Certified Surgical Technologist

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)

The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) assists in care of patients of all ages before, during and after surgical procedures by performing scrub duties and related functions as a member of the oral surgical team on a novice to advanced beginner level completing identified job competencies. Maintains patient safety, privacy and confidentiality. Complies with legal aspects of patient care. Complies with sterilization standards and standards for handling sharps or contaminated instruments. Participates in quality improvement activities and completes practice required education annually and as directed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• The CST works under the supervision of the clinical supervisor and medical staff to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and minimally invasive surgical procedures.
• This individual works to ensure that the procedure and/or operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety
• A CST possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• Performs assigned patient care tasks under the direction and supervision of the surgeon for procedural related tasks.
• Assesses and anticipates needed supplies for scheduled and emergent procedures, the need for comfort and safety measures for individual patients, and anticipates the needs of the surgeon to expedite the procedure by passing instruments, sponges and sutures.
• Prepares operating room according to a particular surgical procedure with the assistance of other personnel in accordance with procedures for disinfection of furniture and equipment.
• Exercises proper sterile technique, opens and arranges sterile field in accordance with accepted protocol for each surgical procedure to be performed, both routine and special procedures
• Utilizes equipment and supplies efficiently and assures replacement of medical & surgical supplies
• Daily and periodically checks, restocks, and inventories supplies (checks, rotates dated items and reorders supplies as assigned or as needed for surgery and other procedures within their practice).
• Displays dexterity in the use of surgical instruments and knowledge of the step-by-step process for the specific surgical procedure.
• Assists in performing and documenting equipment, drug and environmental checks as required by administrative and practice specific policies and regulatory agencies.
• Follows appropriate Infection Control policies and procedures
• Displays knowledge of decontamination, packaging and sterilization of instrumentation and supplies
• Completes on-going training as directed and within designated deadlines.
• Completes other duties as assigned when directed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates Degree, Vocational Certification, or Military experience
• Current BLS certification¹
• Infection control training¹
• Sterile processing certification/experience¹
• Dental Radiography certification²
• Successful completion of approved nitrous oxide course²
• IV/Phlebotomy certifcation²
• Anesthesia-related continuing education²

¹ Or obtained within 90 days of employment

² Or obtained within one year of employment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in oral & maxillofacial or perioperative sterilization & surgical procedures
• Certified by one of the following: Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTA) or Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C), National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)