Surgery Technician

Scrub Role

The role of the Scrub is to provide direct and indirect care of patients in preoperative preparation and discharge areas and in surgery suites. This position provides patient care according to the anesthesia provider, physician or surgeon's orders complying with hospital policies and procedures and in conformance with recognized nursing techniques and procedures. This position helps maintain and update departmental policies, procedures and physician preference cards as necessary. This position also packages and processes instruments and supplies in the central sterile area as directed and as necessary. The scrub role may transport patients as directed.

Knowledge & Experience

Skills-

• Demonstrates ability to give and follow instructions accurately
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills necessary to interact with various levels of health care personnel
• Basic skills associated with operating room techniques and procedures

Knowledge-

• Must be able to act independently and make appropriate judgments within legal scope of practice
• Perioperative and central sterile procedures

Education-

• High school graduate
• Graduate of accredited program

Experience-

• Minimum of two (2) years of related experience preferred

Authority and Accountability

• Extensive exposure to confidential information or matters
• Frequent contact with various persons or groups within and outside of the hospital including employees, department managers, physicians, patients, visitors and outside agency personnel
• Must be able to work with and communicate with different types of people

Aptitudes

• Must be able to prioritize, utilize critical thinking, and adjust to change
• Must be able to reason and use logical problem-solving skills
• Performs duties that require some latitude for independent judgment and initiative in handling situations out of the ordinary
• Must be motivated, self-directed, flexible and willing to assume additional responsibilities as directed.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regular requirement to stand for long periods of time, sit, bend, kneel, crouch, and move intermittently; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands or arms; talk; and hear
• May have prolonged periods of standing
• Regular requirement to lift up to 30 pounds
• Frequent requirement to assist with lifting 50 or more pounds
• Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Speaking and listening skills are essential; must be able to hear and be understood on the telephone
• Must be able to work under a moderate amount of stress

ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate
• Work is performed in a clean, well-lighted and ventilated building
• Could be subject to infectious diseases, cuts, abrasions, burns, and punctures
• Work schedule may vary – mostly day shift
• Participates in call rotation schedule as directed

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Reports to the Surgical Services Director

QUALITY ASSURANCE-KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• SCRUB RESPONSIBILITIES
• Demonstrates knowledge of procedure - checks physician's preference card
• Demonstrates surgical scrub, gown and glove closed technique
• Sets up back table
• Drapes and sets up Mayo stand
• Utilizes Mayo cover appropriately
• Arranges instruments – varies with individual
• Sets up basins in ring stands
• Gowns and gloves team
• Assists with draping – holds drape high so don't they drag or touch field, watches his/her gown when handling drapes across field, keeps on top of drapes and drops into place, never pulls drapes up to area of incision (once in place it should not be moved), lets circulator remove contaminated drapes, cuffs drapes over gloved hands
• Foot drape
• Head sheet
• Square off towel
• Fenestrated drape
• Steri drape
• Sets up and is ready to go when surgeon is ready
• Demonstrates knowledgeable of instruments and their use
• Obtains appropriate suture and knows its usage
• Observes for breaks in sterile techniques and corrects them
• Counts sponges, needles, and instruments according to procedure
• Keeps sterile area together
• Passes instruments and suture to surgeons in appropriate manner
• Demonstrates that he/she has developed a "sterile" consciousness
• Anticipates surgeon's needs
• Demonstrates organization with mayo and instrumentation/ back table
• Upon completion of case
• Demonstrates proper removal of knife blade and disposal of needles
• Clears room following completion of case
• Puts all instruments, etc. in sink for cleaning
• Checks to make sure all instruments and clamps are off of linen
• Additional responsibilities as directed.
• CENTRAL STERILE RESPONSIBILITIES
• Demonstrates knowledge of cleaning procedure for instrumentation
• Demonstrates proficiency in instrument inspection and counting of trays
• Demonstrates appropriate wrapping of supplies
• Packs
• Instruments
• Trays
• Linen
• Stainless steel items
• Autoclave operation
• Vacuum cycle
• Gravity cycle
• Flash
• Record keeping for sterile processing
• Biological indicators
• Knowledge of event related policy
• Loading of autoclave
• Use of air removal pack
• Folding and inspection of linen
• ENDOSCOPIC CLEANING RESPONSIBILITIES
• Leak test and precleaning of gastroscope and colonoscope
• Use of automatic scope cleaning unit
• CHEMICAL DISINFECTION / STERILIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES
• Mixing of solution / outdate and disposal
• Uses – soak times / timer
• STERRAD RESPONSIBILITIES
• Biological
• Wrapping/Packaging
• Documentation
• Processing
• Disposal of cartridges

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Maintains a consistent positive attitude and provides effective, appropriate communication with not only patients and their loved ones but also with fellow employees and other customers we serve.
• Takes appropriate action in problem situations to offset adverse effects
• Projects a professional and positive attitude regarding the hospital

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrates competency in use of equipment