Southeast. Always the right career direction.

Job Description Summary

The Surgical Technologist assists the surgery team with preparations for surgical procedures and handling of instruments, supplies and equipment needed during the procedure. Technologist has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil in maintaining a sterile environment.

Job Description

Essential Functions

• Dons operating room attire and personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Gathers, checks, and opens supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedures
• Sets up the sterile table/tray with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure.
• Performs the surgical scrub, assists the surgical team with gowning and gloving.
• Prepare operating rooms for surgery
• Ready patients for surgery, by draping patient, and washing and disinfecting incision sites.
• Assists the Registered Nurse (RN) in providing care to patients of all ages undergoing surgical procedure
• Help surgeons during surgery by passing them instruments and other sterile supplies
• Maintains a sterile environment to prevent patient infection
• Count supplies, such as surgical instruments, to ensure that no foreign objects are retained in patients.
• Uses equipment and supplies appropriately to ensure maximum productivity and cost containment
• Sterilizes equipment and make sure that there are adequate supplies for surgery
• Completes special assignments including cleaning, stocking of work areas, equipment and checking outdates.
• Assists in preparing the operating room for the next patient.
• Performs accurate and legible documentation on all required records and reports in an efficient, effective and timely manner.
• Performs accurate count procedures and is compliant to the departmental Policy and Procedure. 
• Performs other duties as requested by primary manager that do not compromise moral code of conduct or protocols set in place for patient or employee safety

Supervised Positions

• None

Qualifications

Minimum Education Required

• High school graduate or equivalent;
• Graduate of a Surgical Technology Program

Minimum Education Preferred

• Eligibility to fulfill all requirements to become nationally recognized as a Certified Surgical Technologist.

Minimum Experience Required

• Has fulfilled the training requirements of an Operating Room Technologist Student.

Minimum Experience Preferred

• One (1) to two (2) years of surgery experience in an acute hospital setting

Required Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities

• Strong understanding of surgical technology and surgical procedure.
• Staying up-to-date on surgical technology, medical terminology, and procedures.
• Maintain current certifications attained.
• Successful course completion in Basic Cardiac Life Support.
• Annual completion of "Unit Specific" Competency requirements as delineated in unit specific competency tool.
• Demonstrates responsibility for educational requirements as evidenced by reading all assigned related references, and attending all required educational meetings, or webinars, and completing annual Symplr requirements.
• Staying abreast of advancing and emerging technologies and techniques to remain effective in the role.
• Ability to work well with surgeons, surgical assistants, nurses and general surgical team.
• Demonstrates appropriate utilization of supplies.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population served.  Interprets data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's age specific needs and provides appropriate care based on these needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively in an emergency situation.
• Ability to speak in a professional yet kind and patient manner with patients.
• Independently handles communications in a manner which decreases conflict.
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function appropriately under stressful situations. 
• Communicates with patients, families and other team members to meet needs of the patient.
• Demonstrates ability to work with patients, families, visitors, and co-workers regardless of race, gender, disease process, life-style, religious or cultural beliefs.