Surgical Technician

Description

JOB SUMMARY: Facilitates the operative or other invasive procedure by preparing and providing the required sterile instruments, supplies and equipment. Maintains the sterile field and anticipates and responds to the needs of the surgical team.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
2. Function as a scrub person during operative and other invasive procedures by
   1. Assembling supplies and equipment required for the procedure;
   2. Preparing and organizing sterile supplies and instruments for the procedure;
   3. Performing accounting procedures in concert with the RN circulator;
   4. Assisting with placement of sterile drapes;
   5. Providing instruments and supplies to the surgical team during the procedure;
   6. Maintaining an organized sterile field;
   7. Ensuring sterility of the field and taking corrective actions as needed; and
   8. Preparing sterile dressings.
3. Clean and prepare surgical instruments for processing and transport them to the decontamination areas.
4. Assist with postprocedural cleaning of the operative or other invasive procedure room and preparation of room for subsequent patients.
5. Participate in ongoing educational and competency verification activities applicable to scrub person activities.
6. Maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE, REGISTRATION:

1. Level 1:
   1. Associate's degree in Surgical Technology from an accredited program OR
   2. Graduate of a Military Training Program in Surgical Technology OR
   3. Two (2) years of experience in an acute care hospital (in lieu of formal education).
2. Level 2:
   1. Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) OR
   2. Four (4) years of experience in an acute care hospital (in lieu of certification).
3. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

1. Level 1:
   1. Two (2) years of experience in an acute care hospital (if not meeting formal education requirements).
2. Level 2:
   1. Two (2) years of experience in an acute care hospital (if meeting CST certification requirement) OR
   2. Four (4) years of experience in an acute care hospital (in lieu of certification).
3. Basic computer skills (e.g., Microsoft® Word)

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Physically demanding, high-stress environment
2. Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals and other hazardous materials, radiation, and repetitive motions
3. Pushing and pulling heavy objects
4. Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients
5. Manual and finger dexterity
6. Hand and eye coordination
7. Standing and walking for extensive periods of time
8. Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds
9. Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range
10. Working under stressful conditions

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
2. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

1. Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form.
2. Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
2. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
3. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
4. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position involves potential exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals and other hazardous materials, radiation, and repetitive motions. Team members are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.

COMMENTS:

This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

SAFETY SENSITIVE:

This position is a Safety Sensitive Position. The essential functions, physical demands, and mental competencies of this job require the employee maintain the ability to work in a constant state of alertness in a safe manner.