Surgical Technologist

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Prepares andmaintainsmedical equipment for surgical procedures.
• Before an operation, surgical technologistshelp prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgical team.
• Establishes andmaintainssterilefieldsduring surgical procedures in the operating room.
• Ensures sterility of all supplies and instruments during setupsurgical procedures.

• Assists circulatingnursesand surgicalteamsinmaintaininga sterileenvironment.
• Assists circulatingnursesin gathering necessary surgical supplies and equipment.
• Is responsible fordoing sponge, needle, and instrument count pre-operatively and intra-operatively with the circulating nurse.
• Gowns andgloves,surgeons and assistants.
• Assistsin keeping physician preference cardsaccurate/updated.
• Retains all specimens to be sent to pathology, confirming source/name of specimen with surgeon.
• Transportall surgical equipment toappropriate cleaningareas.Assistsin sterile supply with cleaning andreprocessinginstrument sets.
• Interacts appropriately and effectively with all patients/others regardless of age or ethnic background.
• Uses Standard Universal Precautions,appropriate handhygiene, personal protective equipment, and safe practices to ensure personal safety and a safe environment. 10.Assistswith environmental hazard and infection control surveillance andparticipatein emergency preparedness drills.
• Follows all equipment and safety guidelines andis responsible forknowledgeable use and care of equipment.
• Serves as a resource to other members of the health care team.
• Attends in-services, conferences, and meetings asrequired.
• Communicates effectively and courteously with visitors, physicians, and their officestaff, patients, and employees. Maintains patient, physician, and employee privacy and confidentiality per policy.
• Maintains designated certifications such as CPR, as offered by the center.
• Actsin accordance withthe vision, mission, and business philosophy of the Center.
• Complies withPolicies and Procedures, and adheres to safety guidelines to ensure a safe work and patient care environment
• Follows facilityregulations and industry procedures to tend topatientsduring 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 operatingtable andcover them with sterile surgical “drapes.”
• Observe patients’ vital signs, check charts, andassistthe 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 helpoperatediagnostic 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 todemonstratethe knowledge and skills necessary to provide careappropriate tothe age of the patients in the center.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge of the principle of growth and development of the life span and thepossessthe 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.
• Demonstratesknowledgeand skills in the nursing process.
• Demonstrates the ability toutilizerecognized channels of communication.
• Demonstrates the ability tomaintaingood 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 noiselevels.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee isfrequentlyexposed to bloodborne pathogens and chemical hazards.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed tothe riskof 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 poundsfrequentlyand 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.

Contacts: Employee interacts with internal and external employees, potential and existing customers, potential and existing vendors, and acquaintances of all levels and purposes. All communication is expected to be professional, courteous, and prompt.

Security Access: Employee has access to the following systems