Surgical Technologist, Certified

Certified Surgical Technologist

The Certified Surgical Technologist assists the surgeon during operative and invasive procedures. The CST ensures that the operating suite is adequately prepared for procedure, monitors PAR level of all surgical instruments and supplies, and cleans and sterilizes all surgical instruments. Compliance with rules and regulations of all applicable federal, state and local laws as well as PMHC policies is a condition of employment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interacts professionally with patient and family.
• Provides patient with explanations and verbal reassurance, as necessary.
• Notifies appropriate licensed staff when patient complains of pain.
• Adapts procedures to meet individual needs of neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients for treatment.
• Prepares room in a timely manner with all anticipated instruments, sutures, supplies and equipment for each individual surgical procedure.
• Demonstrates competence in care of specimens and accurately handles specimens at all times.
• Assists in positioning, prepping and draping of patients for surgical procedures.
• Accurately completes operating room counts (instruments, sponges, needles); follows proper procedure in the event of incorrect count; reports all discrepancies to Circulating RN and surgeon and/or corrects immediately.
• Carries out medical/surgical asepsis during treatments/procedures.
• Maintains safe environment for patient, co-workers and self, per hospital policies and procedures.
• Checks all equipment/instruments needed, prior to each procedure to ensure proper functioning.
• Protects patient's sensitivities and right to privacy; closely observes patient with minimal disturbance.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity.
• Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
• Follows aseptic technique, when opening sterile supplies and setting up procedures.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Sets up, scrubs and prepares for procedures at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled time, unless otherwise directed by Circulating RN or Nurse Manager.
• Performs services requiring technical or manual skills under the direction of Circulating RN.
• Always maintains an orderly and sterile instrument table for the purpose of efficiency; follows department standard set up.
• Passes instruments and supplies to the surgeon during the procedure.
• Anticipates needs of surgeon during intra-operative phase.
• Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.
• Passes colonoscope or EGD as directed by the surgeon/physician.
• Cleans and prepares rooms between procedures and after last case; restocks supplies, when necessary and organizes effectively for end-of-case clean up.
• Is fully responsible for care of instruments/equipment/scopes during intra/postoperative phase, including cleaning and processing of instruments/scopes.
• Follows written procedures for steam sterilization; knows responsibilities and the necessity for chemical and biological monitoring.
• Works in sterile processing department as assigned.
• Consults with other staff members, when in question or unfamiliar with equipment or procedure.
• Regularly collaborates with other members of the nursing team, in order to maintain equipment and supplies for surgical procedures.
• Completes documentation within shift and meets current standards, policies and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationship with co-workers for the patient's benefit.
• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of facts and good judgment within the Certified Surgical Technologist's scope of practice.
• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of assigned case and instruments and/or trays to be pulled for the procedure.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reports directly to the Supervisor of Surgical Services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, climb or balance, and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision absolutes required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

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 the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, employees frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and risk of electrical shock. The employee occasionally works with explosive, toxic, or caustic chemicals. The level of risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens is Classification I, as outlined in the Hepatitis B Vaccine Program Policy. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

REQUIRED EDUCATION

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (G.E.D.)
• Graduate of a Surgical Technology Program.

COMPETENCIES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Current certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
• Current BLS Certification.

Shift: Varied daytime shifts between 6a-6p, 40 hours, 4-5 days per month and every 6th weekend call rotation, holiday call rotation