Surgical Tech Certified - OR

JOB SUMMARY:

Under supervision of the Circulating Nurse, the Surgical Technologist prepares for scheduled procedures and arranges sterile set up of instrument tables according to established protocol. He/she assists surgeons by passing instruments and supplies, holding retractors and anticipating surgeons' needs during course of procedure. The surgical tech also cleans the operating room and stores equipment and supplies.

Shift: Full-time Day

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supports and maintains the Mission, Core Values and expected customer service behaviors of St. Joseph Medical Center.
2. Follows the St. Joseph Medical Center Guidelines related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), designed to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI).
3. Promotes a culture of safety for patients and Associates through proper identification, proper reporting, documentation and prevention of medical errors in a non-punitive environment.
4. Keeps current regarding developments in surgical equipment, trends and techniques, through in-service programs.
5. Scrubs for cases according to established sterile procedures; dons sterile gown and gloves, and assists surgeons as needed.
6. Prepares for scheduled operative procedure by arranging sterile set up of instrument table with supplies, instruments and sutures required for specific procedures according to surgeons' preference.
7. Passes instrument, sponges, sutures and other sterile supplies and equipment to surgeons and assistants during procedures, holds retraction devices and acts to anticipate and respond to surgeons' needs during course of surgery.
8. Counts sponges, needles and instruments according to established policy and assists with sterile dressing of operative site following procedure. Cleans operating room according to established procedures following each case by removing drapes, replacing hamper and trash bags, disposing of used supplies, cleaning and returning equipment to appropriate storage areas, and so forth.
9. Receives surgical specimens, places same in preservative solutions and notifies circulating nurse of type of specimen.
10. Performs related clerical and service duties such as answering telephones, relaying messages, scheduling cases, transporting patients to and from surgery, requisitioning supplies and so forth.
11. Participates as assigned in operating room services on call schedule and arrives on site within 45 minutes.
12. Assists in orienting and training new associates.
13. Supportive of the compliance program set forth by SJMC and demonstrated by:
    1. Upholds the Standards of Conduct and Corporate Compliance.
    2. Adheres to and helps to enforce all compliance policies relevant to his/her area.
    3. Assures timely compliance education as requested by the Regional Compliance & Safety Officer and/or through corporate initiatives.
14. Sets an example to all staff in their daily activities.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Education, Training & Certification:

• A candidate is a graduate of an accredited educational program for surgical technologists and holds and maintains certification as a surgical technologist.
• American Heart Association BLS is required.

Skills:

• Interpersonal skills necessary in order to interact with patients, surgeons and other patient care personnel, often during emergency or stressful situations.
• Analytical skills necessary in order to organize and prepare the operating room according to standard methods and procedures.
• Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to 80% of work time when performing technical tasks and anticipating surgeons' needs.
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods (more than 80% of work time) and to occasionally lift and position patients when preparing patients for operative procedures; and manual dexterity necessary to grasp and hold firmly retractors and delicate surgical instruments.

Houston's oldest hospital is GROWING!

Welcome to St. Joseph Medical Center (SJMC), Houston's first and only downtown hospital delivering world-class care for the last 137 years and looking forward to the next century of exceptional care to Houstonians when they need us most.

Whether it's for a scheduled surgery, the birth of a baby, an unexpected emergency, or an outpatient visit, we have staff available around the clock to provide you access to immediate, quality health care. SJMC has been providing health care services to Greater Houston residents for over 130 years, which should give you great comfort in knowing that we have a great tradition of caring for our community. We strive to meet our patients' expectations and encourage our patients to provide us with feedback on how we can help them have the best experience possible while they're in our care.

Over the last years we have expanded our services to include the Advanced Wound Care Center, Comprehensive Cardiac and Vascular Services, the Women's Center, the St. Joseph Maternal Fetal Medicine Center, and a Weight Loss Surgery Program, just to name a few. As you work with our physicians, nurses, case managers, educators, and other staff, you will be guided through your health care journey, from diagnosis to treatment, with compassion every step of the way.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the foundation of the care St Joseph Medical Center provides to our community we are privileged to support in all of our employment practices. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression or any other non-job-related characteristic.