Surgical Technologist

Surgical Technologist

Primary Job Responsibilities:

Prepares and maintains medical equipment for surgical procedures.

Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions.

Anticipates the needs of the surgical team.

Establishes and maintains sterile fields during surgical procedures in the operating room.

Ensures sterility of all supplies and instruments during setup surgical procedures.

Assists circulating nurses and surgical teams in maintaining a sterile environment.

Assists circulating nurses in gathering necessary surgical supplies and equipment.

Is responsible for doing sponge, needle, and instrument count pre-operatively and intra-operatively with the circulating nurse.

Gowns and gloves, surgeons and assistants.

Assists in keeping physician preference cards accurate/updated.

Retains all specimens to be sent to pathology, confirming source/name of specimen with surgeon.

Transports all surgical equipment to appropriate cleaning areas. Assists in sterile supply with cleaning and reprocessing instrument sets.

Interacts appropriately and effectively with all patients/others regardless of age or ethnic background.

Uses Standard Universal Precautions, appropriate hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and safe practices to ensure personal safety and a safe environment.

Assists with environmental hazard and infection control surveillance and participates in emergency preparedness drills.

Follows all equipment and safety guidelines and is responsible for knowledgeable use and care of equipment.

Serves as a resource to other members of the health care team.

Attends in-services, conferences, and meetings as required.

Communicates effectively and courteously with visitors, physicians, and their office staff, patients, and employees. Maintains patient, physician, and employee privacy and confidentiality per policy.

Maintains designated certifications such as CPR, as offered by the center.

Acts in accordance with the vision, mission, and business philosophy of the Center.

Complies with Policies and Procedures, and adheres to safety guidelines to ensure a safe work and patient care environment.

Follows facility regulations and industry procedures to tend to patients during pre-operation procedures.

Performs pre-operation preparations to the patient's skin, body, and medical equipment.

Assemble both sterile and non-sterile equipment, as well as adjust and check it to ensure it is working properly.

Get patients ready for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites.

Transport patients to the operating room, help position them on the operating table and cover them with sterile surgical "drapes."

Observe patients' vital signs, check charts, and assist the surgical team with putting on sterile gowns and gloves.

Pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgeon assistants.

Hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments. Help prepare, care for, and dispose of specimens taken for laboratory analysis and help apply dressings.

Operate sterilizers, lights, or suction machines, and help operate diagnostic equipment.

After an operation, help transfer patients to the recovery room and clean and restock the operating room.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Job Responsibilities: As needed by Surgical Services Manager

Education/Certification/Licenses:

High school graduate or equivalent.

Certification in OR Technology preferred.

Current certification in CPR preferred

Additional Requirements: As requested by Surgical Services Manager

Experience: Previous clinical experience in Operating Room environment desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients in the center.

Must demonstrate the knowledge of the principle of growth and development of the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his/her age specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the center's policies and procedures.

Demonstrates knowledge and skills in the nursing process.

Demonstrates the ability to utilize recognized channels of communication.

Demonstrates the ability to maintain good interpersonal relationships with patients, co-workers, and other health team members.

Work Environment:

The work environment- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee would encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.

This position works in an environment with moderate noise levels.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to bloodborne pathogens and chemical hazards.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to the risk of radiation.

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.

The employee must lift and/or move up to 30-40 pounds frequently and up to 100 pounds occasionally.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch.