Lead Surgical Technician

SUMMARY:

The Surgical Technician Lead monitors and directs the activities of assigned surgical techs within a designated ASC to achieve optimum performance, efficiency and quality outcomes under supervision of the surgical manager and Director of Nursing. Performs duties of surgical technician as directed. Assists the circulating nurse in preparation of surgical patients by performance of routine and delegated duties according to standards and policies. The Surgical Technician Lead scrubs for surgical procedures, cleans instruments and rooms, and opens for cases using aseptic techniques and standards of care. Monitors inventory and stocks operating rooms. Works closely with physicians and provides service to the physician customer to provide excellent patient care. Responsible for all decontamination, cleaning, inspecting, packaging, sterilizing, and labeling of reusable items. Assists in facilitating the daily surgery schedule and intake of facility supplies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Distributes and balances the workload among surgical support staff in accordance with established workflow or job specialization.
• Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques and makes available written or recorded instructions, reference materials and supplies.
• Performs and oversees precepting of new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices.
• Oversees surgical technician assignments; provides direction and guidance.
• Monitors the safe usage of Lasers.
• Provides performance documentation to ASC management.
• Assumes department leadership in absence of supervisor.
• Reviews the surgical schedule and service line shift report daily to ensure resources are available for surgical procedures.
• Provides patient care in the operating room by performing scrub roles.
• Collaborates with SPD to maintain instruments and specialty trays. Meets required inventory and working orders.
• Adheres to and advocates accepted practices and protocols of operating room job performance standards and CMS/Accreditation standards and regulations.
• Identifies and acts on process improvement opportunities.
• Seeks ways to eliminate errors, reduce turnaround time, and maintain workflow to improve customer service.
• Performs prompt on-site troubleshooting to resolve concerns as they occur.
• Orders materials and supplies; negotiates pricing with vendors, works on vendor contracts to ensure best possible rates, sets up new vendor accounts, and tracks high-cost items to ensure payment is received.
• Monthly inventory count for P&L.
• Manages all daily/monthly logs ensuring all are current.
• Performs weekly generator checks.
• Maintains Preventative Maintenance and coordinates repairs on all surgical equipment. 
• Monthly reporting of all upgraded lenses and lasers performed for P&L reporting.
• Ensure all invoices are emailed to AP and Tipalti.
• Maintains an appropriate professional appearance and demeanor in accordance with Company policies.
• Keeps commitments and keep direct supervisor informed of work progress, timetables, and issues.
• Maintains strict compliance with State, Federal and other regulations (e.g., OSHA, WC, HIPAA, ADA, FEHA, DOL, HR policies and practices).
• Other duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• High School graduate or GED, graduate of a surgical technician program, and minimum 1 year of operating room experience; or equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience.
• Basic knowledge of human anatomy.
• Knowledge of sterilization procedures and aseptic technique
• Knowledge of maintenance and care of equipment and instrumentation
• Awareness of safety precautions and emergency procedures
• Ability to read, write, and understand English

DESIRABLE:

• Current certification by the California Certified Surgical Technician Board preferred
• Thorough understanding of surgical procedures

CERTIFICATES/LICENSES/REGISTRATIONS: 

• Current Basic Life Support certification

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES/TALENTS:

• Knowledge of surgery center best practices and operations.  
• Proven ability to manage multiple work streams & priorities.
• Clear and effective communicator; adapts to different management, communication & delivery styles.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships.
• Models professionalism by maintaining effective working relationships, following all policies and procedures and approaching challenges with a proactive and positive attitude. Also develops strong, trusted relationships with colleagues and customers.
• Customer Service Advocate (flexible and adaptive; empathetic; passionate; ethical).
• Process Focused Operator (data driven decision-maker; detailed; organized and structured; comprehensive knowledge of all operational processes; computer proficient).
• Ability to respond to common inquiries from customers, staff, vendors, or other members of the community.
• Ability to draw valid conclusions, apply sound judgment in making decisions, and to make decisions under pressure. 
• Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures.
• Maintains the confidentiality of all business documents and correspondence.
• Must address others professionally and respectfully by actions, words and deeds.
• Detail oriented, organized, process focused, problem solver, self-motivated proactive, customer service focused.
• Displays independent judgment by willingness to make timely and accurate decisions based on available information that is sometimes vague or limited in nature.
• Ability to multitask effectively and work in a fast paced and sometimes ambiguous environment, without compromising quality of work.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and projects with limited direction, while understanding and contributing to the success of the office.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• This is primarily a clinical surgery center classification, working in a sterile environment. Temperature conditions are controlled with some direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. There is regular exposure to Doctors, staff, vendors and patients.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, see, talk and hear. The employee will frequently lift and/or carry reports, records and other materials that typically weigh less than 20 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, bend, or crouch. 
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, calculator, and other standard office equipment.

All the information contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this classification, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the duties and/or work assignments of all positions, without advanced notice, and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing described job responsibilities, employee shall not engage in activities that constitute the practice of ophthalmology as prohibited under applicable law. Employee shall neither exercise control over nor interfere with the clinician-patient relationship. Clinicians shall have sole responsibility for all professional services provided to patients.