Surgical Technician

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position assists the surgical team by acting as the primary scrub person who handles the instruments, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures. The incumbent maintains constant vigilance for the maintenance of the sterile field and assists with maintaining equipment and instruments as well as with supply inventory. This position may be required to access and handle medications within their scope of practice, under provider direction, and according to state law.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Checks supplies/instrumentation and equipment needed for surgical procedures and ensures they are working properly.
• Opens sterile supplies and sets up the table for each surgical procedure.
• Provides a sterile field for surgical procedures. Ensures that the members of the surgical team are properly attired and assists the surgeon with draping the patient to isolate the operative site.
• Assists in the maintenance of the sterile field by applying principles of aseptic techniques and informing the surgeon/surgical team of infractions.
• Anticipates and passes instruments and supplies to the surgeon.
• Follows the perioperative count policy which includes counting: sharps, instruments, sponges, etc. in collaboration with the circulating nurse.
• Knows what counted items are used at the sterile field.
• Cleans, wraps and prepares the instruments for sterilization.
• Assists in the maintenance of specialty surgical services.
• Prepares the sterile dressing for the patient's incision.
• Orients medical/nursing students and technicians to the unit.
• Assists in the development of unit goals/objectives, quality improvement and cost containment measures.
• Arranges for borrowing/lending of equipment as directed.
• May assist in the scheduling of surgical procedures.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.

• Knowledge of medical terminology, physiology and anatomy.

• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.

• Ability to provide care appropriate to the population served.

• Ability to operate with the authority to alert operating room staff when there is a break in the sterile field and to take appropriate corrective measures. This requires good interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to maintain a fast/rapid pace as well as working for multiple surgeons and anticipating their individual needs and preferences.

• Ability to ensure the proper care, maintenance and coordination of surgical instruments and supplies.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications

Required

• Successful completion of an accredited O.R. Technician program, military training as a scrub tech.
• Two (2) years of hands-on experience as a surgical technician.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Certification by the Surgical Technologist Association and two (2) years of experience.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds any may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects. The incumbent may face exposure to potentially dangerous contaminated body fluids, new and used needles, razor blades, knives, bone shavings, pieces of glass, and other contaminants as part of the daily hazards of the job and must wear protective attire at all times. The position also requires standing or walking for long periods of time.

Physical Requirements