Surgical Tech

Functions and Responsibilities:

Reflects The Surgery Center's Mission by providing competent, convenient, cost-effective, quality surgical care. Reflects the values of teamwork, trust, respect, and confidentiality. Performs a variety of duties as a member of the surgical team. Is involved in all types of cases performed at The Surgery Center including Orthopedic, Spine, ENT, and local cases on pediatric and adult populations.

Supervision Exercised:

None

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

High School diploma or equivalent and CPR training are required.

Certification:

Graduate of an accredited training program. Certification (CST) preferred. Must attain and maintain credentials as a first assist.

Experience:

One year applicable experience required. Suturing/closing skills preferred. Willing to train the right new grad candidate.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Must be able to work with minimal supervision, prioritize work by order of importance, and work effectively under stress and in a variety of surgical environments. Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Must be able to take action or make decisions on the spot, sometimes with incomplete information. Must be able to support team members by stepping in whenever necessary to handle additional duties.

Key Result Areas:

• Demonstrates a high level of competency in the areas of surgical assistance, including but not limited to retraction, suturing, tying of ligatures, and placing of laparoscopic trocars under the direct supervision of a surgeon.
• Prepares for next day scheduled procedures by pulling cases, by using surgeon's preference cards to assure that all necessary supplies, instruments and equipment are available. Labels cases and prepares "needs list" accurately.
• Demonstrates appropriate sterile and aseptic techniques, at all times in the Surgery suite during surgical procedures.
• Performs scrub technician and surgery assistant function according to AORN/AST Recommended Practices and unit policies.
• Performs appropriate hand scrub at beginning of day and for each case thereafter.
• Dons sterile dress appropriately, using closed glove techniques.
• Demonstrates set-up and maintenance of the sterile field for all assigned cases.
• Demonstrates instrument set-up, arranging instrumentation, equipment and supplies on the mayo and back table(s) as appropriate for the assigned case and according to AORN/AST Recommended Practices, the Surgery Center's policy, and the surgeon's preference card.
• Anticipates needs of the surgeon and other members of the surgical team, such as instrumentation, sponges, sutures, suction and bovie (intra-operatively).
• Passes instruments to members of the surgical team in a safe manner and in such a way as not to divert attention away from the operative field, whenever possible.
• Handles sharps appropriately, per policy, so as to safeguard other members of the surgical team.
• Manages the operative field, including drapers, equipment, instrumentation, and personnel during the procedure and in a manner which assures maintenance of the sterile field.
• Assists in observing the patient, during the operative procedure, for complications such as hemorrhage. Furnishes equipment and supplies to provide for optimum patient outcome.
• Handles specimens per the Surgery Center's policy.
• Assists in application of sterile dressing prior to removal of drapes from field.
• Prepares clean and contaminated instruments and supplies utilized in the Surgery suite for transport, in an appropriate manner, and transports to decontamination for processing and re-sterilization.
• Demonstrates care of delicate instrumentation by proper handling and storage of instruments used on assigned cases.
• Assists in disinfecting, cleaning, and preparing for sterilization, any instruments, equipment, and supplies utilized at the Surgery Center.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to operate equipment used in processing, including instrumentation such as ultrasonic cleaner, washer-disinfector, Steris and autoclave, using the appropriate settings.
• Assists in Surgery suite maintenance including case preparation, turn-over, and terminal cleaning. Follows AORN/AST Recommended Practices and the Surgery Center's policy.
• Assists with inventory control and stocking of supplies.
• Assists visitors, staff, patients, and physicians, utilizing good guest relations.
• Acts as a resource person to other members of the staff.
• Adheres to all infection control policies including OSHA guidelines for Universal Precautions for exposure to blood and body fluids, utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and sharps handling.
• Assists in orientation of new personnel, students, and approved program participants by explaining and demonstration techniques and methods used in the Surgery Center's units and answering questions appropriately.
• Participates in the Quality Improvements Program activities including identification of aspects of care, collection and analysis of data, formulation of recommendations, implementation of an improvement plan and evaluation of the process.
• Attends the Surgery Center meetings and educational opportunities.
• Prioritizes job responsibilities to facilitate optimum patient care and utilization of resources.
• Demonstrates flexibility in meeting the needs of the Surgery Center and the clinical units.
• Maintains all required certifications and credentialing. Performs effectively in an emergency situation.

Maintains strict patient and professional confidentiality.