SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST

Description

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital /

Southern Vermont Health Services Corporation

Job Description: Operating Room Surgical Technologist

Job Title: Surgical Technologist

Job Code: 274

Hours: Day 6:45-3:15

Weekend Schedule: Rotating ON Call

Holiday Schedule: Rotating ON Call

FTE: .8

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department Name: Operating Rooms

Location: Brattleboro, Vermont

JOB SUMMARY:

The Surgical Technologist is an integral member of the perioperative team who works collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide safe, effective, and high-quality surgical care. Under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and in partnership with the surgical team, the Surgical Technologist facilitates the efficient performance of surgical and invasive procedures while maintaining a safe and sterile operating environment.

The Surgical Technologist is responsible for ensuring the availability, functionality, and proper handling of surgical instruments, supplies, equipment, and implants necessary for patient care. Through expert knowledge of sterile and aseptic technique, surgical procedures, anatomy, instrumentation, and emerging technologies, the Surgical Technologist anticipates the needs of the surgical team and contributes to optimal patient outcomes.

The Surgical Technologist promotes patient safety by maintaining the integrity of the sterile field, adhering to infection prevention standards, participating in surgical counts, assisting with patient positioning and preparation, and supporting compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements. The role requires strong technical skills, critical thinking, attention to detail, effective communication, and a commitment to teamwork and continuous professional development.

Surgical technologists are health professionals, who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

DEPARTMENT SCOPE OF SERVICE

Perioperative Services consists of the Pre Anesthesia Clinic (PAC), Operating Room (OR), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU), Endoscopy, Minor Procedures and Sterile Processing Dept. Patients are cared for from 10 months until the end of life. Surgeons credentialed at BMH perform surgery in three rooms. Surgical privileges are maintained in the department. Outside contract services are evaluated per hospital policy. Cesarean sections are performed in the Birthing Center operating room.

Perioperative Services is staffed by Registered Nurses, Surgical Technologists, Scheduler/Assistant Staffing Coordinator, Sterile Processing Technicians, Operating Room Assistant, a Unit Secretary, LNA, and a Director of Perioperative Services.

The OR provides care 24 hours a day, each day of the year. The OR’s elective schedule is from 7:00am to 3:30pm. Care is coordinated between physician offices, the OR, Anesthesiology, the and the OR/SPD. Start times for surgery, length of day schedule and the block schedule are established by the Surgical Governance Council

The PACU has an area for the immediate post operative care and reassessment of patients for and from surgery, for the admission and discharge of select ACU patients, and primarily, for the provision of intensive observation and care of patients following operative and special procedures.

The ACU includes caring for surgical /medical patients and providing pre and postoperative care and education services. Including support for same-day surgical services when applicable.  

Sterile Processing processes and decontaminates instruments and equipment for the OR and Physician Practices.

Pre Anesthesia Clinic is an area staffed by RN’s, a Workflow Coordinator and a Unit Secretary. Patients are interviewed prior to surgery, pre-op consults and test results reviewed and anesthesia guidelines followed to assure adequate patient assessment and preparation prior to surgery.   

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: 

• High school graduate or equivalent. 
• Completion of a surgical technology course, certificate program or comparable experience required

Experience: 

• Recent OR scrub experience required.

Licensure/Certification: 

• Certification from Association of Surgical Technologists preferred.
• CPR required.

Mental Efforts: 

• Requires eye/hand coordination and manual dexterity.
• Normal or corrected vision/hearing.
• Helping and assisting with the lifting and/or moving of patients from one point to another.
• Environment & Working Conditions Potential exposure to hazardous material, body fluids, bloodborne pathogens and communicable diseases.

OSHA CATEGORY

• OSHA Category I - Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues require use of techniques of Universal Precautions as evidenced with blood borne pathogens standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities.
• Standing - Up to 1/3
• Walking - Up to 1/3
• Sitting - 2/3 or more
• Talking or Hearing - 2/3 or more
• Use of hands to finger, handle or feel - Up to 1/3
• Pushing/Pulling - None
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling - None
• Reaching with hands and arms - Up to 1/3
• Tasting or smelling - None

This position requires that weight be lifted, or force be exerted.

• Up to 10 pounds - 2/3 or more
• Up to 25 pounds - 1/3 to 1/2
• Up to 50 pounds - Up to 1/3
• Up to 100 pounds - None
• More than 100 pounds - None

This position has special vision requirements.

• Close Vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Ability to Adjust Focus (ability to adjust eye to bring an object into sharp focus)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position requires exposure to the following environmental conditions.
• Wet, humid conditions (non-weather) - None
• Work near moving mechanical parts - Up to 1/3
• Fumes or airborne particles - Up to 1/3
• Toxic or caustic chemicals - Up to 1/3
• Outdoor weather conditions - None
• Extreme cold (non-weather) - None
• Extreme heat (non-weather) - None
• Risk of electrical shock - None
• Work with explosives - None
• Risk of radiation - None
• Vibration - None
• The typical noise level for the environment is:
• Very Quiet
• Quiet
• Moderate Noise
• Loud Noise
• Hearing
• Ability to hear calls
• Ability to hear instructions from physician/department staff/others

EEO/ADA Statement

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regard to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources.

Compensation Disclosure in Accordance with Vermont Act 155

In compliance with Vermont Act 155, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital provides the compensation range for this position in good faith. The listed range represents the pay scale reasonably expected for a successful candidate based on factors such as relevant experience, education, internal equity, and market competitiveness. Final compensation will be determined during the hiring process.