Surgical Technologist Intern - CVOR

Surgical Technologist Assistant Internship

St. Joseph's Health (SJH) is a leader in cardiac care. A pioneer in prevention, detection and the treatment of heart disease, St. Joseph's performs more than 1000 open heart procedures per year. Expanded investments in this area include robotic and minimally invasive valve and coronary-artery bypass surgeries.

St. Joseph's is the only hospital in Central New York to provide transcatheter aortic valve replacement for higher-risk patients with aortic stenosis!

Two of our surgeons are also certified robotic cardiac surgery proctors (trainers) and have trained many surgeons and programs through the northeast in robotic techniques, including the Cleveland Clinic. Come learn with us and be a part of the best team in CNY!

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provides technical and clinical support to the perioperative team during a variety of surgical procedures. Performs duties as the primary scrub person by handling instrumentation, supplies and equipment. Anticipates the surgeon and procedural needs.

The internship will expose the Surgical Technologist Assistant to real time function of patient care in peri and intraoperative roles. The internship will initiate all hospital prerequisites, then start on departmental roles.

The internship positions will allow for flexibility regarding the Surgical Technology Program schedule, and may involve variable shifts, including weekends.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Be a current Surgical Technology student in good standing and making progress toward completion of program (> 10 months/ prerequisites complete per program director)
• Initiation of the internship requires an application to St. Joseph's Health and a letter of recommendation from the Surgical Technology program director, clinical instructor, or the St. Joseph's Health OR Department Educator stating good standing in an accredited program.
• Satisfactory program attendance is to be maintained to ensure continuance of internship.

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, SKILLS OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

The Surgical Technologist Assistant will need CPR/BLS certification, be certification eligible as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and eventually maintain CST certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND HAZARDS:

This is a clinical setting with exposure Class 1.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The intern must be able to lift 25 pounds frequently; and will be required to stand for periods of time, walk, sit, bend, twist, squat and reach

SUPERVISED BY:

CST Education Coordinator, Registered Nurse, CST Preceptor, OR Coordinator, OR Manager.

CAREER PATH:

This is an accelerated program to initiate hire as a Surgical Technologist at St. Joseph's Health.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

• Work with Patient Support Technicians with room turnovers, terminal cleaning, patient transport, running for blood.
• Central Sterile to learn decontamination, scope processing, tray organization, wrapping, sterilization, proper care and handling of sterile items.
• Learn the layout of CDS and the cardex system of organization to locate sterile items in CDS and in the cores. Learn to pick cases with the CDS system, pick instruments and alternative supplies for case carts.
• Pair up with CST and be in position to 2nd scrub, always immediately supervised by CST.
• May be utilized as a second scrub to hold hearts, retractors, cameras, etc.
• Learn room setup, how to operate and set up OR patient tables, neptunes, operate room lights, communication system.
• Use experience from central sterile/case picking experience to check cases prior to opening.
• Initially observe the flow and purpose of the activity of opening an OR for a surgical procedure
• Under direct supervision from CST and RN circulator, open sterile CDS packs, sterile instrument trays, peel pack items. Learn to balance classroom theory with real world practice/application.
• Perform surgical scrub, gown and glove. Perform basic setup skills (drape mayo, organize back table, check tray sterility, perform sponge counts.
• Demonstrate the ability to receive fluids and meds from circulator RN per hospital policy.
• Perform in the second scrub position. Be able to demonstrate knowledge of case, instruments. First-scrub basic laparoscopic cases with direct supervision from scrubbed CST. As more time is accrued, the Surgical Technologist Assistant intern will preferably only first scrub cases equivalent to their classroom clinical experience level.
• Cases that the student participate in, are not to be used in place of program requirements.
• Upon completion of the internship and hire as a Surgical Technologist at St. Joseph's Health, the Surgical Technologist Assistant Intern will comply with the Surgical Technologist role in the Operating Room.

Pay Rate: $18.00

Pay is based on experience, skills, and education. Exempt positions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will be paid within the base salary equivalent of the stated hourly rates. The pay range may also vary within the stated range based on location

Our Commitment:

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.