Surgical Technician

Summary

The Surgical Technician is responsible for assisting in nursing care and surgical services under the Registered Nurse’s supervision. Activities are based on accepted standards of the Operating Room practice and are performed within the scope of education, training, and experience. The Surgical Technician will work to provide excellent care to patients of all ages, from adolescents to geriatrics.

1. Planning:
   
   
   
   • Review the Operating Room schedule to obtain as much patient information as possible
   
   
   • Check doctor’s preference card and assist in keeping preference list current
   
   
   • Assist in collecting the necessary and anticipated instruments, supplies, and equipment for each procedure.
   
   
   
   


2. Scrub Functions:
   
   
   
   • Perform surgical hand scrub in accordance with established policy.
   
   
   • Open only those items required for the case. Leave ‘hold’ items unopened but readily accessible.
   
   
   • Anticipate, identify, prepare, and correctly pass surgical instruments to the surgeon.
   
   
   • Complete laser training and maintain competency in order to effectively and safely operate laser machines when assigned.
   
   
   
   


3. Aseptic Technique:
   
   
   
   • Practice optimal aseptic techniques by performing the following: wearing proper surgical attire and personal protective equipment (PPEs), demonstrating competency in using good hand washing techniques, maintaining competency in isolation techniques according to policy and procedure, and limiting conversations to a minimum.
   
   
   • providing a well-defined margin of safety for the patient.
   
   
   
   


4. Instrument Care
   
   
   
   • Keep instruments free of gross soil during the surgical procedures.
   
   
   • Arrange dirty instruments appropriately in mesh bottom trays before transporting to SPD.
   
   
   
   


5. Sterile Processing
   
   
   
   • Be able to read the test results of the sterilization indicators.
   
   
   • Demonstrates by explanation of the functional operation of the sterilizers in terms of time, temperature, pressure, contact, and humidity.
   
   
   
   


6. Effective Work Behaviors
   
   
   
   • Demonstrates adherence to safety policies and procedures and assists coworkers in compliance to them.
   
   
   • Demonstrates adherence to Human Resources Policies and Procedures, Departmental Policies and Procedures and other relevant Organizational Policies and Procedures. Keeps up to date on all policy and procedure changes.
   
   
   
   


7. Customer Service
   
   
   
   • Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care.
   
   
   • Displays and utilizes good verbal, non-verbal, and written communication, comprehending pertinent issues.
   
   
   
   

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education: High school diploma and successful completion of an accredited Surgical Technology program

Experience: One (1) or more years in an inpatient hospital setting

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Applicant must be BLS certified. CST certification and Virginia registration required.