Lead Certified Surgical Technologist - Ortho

Surgical Technologist

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Summary: The Surgical Technologist is that part of the Operating Room team who provides and performs technical skills under the direct supervision of a physician or a registered nurse. This person assists the registered nurse in creating a safe supportive and comforting environment for the patient in surgery. The Surgical Technologist Lead provides surgical assistance during the procedures and performs technical skills under the direct supervision of the surgeon commensurate with his or her training and skill level. This person additionally may assist the registered nurse in creating a safe supportive and comforting environment for the patient in surgery.

Responsibilities:

1. Meets patients' surgical needs.

a. Sets up surgical back table with appropriate instrumentation, supplies and drapes for specified procedure.

b. Utilizes surgeon preference cards in conjunction with circulating nurse to pull surgical cases.

c. Provides proper and accurate instrument, sponge and sharp counts as prescribed by policy.

Surgical suites are properly prepared and ready to receive patients according to surgical procedure and surgeon. Instrument, sponge and sharp counts will be accurate and performed according to policy. Patients will be prepped, draped and prepared for surgery with regard for privacy, modesty and sterility

2. Ensures a safe, secure surgical environment.. Ensures all sharps, instruments and sponges are properly counted and then disposed of according to policy.

a. Checks all equipment prior to use in conjunction with circulator to ensure proper functional ability. Reporting any defective or broken. instruments or equipment.

b. Maintains universal precautions.

c. Assists housekeeping in cleaning rooms between cases.

d. Uses personal protective equipment in handling all contaminated items and for each surgical procedure.

e. Maintains traffic patterns. Universal precautions are always utilized. Infection control policies are observed. Rooms are clean and equipment is inspected prior to each procedure. All sharp, instrument and sponge count results are documented according to policy. Corridors remain clear and unobstructed.

3. Maintains a sterile field.. Scrubs hands according to policy.

a. Ensures the integrity of all sterile items is intact prior to use.

b. Gowns and gloves in a sterile manner.

c. Sets up back table and sterile field according to policy.

d. Preps and drapes patient according to surgical procedure.

e. Remains in a sterile field of performance.

f. Observes surroundings continually.

Sterile standards are always upheld. The integrity of the sterile field is not compromised

4. Nurtures and refines professional skills.. Attends in-service classes on all new equipment and items introduced into the OR.

a. Is self-motivated to observe surgical procedures not familiar with.

b. Takes down sets to learn instrumentation.

c. Reviews standards of sterility as required.

d. Maintains current licensure as applies.

Professional skills will be maintained at the highest standard. Initiative and motivation are expected.

5. Cleans and decontaminates instrumentation for sterilization. . Operates washer / decontaminator to remove gross contaminates from instruments.

a. Manually washes instruments that are unsuitable for washer/ decontaminator.

b. Uses PPE in handling instruments.

c. Checks instruments for cleanliness prior to wrapping for sterilization.

Instruments are clean and free of contaminants. Instrument sets are properly arranged and wrapped. Sharps are disposed of according to policy. Hazardous waste is disposed of in proper containers.

6. Prepares Instruments for sterilization.. Checks instruments to ensure proper functioning.

a. Ensures instruments sets are complete.

b. Lubricates instruments as required.

c. Replaces and reports defective instruments.

d. Wraps sets according to policy.

e. Runs and monitors biological indicators for autoclaves documenting results and steris.

Instruments are free of defects. Sets are complete, wrapped and properly processed. Autoclaves are tested and functioning appropriate. Cold sterilization fluids are monitored and effective with proper documentation of such.

7. Maintains and provides sterile area and supplies. Monitors sterile supplies for continuity.

a. Monitors biological indicators of flashed sterilized item.

b. Checks expiration dates of medications, instrumentation and supplies as needed with event related sterility.

c. Flash sterilizes instruments as required.

d. Maintains documentation of autoclave / Steris uses.

Sterile supplies are intact. All items are within expiration date standards. Flash items are sterilized according to policy. Autoclave / Steris log documents uses

8. Assists in maintaining cost efficiency stock. Monitors supply and demand of items used in conjunction with O.R. Materials Coordinator.

a. Orders in-house stock.

b. Maintains stock medications, monitoring usage and charges.

Cost efficiency is the focus of supply in the OR. Staff members of the OR are aware of cost-containment. Lead Role Responsibilities.

c. Oversight of the specialties instrument trays. Working as team with sterile processing and surgeons to develop or make needed changes. Ensure streamlining of trays, improve workload of department, and ensure surgeon needs are met.

d. Oversight and access to assist with surgeon preference cards. Working with surgeon and manager to ensure changes to cards are made. Ensuring cards are correct and ensuring other teammates are prepared when in case.

e. Communicating with surgeons to ensure understanding of needs and work on improvements for patient care.

f. Performing specialty cases to support surgeons to provide patient care.

g. Oversight of specialty supplies, working with supply chain, looking ahead to procedures scheduled. Communicating with supply chain on needed items. Oversight of supplies to ensure items are not expiring, assisting in rotation of supplies.

h. Training new and untrained staff in the specialty area. Ensuring that new staff have all necessary supplies, understand patient positioning, equipment, and instruments. Building up coworkers to make strong teams for surgeons to ensure excellent patient care.

i. Oversight of education for specialty, working with educators as well as reps for new equipment. Identifying areas of opportunity for staff for improvement.

j. Attend specialty meetings as indicated or education sessions to improve patient care.

Other information:

EDUCATION

1. High School graduate. 2. Graduate of approved operating room course for surgical technologist.

EXPERIENCE

Previous experience preferred but not required.

LICENSURE/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION

CPR Certification. Certification from National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA), Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) required, or National Board Surgical Technology