positive work environment and the overall team effort of the department.

Direction/Supervision Requirements:

- N/A

Physical Demands:

- Ability to perform frequent moderate to heavy lifting with assistance (minimum of 50 pounds) and transporting of patients, supplies, and equipment.

- Prolonged periods of standing and walking on a continuous basis of up to seven or more hours in an eight hour period.

Environmental Conditions:

- May be exposed to communicable diseases and bio-hazardous materials.

- Frequent exposure to anesthesia gases, fumes, odors, biological, mechanical, electrical, chemical, x-ray, and laser hazards.

- Routine exposure to latex products.

- Routine occupational exposure.

Other Job Requirements:

- Works well under pressure.

- Understands patient satisfaction is a top priority and is flexible and accommodating to meet the patient's needs and protect patient's dignity.

- Understands and adheres to West Tennessee Healthcare's compliance standards as they appear in the Compliance Policy, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest Policy.

- Assumes responsibility for insuring continued professional growth.

- The employee is expected to adhere to all WTH policies and procedures.

- Ensures the proper segregation and safe disposal of hazardous pharmaceutical waste.

Nondiscrimination Notice Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.