Surgical Technician - Recruitment Incentive Authorized

Surgical Technician

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery & total joint replacement surgery.
• Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopic, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices and other operating room supplies and equipment.
• Plans and anticipates need for unique specialty equipment and instrumentation, hyperthermia equipment and fracture tables.
• Assures the surgical team of functioning equipment & assures proper lighting.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals & assures that all supplies & equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
• Prepares, organizes and maintains highly complex sterile surgical set-ups to facilitate type of surgical procedure.
• Maintains the sterility of the environment & independently plans for easy access to emergency instruments & equipment.
• Scrubs on complex surgical procedures utilizing strict aseptic techniques.
• Assists in preparation, positioning, & draping of patients to facilitate safe surgical intervention.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
• Proficient in handing instruments/equipment to the surgeon and anticipates the surgeon's needs during the procedure.
• Recognizes non-verbal signals by the surgeon and responds quickly and appropriately.
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Handles all specimens appropriately.
• Observes the surgical site continuously, remaining attentive for potential adverse situations/emergencies and breaks in sterile techniques/fields.
• Performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy in conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse.
• Responsible for the accountability of all surgical instruments & equipment during the surgical procedure.
• Reports correct/incorrect counts to the surgeon.
• Assumes joint responsibility with the surgeon for tissue specimens, culture and hardware, assuring that critical specimen information is transmitted to the circulating nurse.
• Assists in training residents, medical student, nursing students, operating room technology students and new Operating Room (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments & OR procedure to include the scrub role in surgical procedures.
• Independently recognizes and remedies errors in sterile technique.
• Provides guidance and support to other Surgical Technicians, professional and technical students of an approved surgical technology program.
• Lifts, moves and transports patients from surgical wards within the OR suite, recovery room and holding areas, assuring safe transport of the anxious, sedated/anesthetized patients. Safe transport includes being aware of drains, hemodynamic lines, IV's, pumps, catheters, and proper positioning and protection of the surgical wound and maintenance of O2 to support airway when indicated.
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions.
• Maintains complicated surgical equipment and instrumentation for assigned specialty areas, including inventory and establishment of levels for specialty supplies.
• Reviews and revises instrument sets to provide adequate instrumentation, deleting unnecessary items to avoid duplication.
• Assures that instruments are in good working order.
• Continually assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.
• Constantly updates knowledge of new surgical procedures and equipment.
• Recognizes potentially hazardous equipment situations; (i.e., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action.
• Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.
• Work closely with OR RN staff to develop educational programs for presentation to peers.
• Other duties as assigned.