Surgical Tech - Surgical Technician

Department: Surgery 

Job Summary:  

Facilitates the operative or other invasive procedure by preparing and providing the required sterile instruments, supplies and equipment. Maintains the sterile field and anticipates and responds to the needs of the surgical team. Responsible for inventorying and replenishing supply levels for all perioperative areas within the facility or health care organization. 

Primary Responsibilities Surgical Technician: 

1. Promote the mission, vision, and values of the facility or health care organization. 
2. Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization. 
3. Function as a scrub person during operative and other invasive procedures by 
4. assembling supplies and equipment required for the procedure. 
5. preparing and organizing sterile supplies and instruments for the procedure. 
6. performing accounting procedures in concert with the RN circulator. 
7. assisting with placement of sterile drapes. 
8. providing instruments and supplies to the surgical team during the procedure.  
9. maintaining an organized sterile field. 
10. ensuring sterility of the field and taking corrective actions as needed; and 
11. preparing sterile dressings. 
12. Clean and prepare surgical instruments for processing and transport them to the decontamination areas. 
13. Assist with post procedure cleaning of the operative or other invasive procedure room and preparation of room for subsequent patients. 
14. Participate in ongoing educational and competency verification activities applicable to scrub person activities. 
15. Maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information Restocks blankets in blanket warmers in Recovery Room, Pre-OP. 
16. Assists nursing staff with all procedures and patient care as needed. 
17.  Reports defective equipment to supervisor. 

Sterile Processing 

1. Follow established protocols for cleaning, decontaminating, preparing and packaging, disinfecting or sterilizing, and storing medical and surgical supplies and equipment. 
2. Retrieve medical and surgical supplies from other areas within the facility or health care organization daily. 
3. Distribute medical and surgical supplies from sterile processing areas to other areas within the facility or health care organization as needed. 
4. Adhere to standard precautions including the use of personal protective equipment. 
5. Follow safety procedures and manufacturer's instructions when handling cleaning solutions, supplies and equipment. 
6. Operate equipment used in the sterile processing areas safely and according to the manufacturer's instructions for use. 
7. Monitor, interpret, and document results of physical, chemical and biological indicators for all types of sterilizers used in the sterile processing areas. 
8. Prepare and distribute surgical case carts according to physician's preference lists and anticipated needs of the perioperative team. 
9. Inventory, receive, and restock materials used for supporting sterile processing services. 
10. Comply with organizational policies, regulatory and accreditation standards, and professional guidelines. 
11. Exhibit professional interpersonal and communication skills. 
12. Assist with improving the quality of sterile processing services. 
13. Employ strategies to promote workplace safety and health in the sterile processing areas. 

Surgical Assist- Coordination of Specialties 

1. Monitor, rotate, and remove all outdated and overstocked materials 
2. Monitor restocking of all materials used for patient care in the perioperative environment. 
3. Monitor oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen tank levels and order replacement tanks as needed. 
4. Review the surgical schedule in advance to verify that supplies and equipment are available when needed. 
5. Act as a clinical resource for perioperative services personnel within the specialty using professional guidelines and evidence-based standards. 
6. Coordinate perioperative patient care with other members of the surgical team. 
7. Act as a consultant to advise the perioperative team in areas of specialty expertise. 
8. Assist perioperative personnel in evaluating practice and in creating strategies for further improvement within the specialty. 
9. Provide a high level of service for all customers (eg, physicians, health care industry representatives [HCIRs], perioperative personnel) and prompt responses for emergently needed (STAT) equipment, supplies, and instruments. 
10. Use effective problem solving and conflict resolution techniques. 
11. Manage the specialty operationally and fiscally. 

Qualifications Required: 

• Graduate from an accredited surgical technology program 
• Certified surgical technologist (CST)  
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification 

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: 

• Occasional exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue, communicable diseases, chemicals, and radiation 
• Physically demanding, high-stress environment 
• Frequent heavy lifting, pushing and pulling is required (25 to 300 lbs.) 
• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients  
• Manual and finger dexterity  
• Hand and eye coordination  
• Standing and walking for extensive periods of time  
• Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 lbs.  
• Moving Patients under general anesthesia with slider board with assistance 
• Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range  
• Working irregular hours including call hours