Certified Surgical Technologist Operating Room

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible to the Director, Surgical Services, Manager, OR and PACU, and/or designee for overall practice. Functions under supervision of the Nursing Supervisor and circulating nurse as a scrub or assist.  Assists in the delivery of patient care in the Operating Room under the supervision of the professional nurse according to AORN Standards of Practice, Principles of Asepsis and Operating Room Policies and Procedures.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. High School Education or equivalent.
2. Successful completion of a Surgical Technologist program sponsored by an entity holding nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation or successful completion of appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy or Air Force.

Experience:

1. A minimum of three years’ operating room experience preferred.
2. A background in Cesarean Sections and Orthopedic, General and Vascular surgery preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the specific uses of all equipment and supplies for surgical procedures. 
2. Uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating with patients, families, and co-workers at all times.
3. Extensive dexterity skills needed to handle equipment needed for surgical procedures.
4. Strength required to assist with lifting, moving, and positioning of patients, moving of equipment and handling of supplies.
5. Knowledge/demonstration of aseptic technique.
6. Ability to work well with physicians, coworkers, and students.
7. Ability to work closely with a positive attitude with individuals under physical or emotional stress.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.
2. Maintains a required Surgical Technologist certification. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position is for a highly independent individual with the ability to work under minimal supervision from the Director, Manager or Nursing Supervisor.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Applies knowledge of the basic concepts necessary for the performance of the duties expected of the surgical technician.
   1. Applies knowledge of normal and pathologic anatomy and physiology and helps in the administration of pharmacologic agents.
      1. Identifies medications and solutions by name, dosage, and expiration date with a registered nurse.
      2. Identifies medications and solution by name and dosage when handing medication to surgeon.
   2. Applies the principles of asepsis and sterile technique in a knowledgeable manner to provide optimal patient care.
      1. Establishes and maintains a sterile field.
      2. Performs gowning, gloving and surgical scrubbing according to medical center policy.
      3. Assists with skin preparation and draping of patient.
      4. Assists with the care, preparation and maintenance of sterile and unsterile supplies.
   3. Understands the services provided to the patient in relation to their restoration of health.
   4. Prepares and possesses knowledge of the specific uses of all equipment and supplies used for surgical procedures.
      1. Demonstrates knowledge, care, maintenance, and storage of special instruments and equipment.
      2. Checks sutures and supplies and assists with the case set-up.
      3. Updates surgeons' preference lists.
   5. Differentiates sterilization methods required for specific instruments and equipment.
      1. Cleans or directs the cleaning and sterilizing of contaminated instruments, equipment and supplies as necessary.
      2. Cleans and checks sterilizing apparatus according to safety plan for care of sterilizers.  Operates sterilizer safely and documents accurately.
   6. Demonstrates knowledge of the progress of specific surgical procedures and displays dexterity in the use of the required instrumentation.
      1. Demonstrates organization, efficiency and speed in setting up a sterile field.
      2. Performs sharps, sponge and instrument counts.
   7. Anticipates the needs of the surgeon in order to expedite the procedure, thus minimizing the patient's exposure to surgical and anesthetic stress.
   8. Identifies emergency situations and uses sound judgment in instituting established procedures to respond to emergencies in a calm and efficient manner.
   9. Adheres to Standard Precautions Policy, Medical Center Infection Control Policy, Medical Center and Delivery Room Policies and Procedures.
2. Develops an attitude that promotes responsibility as an individual health care worker and as a member of the health care team.
   1. Recognizes the importance of teamwork, consideration, and cooperation.
   2. Develops and improves skills in the organization of work and in assisting the surgeon by learning to use economy in time, motion, and materials.
   3. Performs other duties related to the job classification and department operations as assigned.
   4. Performs duties under the direction of Anesthesia personnel as needed.
3. Acquires knowledge and maintains current knowledge in practice.
   1. Seeks experience to maintain clinical skills and demonstrate clinical competency.
   2. Demonstrates initiative in expanding knowledge of new surgical procedures and subjects relating to the operating room and the surgical patient.
   3.  Shares knowledge and assists with the educational development of team members.
   4. Reviews meeting minutes, required reading and verify by initialing same.
4. Maintains awareness of the patient as an individual, with specific physical, psychological, and spiritual needs.
   1. Respects the patient's inherent right to privacy, dignity, and autonomy.
   2. Addresses patient with appropriate title as agreed upon.
   3. Assists with patient transfer, provides verbal and tactile reassurance.
   4. Delivers care with a nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory manner that is sensitive to patient diversity.
5. Adheres to a code of behavior that reflects the ethical, legal, and moral responsibilities of each individual health care practitioner.
   1. Understands that each practitioner is individually responsible for his/her own actions.
   2.  Recognizes legal and policy limits of individual responsibility.  
6. Provides a safe, efficient, and supportive environment for the surgical patient.
   1. Adheres to OR safety policies and procedures. 
   2. Uses proper body mechanics for all activities. 
   3. Completes appropriate form for all unusual occurrences.
   4. Considers cost containment without jeopardizing patient care when requesting supplies.
   5. Demonstrates working knowledge in use of and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation.
   6. Reports faulty equipment to appropriate personnel. 
7. Provides essential morning checks and duties for the upcoming day.
   1. Performs Dart test, A-test and morning temperature checks.
   2. Assists with preparing case carts for morning surgeries.
   3. Returns credits to Sterile Processing.
   4. Puts away equipment/disposable credits from Sterile Processing.
   5. Operates Xenex robot. 

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.