Surgical Technician

Description

1. ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION

A member of the Surgical team that works closely with the surgeon during invasive/ minimally invasive procedures. Prepares the operating suites for daily procedures, including instruments and equipment. Utilizes strict aseptic technique during invasive and minimally invasive procedures. Responsible for the care, cleaning, and reprocessing of surgical instruments. Responsible for ordering, stocking and storing of sterile and non-sterile supplies in the OR suites and the sterile supply area. Responsible for the housekeeping duties within the surgical department. Assists with patient care and/ or other duties as assigned by the Manager of Surgical Services and the Circulating RN.

1. INTERACTION

Primarily Interacts with: administration, physicians, employees, clinical and non-clinical departments, patients, and visitors.

1. PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

• Work closely with the surgeon during procedures and pass needed instruments, provide retraction, cut suture, and other duties within the scope of practice.
• Demonstrate strict aseptic technique during intraoperative phase including surgical hand scrub, gown and gloving (open and closed) of self and other team members.
• Drape or assist in draping of the patient for surgical procedures.
• Identify and safely and correctly handle instruments during procedures.
• Verify integrity of sterile packages and verify expiration dates of all items introduced into the sterile field.
• Open sterile instrument packs, drapes, solutions, and supplies while maintaining sterility during transfer into the sterile field.
• Open, prepare, and set up OR and back tables for all procedures (vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic, rectal, facial, etc.)
• Properly connect sterile devices and equipment from sterile field to non-sterile sources (suction, bovie, camera, light, etc.).
• Safely handle and prepare medications used in the sterile field.
• Identify, prepare, and pass suture to surgeon.
• Participate in counting of sponges, needles, and instruments according to departmental policy.
• Recognize and verbalize breaks in sterile technique by self and others.
• Prepare the Operating suites and readies equipment for procedures, including housekeeping needs, instruments, and equipment.
• Properly care for tissue specimens, including packaging.
• Apply sterile dressings at the end of procedure without contamination of the dressing or the operative site.
• Properly prep the operative site when necessary.
• Assist in circulating in the operating suite under the direct supervision of a registered nurse.
• Responsible for daily housekeeping duties within the surgical department (including break room, sterile supply, endoscopy, scrub areas, anesthesia room, etc.)
• Responsible for the care, cleaning, and reprocessing of surgical instruments.
• Responsible for reprocessing instruments from all departments within the hospital.
• Responsible for ordering, stocking, and storing of non-sterile and sterile supplies in the OR and sterile supply areas.
• Clean instruments after operative procedures according to established procedures to ensure proper care of instruments and personal safety.
• Effectively utilize the instrument washer and endoscopic reprocessor and utilize proper cycle to ensure effective cleaning.
• Properly clean and store endoscopic equipment utilizing washer and scope rack.
• Assemble necessary equipment, set up, and assist physician on endoscopic examinations.
• Properly utilize electrocautery unit according to departmental policy.
• Participate in annual peer competency review process.
• Provide exemplary customer service.
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA.
• Cooperate with other personnel to achieve departmental objectives and maintain good employee relations, inter-departmental objectives and infection control policies.
• Cordially demonstrate timeliness and professionalism in appearance, communications, and actions during all interactions and with all individuals and entities.
• Solve practical problems, dealing with a variety of issues, and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written and oral form.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

Requirements

ABILITY TO USE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, MATERIALS, MACHINES: Computer, telephone, facsimile machine, copier, scanner, printer, calculator and other standard office equipment.

1. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

Education:

• OR tech-graduate of surgical technician school and/or sufficient on the job training for licensed LVN surgical scrub.
• BLS certification required.

Experience:

• 4-6 weeks preceptor training required upon hire.

Personal Job Related Skills / Abilities:

• Must be committed to quality and patient safety at all times.
• Excellent command / highly proficient in spoken and written English.
• Basic computer skills, including but not limited to: Microsoft Office, electronic medical documentation, and email.
• Must be effective at adjusting to change, prioritizing duties, handling stress and effectively communicating face-to-face and/or over the telephone.
• Must be able to work independently, and flexibly, and as a part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Must be able to manage several interruptions throughout the shift.
• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Must have strong time management skills.
• Must be able to work under pressure while interacting in a helpful, courteous manner with a high degree of patient contact.
• Sufficient hearing, vision and dexterity to perform duties safely.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Physical:

• Activity Up to % Activity Up to %
• Walking 80 Squatting 50
• Standing 80 Pulling 25
• Kneeling 50 Reaching 50
• Sitting 10 Lift 30
• Pushing 25 Wrist/Finger Movements 90
• Bending 50 Climbing 5

Mental:

• Stress Level: Moderate to High

Individual position core competencies:

• Quality
• Service Excellence
• Compassion
• Professionalism
• Fiscal Responsibility

• Required education within first 60 days (if employee is from outside organization).
• GrahamRMC Orientation
• Department Orientation
• 4-6 weeks preceptor training required

• Continuing/Annual Education and Training:
• As needed to maintain certification/ licensure of position
• CPR
• Falling Star Program
• Safety Storm Program

1. Supervision

Employees Supervised: __No__

1. ADA REQUIREMENTS

An ‘X’ under the most appropriate category is marked and describes any extreme or hazardous working conditions that the job has to work under:

• Frequency of Condition

Condition 1-33% 34-66% 67%+

Description

Extreme Heat X

Extreme Cold X

Extreme Swings in Temperature X

Extreme Noise X

Working Outdoors X

Working Indoors X

Mechanical Hazards X

Electrical Hazards X

Explosive Hazards X

Fume/Odor Hazards X

Dust/Mite Hazards X

Chemical Hazards X

Toxic Waste Hazards X

Radiation Hazards X

Wet Hazards X

Heights X

Other Conditions X

OSHA Classification:

• Identify with a check the OSHA Job Category that describes this job. The intent is to enhance worker protection by identifying any risk in the performance of routine and reasonably anticipated job-related functions.

__X___ Category I: Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.

All procedures or other job-related tasks involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues or a potential for spills or splashes of them are Category I tasks. Use of appropriate protective measures, such as gloves, masks, goggles, and gown are required for every employee engaged in Category I tasks.

_____ Category II: Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues but employment may require performing unplanned Category I tasks.

The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate protective measure, such as gloves, masks, goggles, and gown are readily available to every employee engaged in Category II tasks.

_____ Category III: Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and Category I tasks are not a condition of employment.

The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues (although situations can be imagined or hypothesized under which anyone, anywhere might encounter potential exposure to body fluids). Persons who perform these duties are not called upon as part of their employment to perform or assist in emergency medical care or first-aid or to be potentially exposed in some other way. Tasks that involve handling implements or utensils, use of public or shared bathroom facilities or telephone and personal contacts such as handshaking are Category III tasks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The employee will demonstrate continuous commitment to the maintenance of a clean and safe work environment that is compliant with applicable regulatory agency requirements. The employee will follow established infection control procedures.

The employee will ensure the effective and safe use of all equipment used in his/her activities, if applicable.

The competence of the employee in performing his/her job duties is evaluated during orientation to his/her position and will be demonstrated, maintained, and improved on an ongoing basis. The employee will adhere to the assigned schedule and report to work on-time.

The employee shall abide by the requirements set forth in the Code of Conduct and report suspected violations of the Code of Conduct.

The employee will recognize, appreciate and incorporate an employee’s, patient's and patient’s family's unique differences, such as culture, spiritual beliefs, gender, race, ethnicity, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, age, and values, into an individualized plan of care or plan of action.

The statements contained in this position description reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

The job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the company or employee may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.