Certified Surg Tech - CST-OR

Surgical Technologist Operating Room

Assist surgeons during surgical procedures by anticipating surgeon needs to make sure the procedure is executed as smoothly and efficiently as possible. They prepare and organize the operating room, clean and sterilize equipment, and maintain a sterile environment.

Location/Facility: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Brenham

Specialty/Department/Practice: General OR

Status/Shift: Full time, Day Shift Schedule: 8 hour shifts (6:30am - 3pm) with 7-8 days call a month

Essential Functions Of The Role

• Discuss any special needs with the surgeon before surgery and scrubs into surgery in an adequate time for proper preparation of instruments before the surgeon scrubs in.
• Prepares the operative site by aseptically cleaning and patient clipping, as needed.
• Prepares and maintains the instrument table(s) in an organized and comprehensive manner to avoid damage to instrumentation as well as incorrect needs or instrument counts.
• Identifies damaged or incomplete trays, rectifies discrepancies immediately, or contacts those that can help in order to avoid delays or injury.
• Sets up the operating room according to surgical procedure schedules; arranges sterile set up of instrument table supplies and equipment required for specific procedure, carefully selecting and opening only needed supplies.
• Ensures the proper functioning of surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies during surgical procedures.
• Performs surgical counts of sponges, sharps, instruments, and misc. items, according to established policies and procedures.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon and surgical team staff.
• Passes sterile supplies and equipment to surgeons and assistants during procedures, holds retractor devices, and acts to anticipate and respond to the surgical team's needs during course of surgery.
• Assists the surgical team with draping and positioning the patient.
• Receives surgical specimens following specimen protocol, and passes the specimen(s) off the sterile field to circulating nurse, verifying source of specimen.
• Assists with placement of surgical dressings to operative site following surgical case completion.
• Disassembles surgical instrumentation as indicated at end of the procedure, recycles as indicated, and appropriately disposes of sharps, fluids, and waste at end of the surgical procedure.
• Prepares soiled instrumentation for proper transportation to decontamination area.
• Ensures the cleaning, decontamination, sterilization, maintenance, and preparation of surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies for distribution.
• Cleans the operating room following each case, and returns equipment to appropriate storage areas.
• Follows infection control policies, Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Guidelines for Perioperative Practice, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, and other regulatory requirements in order to assure a safe work environment for self, coworkers, and patients.
• Ensures proper orientation and knowledge of all equipment and instrumentation prior to patient use.
• Maintains inventory of clean and sterilized surgical equipment, instruments and supplies in accordance with established policies and procedures and regulatory standards.
• Collaborates and maintains control of maintenance of inventory; orders supplies, documents equipment use and cart supplies, and maintains applicable records and files.

Key Success Factors

• Knowledge of infection prevention and regulatory sterilization standards.
• Knowledge of the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique.
• Knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures and implementation tools and technologies to assist surgeons with invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills to interact with surgical and central sterile processing team members.
• Occasional exposure to chemical and radiation hazards.

Qualifications

Education: Grad of an Accredited Program

Experience: Less than 1 Year of Experience

Certification/License/Registration: Basic Life Support (BLS): BLS or BLS within 30 days of hire or transfer. Cert Surgical Technologist (CST): CST from NBSTSA or NCCT OR Completion of formal training in ST from Military /Public Health Service OR Employed in ST role in a Healthcare facility prior to 9/1/2009. If one of the above is not held GAP and CST ARE required.