Certified Surgical Tech

Job Title

Surgical Technologist

Summary of Essential Functions

Provides an advanced level of direct and indirect patient care, and works intraoperatively with the surgeon, anesthesia provider, registered nurse and other team members. Demonstrates advanced level of knowledge/skills base in delivery of quality patient care. Respects patient rights, dignity and confidentiality.

Educational Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent. Graduate from accredited Surgical Technology Program preferred, or High School graduate or equivalent that has previous experience as scrub tech and has passed the national AST certification. Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Certifications

Current certification in Basic Life Support (CPR). Certification as Surgical Technologist.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Ability to provide advanced level of age-specific care to the child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient. Ability to apply the principles of asepsis, and assumes responsibility for the sterile field and instrumentation. Ability to perform competently in all specialties, and demonstrates expertise in a specific specialty. Ability to identify emergency, urgent or critical situations and respond in a calm and efficient manner. Maintains current knowledge base and seeks new learning experiences. Provides safe, quiet, efficient environment for patient and OR team. Exhibits organizational skills and manual dexterity that provide an economy of time, motion and supplies. Prioritize functions.

Physical Requirements

Lengthy periods of standing. Move gurneys, carts and equipment. Assist with the positioning of surgical patients for surgery. Carrying and lifting instrument sets (trays) and various items of equipment. Medium strength requirement: exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly. Involves minimal temperature and moderate noise level changes. Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and hand-to-eye coordination. Corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

Duties and Responsibilities

Exhibits high level of teamwork and cohesiveness when interacting with co-workers and members of the health care team in order to provide safe, quiet, efficient environment for patient and OR team. Exhibits organizational skills when assisting with the planning and implementation of the of the nursing care plan including utilization of correct "pick" sheet and knowledge of anatomy in order to assemble appropriate resources necessary for individualized patient care. Uses supplies judiciously. Demonstrates knowledge of surgical procedures and principles of correct body alignment and incorporates knowledge into planning of care delivery. Understands necessity for maintaining patient body temperature and is knowledgeable about thermoregulatory devices. Applies the principles of asepsis in a knowledgeable manner and checks all sterile supplies for package integrity prior to opening and utilizes principles of aseptic technique when handling /opening supplies for a procedure. Maintains aseptic environment during the perioperative period. Demonstrates proper care, handling and assembly of instruments for a variety of procedures and knowledge of suture materials and appropriate needles necessary for a variety of basic and specialty procedures, taking into account patient's and surgeon needs. Utilizes knowledge and skills to anticipate the needs of the surgeon and operative team in a variety of procedures, adjusting plan of care as need arises. Verifies patient allergies before accepting or passing medications, drugs or solutions and appropriately labels all medications, drugs and/or solutions received on sterile field and identifies all appropriately when passing to surgeon or assistant. Quickly and efficiently cares for instruments and supplies after procedure in order to minimize case turn-over time and maximize productivity. Appropriately cares for instruments and equipment to avoid damage, loss or missing inventory. Exhibits high level of responsibility and understanding of surgical conscience by correcting breaks in aseptic technique and other problems affecting patient safety. Adheres to Standard Precaution Protocol to minimize cross-contamination for safety of patients and team members. Appropriately handles regulated medical wastes, soiled linen and sharps according to policy. Performs all other tasks/responsibilities as necessary.