Surgical Technician

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Surgical Technician assists the surgical team during operative procedures. Understands and applies principles of asepsis. Arranges the sterile set-up for procedures and passes instruments as needed to the operating team. ST is able to anticipate the surgeons’ needs in such a manner that the surgeon need not divert his attention form the operative field. ST is able to assists in preparing and moving patients and cleaning/sterilizing instruments and the operating room. The ST is responsible for the provision of surgical care to meet identified patient outcomes and to achieve facility goals as directed by the Registered Nurse.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: POSITION REPORTS TO: Clinical Coordinator, Administrator
POSITION SUPERVISES: None RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS Demonstrates cooperative work attitude toward and with employees, physicians, management, patients, families, visitors, contract service providers and vendors. Consistently interacts in a manner that is friendly, supportive, courteous, respectful, cooperative and professional.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION: LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Certification as a Surgical Technician preferred, or three years demonstrated experience in surgical assisting (Scrub Tech). Successful completion of BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Graduate of an Operating Room Technician Program or equivalent education. Prefer minimum of one year previous operating room experience.
ELIGIBILITY: Must be able to provide proof of their identity and their right to work in the United States
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION: 1. Prepares the autoclaves, operating rooms, and the work rooms at the beginning of each day. 2. Monitors autoclaves/Steris units daily – biological and steam penetration testing. Completes appropriate documentation on all sterilization processes. 3. Cleans autoclaves monthly. 4. Damp dusts all surfaces daily; damp dusts all flat surfaces and lights in the operating rooms prior to opening sterile packs 5. Assists with the preparation of the operating room for surgical procedures 6. Assists with gowning and gloving members of the surgical team 7. Assists with the care, preparation, maintenance and after-care of sterile and unsterile supplies and equipment. 8. Knows and practices the principles and techniques of sterile/aseptic technique. 9. Handles specimens in accordance with procedures 10. Participates in sponge, instrument, and needle counts with the circulating nurse. 11. Removes drapes at the end of procedures, cleanses the patient of prep solution and applies dressing as needed. 12. Respects patient’s privacy, dignity and confidentiality. 13. Recognizes legal and policy limits of individual responsibility. 14. Demonstrates ability to respond to patient care and operating room needs in an emergency situation. 15. Assists with room turnovers. 16. Cleans instruments and equipment after use and returns it to the proper area for storage or processing 17. Assists with housekeeping duties as necessary to provide a safe environment. 18. Demonstrates the ability to understand and use various types of equipment used to clean and/or sterilize instrumentation. 19. Participates in the CQI process 20. Performs other duties as may be appropriately required or assigned. 21. Provides clinical skills necessary to provide quality care according to patient’s age and stage of growth and development: Infant, Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult, and/or Geriatric.
JOB COMPLEXITY, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge in fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, sterilization procedures, aseptic technique and maintenance and care of equipment. Must have basic knowledge of surgical procedures, needs of the surgical team and use of supplies and equipment needed for each procedure. LEVEL OF SUPERVISION Minimal, must be self-directed, able to work independently with minimal supervision by the clinical coordinator and registered nurses. PROBLEM SOLVING AND JUDGEMENT Gathers, analyzes and evaluates facts, utilizing policies and procedures and past experience before making recommendations. PROFESSIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE Thorough knowledge of the organization, structure, philosophy, objectives, policies and procedures of the facility. MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES Utilizes equipment and supplies wisely. COMPETENCY / SKILLS REVIEW Satisfactorily completes all mandatory training and competencies. TEAM WORK 1. Communicates patient information to assure confidentiality and continuity of care 2. Interacts with professional staff, patients, families, visitors, fellow employees in a mature, responsible manner to ensure a positive and professional facility environment 3. Diffuses/resolves conflict by appropriately communicating with those involved. ATTENDANCE Excellent attendance required - willing to work extra hours as needed MACHINES / EQUIPMENT USED All operating room instrumentation, video equipment, power equipment, laser and smoke evacuators, microscopes, OR beds, sterilization equipment, clinical equipment used for patient care, including, but not limited to suction equipment, stretchers, blanket and fluid warmers. Office equipment, i.e. computers, copy machines, telephones, public address system, postage machine and fax machine. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 1. Works in well-lighted and ventilated climate controlled environment with complicated equipment, some equipment with moving mechanical parts. 2. May be exposed to patients who have communicable diseases. With proper techniques, this risk should be minimized. 3. May have routine exposure to blood borne and airborne disease pathogens. With proper techniques, and PPE, this risk should be minimized. 4. Risk of radiation exposure with radiology. 5. May be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals 6. Quiet to moderate noise levels. Must be able to hear alarms on equipment, patient call – alarms, patient – calls, overhead pages and instructions from physicians or staff. 7. May be exposed to anesthetic gases/agents, fumes or airborne particles. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Requires extensive mobility: walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. 2. Ability to sit for long periods of time. 3. Pushing, pulling, and lifting of equipment and/or patients 4. Requires mental alertness and accuracy for decision making. 5. Requires ability to speak, hear, and to identify and distinguish colors 6. Use of hands to reach, grasp, use fine finger movement and feel fine sensation to discern temperature, texture, size and shape. 7. Repetitive motion required for extensive use of computers. 8. Good visual acuity 9. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.