Student Surgical Technologist

Operating Room  
PRN
AM/PM Shift 
PRN

Consistently named best hospital, Lexington Medical Center dedicates itself to providing quality health services that meet the needs of its communities. Ranked #1 in the Columbia metro area by U.S. News & World Report, Lexington Medical Center is the only hospital named one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina and the first hospital in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for excellence in nursing care.

The 607-bed teaching hospital anchors a health care network that includes six community medical centers and employs more than 8,700 health care professionals. The network includes a cardiovascular program recognized by the American College of Cardiology as South Carolina’s first HeartCARE CenterTM and an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence affiliated with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center for research and education. The network also features an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, an Alzheimer’s care center and nearly 80 physician practices.  Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year.

 

 

 

 

Job Summary

Allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings. The student surgical technologist works under the supervision of the registered nurse and medical staff to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and minimally invasive surgical procedures. This individual works to ensure that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A student surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Minimum Years of Experience: None.
Substitutable Education & Experience: None.
Required Certifications/Licensure: CPR certification
Required Training: Currently enrolled in accredited Surgical Tech or Operation Room Technician course;
Display dexterity in the use of surgical instruments;
Displays knowledge of decontamination, packaging and sterilization of instrumentation.

Essential Functions

• Will perform assigned patient care tasks under the direction and supervision of a designated Registered Nurse.
• Demonstrates ability to provide comfort and safety measures in accordance with unit standards:  Orients patient to environment; Recognizes need for safety measures and takes appropriate action to prevent injury; Provides interventions consistent with patient condition, medical and nursing plans of   care that are within their scope of practice and clinical skill level.
• Works with the Surgical Team and anesthesia personnel, assists in positioning the patient on the operating table, prepares and/or assists in the preparation of the operative site, drapes, or assists in draping the patient, at the request of the surgeon.
• During an operation performs as a member of the surgical team by anticipating the needs of the surgeon to expedite the procedure by passing instruments, sponges and suture.  At appropriate clinical skill level, under the direction of the surgeon performs such duties as holding retractors, suctioning, applying dressings, etc.
• Acts as a surgeon's first or second assistant in the absence of the surgeon's first assistant within their realm of practice (except suturing, cutting tissue, or closing wound) under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and designated surgical team.
• Participates in counts with the circulating nurse to assure that all counts are correct.
• Observes for break in technique and takes corrective action.
• Upon completion of the surgery, assists in moving the patient off the operating table onto the stretcher and transporting to the recovery room.  Assists in clearing the operating room for the next procedure including disposal of contaminated linen and waste, cleaning instruments when necessary and disinfecting equipment.
• Assists designated surgical team with implementation of emergency protocol in the event of a disaster in the operating room, emergency procedure and surgical set-ups necessary to manage an emergency.
• Demonstrates knowledge of policies and procedures effecting practice.
• Maintains confidentiality of patients, personnel and system information.
• Maintains and respects patients' privacy.
• Respects patient