Operating Room Scrub Tech

Description

Job Summary: Assists surgeon during operative and invasive procedures. Assures operating suite is adequately prepared for procedure. Monitors PAR level of all surgical instruments and supplies. Participates in departmental staff meetings and performance improvement activities.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:    

• Interacts professionally with patient and family.    
• Provides patient with explanations and verbal reassurance as necessary.  
• Adapts procedures to meet individual needs of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients for treatment. 
• Prepares room in a timely manner with all anticipated instruments, sutures, supplies and equipment for each individual surgical procedure.
• Demonstrates competence in care of specimens and accurately handles specimens at all times.
• Assists in positioning, prepping and draping of patients for surgical procedures.
• Accurately completes operating room counts (instruments, sponges, needles); follows proper procedure in case of incorrect count; reports all discrepancies to circulator and surgeon and/or corrects immediately.
• Carries out medical/surgical asepsis during treatments/procedures.  
• Maintains safe environment for patient, co-workers and self, per Hospital policies and procedures.
• Checks all equipment/instruments needed prior to each procedure to ensure proper functioning. 
• Protects patient’s sensitivities and right to privacy; closely observes patient with minimal disturbance. 
• Follows aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies and setting up procedures.
• Sets up, scrubs and prepares for procedures at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled time, unless otherwise directed by supervisor.
• Performs services requiring technical or manual skills under the direction of circulating RN.
• Always maintains an orderly and sterile instrument table for the purpose of efficiency; follows Surgical Department standard set up.  
• Anticipates needs of surgeon during intra-operative phase.    
• Cleans and prepares rooms between procedures and after last case; restocks supplies when necessary and organizes effectively for end-of-case clean up.
• Is fully responsible for care of instruments/equipment during intra-/post-operative phase.
• Consults with other staff members when in question or unfamiliar with equipment or procedure.
• Regularly collaborates with other members of the OR nursing team in order to maintain equipment and supplies for surgical procedures.
• Completes documentation within shift and meets current standards, policies and procedures. 
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationships with co-workers for the patient’s benefit. 
• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of facts and good judgment within the Certified OR Scrub Technician’s scope of practice.
• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of assigned case and instruments and/or trays to be pulled for procedure.
• Takes the appropriate amount of call days per month so there is 24-hour coverage. 
• Has a response time of 20 minutes or less to get to the hospital from the time you are notified.

Requirements

Professional Requirements:

• Meets dress code standards for the department; adheres to policy.  
• Completes annual educational requirements.     
• Wears identification while on duty; uses computerized time system correctly. 
• Reports to work on time as scheduled
• Maintains regulatory requirements including all state, federal and CMS regulations, nursing and hospital policies, procedures and standards.  
• Utilizes initiative; strives to maintain steady level of productivity; self- motivated. Organization and management of activities reflect due consideration for the needs of the Department.       
• Always maintains and ensures patient confidentiality of patient’s and records. 
• Communicates the mission, vision, core values, goals and ethics of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the Surgery Department.   
• Attends monthly staff meetings and in-services. 
• Actively participates in Surgery Quality Improvement (QI) activities.  
• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.     
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.  
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire, safety and infection control.     
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.     

Regulatory Requirements:

• Minimum High School diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate of an accredited Operating Room Technician training program or sufficient on-the-job training.
• Operating Room Technician Certification preferred.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification.