Job Objective:
The Surgical Technologist must be able to competently assist the surgeon during an operative or other invasive procedure and must ensure the integrity of the sterile field at all times. The Surgical Technologist always functions under the supervision of the registered nurse.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Ensures that the operating room and environment are ready prior to the patient being brought into the room.
- Ensures that all necessary instruments, supplies, and equipment are available for the case.
- Assures that the surgeon's preference card was consulted and is current; any irregularities will be brought to the attention of the circulating nurse in the room.
- Assures that all instruments and equipment are in proper working condition before the case begins.
- Validates that the humidity and temperature of the operating room suite are in appropriate range; any irregularities will be brought to the attention of the circulating nurse in the room.
- Opens all necessary supplies to begin the procedure using appropriate sterile technique.
- Continuously validates the sterility of all products and instrumentation placed on the sterile field, both before and during the procedure.
- Communicates immediately with the circulating nurse any break in sterility or any irregularity in the sterile package.
- Follows the department policy for hand scrub, gowning, gloving, and draping prior to surgery.
- Sets up the sterile field in the standard manner, allowing for visualization of all items during counts.
- Performs all counts per department policy.
- Assists the surgeon and circulating nurse to appropriately position the patient prior to the start of the procedure.
- Assists in draping the patient according to department standards and surgeon's preferences.
- Does not hand the surgeon a scalpel or any other instrument to begin the procedure until after the "Time Out" has been completed.
- Is responsible for anticipating the surgeon's needs during the procedure.
- Assists the surgeon by passing appropriate instruments during the procedure.
- Through observation of the activity on the field, is able to have appropriate instrumentation ready before the surgeon asks for it.
- Operates specialized technical equipment safely and efficiently, keeping all appropriate parts sterile during the procedure.
- Accounts for all needles, sponges, instruments, and all other foreign bodies on-going during the intra-operative phase of the procedure.
- Properly handles, identifies, labels, and disposes of specimens according to hospital Policy and assures that right and left tissues are clearly differentiated.
- Accepts medication onto the field only after validating the order from the surgeon, visualizing the label, and identifying the name, strength, and expiration date of the medication.
- Labels all medications and fluids on the field with correct name and strength, when appropriate.
- Assists with room turnover activities.
- Accounts for all instruments, preparing them for CPD by cleaning off all gross materials and immersing appropriate instruments into a disinfectant/enzymatic solution.
- Tags all instruments that have malfunctioned and notifies CPD.
- Cleans medical equipment per manufacturer's recommendations and returns equipment to the correct storage location.
- Properly tags all non-functioning equipment, writing a clear description of the problem on the tag and moving the equipment to the correct location for Bio-med pick-up; communicates this with the circulating nurse.
- Returns unused supplies to the proper location.
- Stocks supplies and linens as needed in the room.
- Assists with cleaning the operating room as needed.
- Continuously works to promote the team concept while providing patient care.
- Assists with the transport of patients.
- Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality at all times.
- Assists the registered nurse to deliver quality patient care through the nursing process.
- Supports the surgical team by updating skills and knowledge of surgical supplies, equipment, and protocols through in-services and other educational opportunities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge
- Knowledge and application of surgical asepsis and sterile technique.
- Knowledge of proper instrumentation, supplies and equipment for surgical procedures.
Skills
Abilities
- Demonstrates competency in the use of new technologies relating to equipment and procedures.
Education and Experience:
Education
- Completion of an accredited Surgical Technology Program or a minimum of 15 years of experience as a surgical technologist in an acute care setting is required. Surgical Technologist certification is highly preferred.
Experience
- One year experience as a Surgical Technologist in a hospital or surgery center setting is preferred.
- Main Surgery- one year experience in multiple specialties preferred.
Required Licensure and/or Certifications:
- BLS/BCLS.
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
Key Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
- Work under stressful emotional and physical conditions.
- Required to take night and weekend call shifts in rotation with other Operating Room staff.
- May be exposed to contaminated instruments that may cause infections, burns, or cuts.
- May be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation.
A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.
NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.
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