Surgical Support Technician, Operating Room, Rotating

Company Description

Experience the highest level of appreciation at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center — named Top Workplace in the Baltimore area by The Baltimore Sun two years in a row (2019 & 2020); Top Workplace in the USA for 2021!  As part of the acclaimed University of Maryland Medical System, our facility is one of three ANCC Pathway to Excellence® designated hospitals in Maryland. UM BWMC features one of the state’s busiest emergency departments, as well as a team of experts who care for our community and one another. 

The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UMBWMC) provides the highest quality health care services to the communities we serve. Our medical center is home to leading-edge technology, nationally recognized quality, personalized service and outstanding people. We have 285 licensed beds and we’re home to 3,200 employees and over 800 physicians.

Our expert physicians and experienced, compassionate staff are connected to medical practices in the local community as well as at University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore. For patients, this means access to high-quality care and research discoveries aimed at improving Maryland’s health.  Our physicians and nursing staff specialize in emergency, acute, medical-surgical and critical care. In addition, our medical center is home to many Centers of Excellence, offering expert outpatient health care.

Job Description

ROTATING DAY/EVE Shift - 645a-315p, 645a-515p, 11a-7p, 11p-7a

General Summary

This role supports a safe, clean, and well-prepared surgical environment by assisting with patient transport, specimen transport, equipment setup, and maintaining sterile conditions. Prepares operating rooms, manages supplies, and responds to emergent needs as directed. Maintains effective communication with patients, staff, and healthcare teams, and adheres to infection control protocols and safety standards.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.
1. Establishes and maintains courteous and effective relationships with patients, visitors, co-workers, and other members of the health care team; demonstrates sensitivity and awareness to the needs of patients, visitors and co-workers and responds promptly to verbal and/or written instructions.

2. Transfers patient from bed, chair, wheelchair, OR table, or stretcher with devices in “locked” position.

3. Uses appropriate body mechanics in moving, lifting and transporting surgical equipment and instrumentation.

4. Transports surgical patients when other team members are not available.

5. Transports and provides surgical instruments, equipment and supplies for surgical cases when needed. Assists in opening sterile supplies as directed by OR team.

6. Assists in arranging the OR suite for surgery. Assists in the transfer of patients from stretcher to the operating room (OR) table. Under the direction of the circulating nurse, sets up equipment and supplies appropriate for the surgical procedure.

7. Maintains cleanliness in assigned areas which includes operating room suites and sub-sterile areas, and other specified locations.

8. Follows infection control policies and implements categories of isolation per departmental standard precautions and expanded precautions (i.e. contact, droplet, airborne).

9. Applies aseptic technique when carrying out procedures or following unit protocols that require sterile conditions.

10. Follows Hazardous waste precautions. Decontaminates furniture and equipment with appropriate solutions. Disposes of contaminated laundry, trash and suction material.

11. Functions in the role of surgical support technologist using standards and recommendations as directed.

12. Demonstrates aseptic technique using the standard Universal precautions. Maintains a sterile environment in accordance with aseptic techniques.

13. Maintains patient safety during positioning including the lithotomy position, the prone position, and the lateral position.

14. Anticipates equipment conflicts; respond to urgent and emergent needs with alternative solution to ensure surgical team and circulator supported throughout the case.

15. Identifies Personal Protective Equipment and its indicated uses. Must wear appropriate surgical attire according to policy in (and out) of the surgical environment (i.e. hat, shoe covers, scrubs, etc.).

16. Transports and receive specimens to/from the Laboratory department as needed (i.e. blood, blood products and pathology samples).

17. Facilitates the transport and storage o