At Houston Methodist, the Lead Surgical Technologist position serves as a clinical resource/expert for Surgical Technology staff and creates an environment for the delivery of safe patient care and assists others in developing their skills and knowledge. This position requires proficient knowledge and skills necessary to carry out delegated tasks associated with the safe and efficient operating room support functions, anticipating the needs of the surgeon and nursing staff to support the patient during the surgical procedures. The Lead Surgical Technologist position reports observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse, ensuring other team members do the same. The Lead Surgical Technologist position is responsible for assigned non-nursing functions and practices relationship centered care in concert with Houston Methodist values. Other duties for this position include participating in the selection, training, education, development and evaluation of the Surgical Tech team, validating competencies of Surgical Techs prior to release from orientation, general patient care and department upkeep, as delegated by licensed personnel.
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Role models to team members effective communication skills, assisting in their development of such skills. Teaches others to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and follows up consistently.
- Independently and expertly executes the duties and responsibilities of preceptor and clinical resource, guiding and mentoring colleagues' though processes in complex situations in order to provide optimal patient care. Provides structured feedback with examples.
- Leads and initiates problem resolution within the work unit. Facilitates teamwork by anticipating the need for assistance and responding positively to requests for assistance.
- Participates in the selection, training, education, development and evaluation of the Surgical Tech team. Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes. Validates competencies of Surgical Techs prior to release from orientation. Participates in staff evaluations by providing information regarding clinical skills, knowledge base and interpersonal skills.
- Effectively supports management to implement protocols and objectives with team members to result in optimization of staff performance, teamwork, patient safety, and customer service. Initiates recommendations, collaborating with management, for improvement of employee engagement score.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Prepares room, equipment and supplies to accommodate planned procedures. Supports the physician with surgical procedures; anticipates the needs of the surgeon and nursing staff to support the patient during the surgical procedures. Assists with the care of instruments, equipment and supplies following surgical procedure.
- Validates potential revisions and accurately updates physician preference cards.
- Executes above average clinical and critical thinking skills in challenging procedures and patient care situations, utilizing conflict management techniques as appropriate. Drives service improvements to impact overall physician satisfaction for their department and department patient satisfaction.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Upholds established hospital and department policies, procedures, and standards as well as scope of practice for Surgical Techs. Reports observed variances in practices to department management.
- Ensures implementation of evidence-based practices within the department. Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care. Partners with hospital Education to identify educational needs in partnership with unit and hospital-based education specialists.
- Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities, impacting department and hospital quality and safety targets, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional team.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Assists team members in maintaining inventories. Maintains efficient use of surgical supplies and minimizes opening of supplies until confirmation that will be used during surgery; does not waste supplies. Collaborates with physicians to identify cost-saving initiatives.
- Organizes time effectively and sets priorities, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Collaborates with interprofessional health care team and initiates department process improvement. Serves on department and hospital committees, such as Shared Governance, Service Team Lead Committee, etc.
- Proactively seeks opportunities to enhance knowledge and learning towards expertise in competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the My Development plan on an on-going basis.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
EDUCATION
- High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
- Successful completion of an accredited Surgical Technologist program or military training equivalency
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Five years of experience as a Surgical Technologist, serving as a clinical resource for three years in surgical specialty service lines
- Experience in the role of a service line team lead or preceptor
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