Certified Surgical Technician

About the role

Assists in the implementation of nursing care and services for the surgical patient under the supervision of a registered nurse. Plans and implements basic surgical case management of instruments, supplies and equipment by following age-specific and procedure-specific care guidelines. Assumes responsibility for "on call" coverage. Performs duties in a professional manner consistent with hospital policies and procedures, Operating Room Standards and current state and federal regulations. Utilizes initiative and strives to maintain a steady level of productivity.

Responsibilities

• Implements plan of care providing indirect interventions.
• Creates and maintains a sterile field.
• Uses principles of aseptic technique in varying situations.
• Inspects sterile items for contamination before opening.
• Recognizes unseen boundaries between sterile and unsterile.
• Performs scrub duties.
• Performs all sponge, sharp, and instruments counts with a RN.
• Prepares for use instruments, equipment, suturing and stapling devices.
• Saves and identifies all specimens according to policy and procedure.
• Under direction of registered nurse prepares medications within the sterile field.
• Prepares room in a timely manner with anticipated equipment, instruments, supplies, and sutures for each individual procedure utilizing surgeon’s preference card.
• Reviews OR schedule for potential scheduling conflicts.
• Uses supplies judiciously in a cost-effective manner.
• Keeps director informed about reportable incidents and departmental concerns.
• Maintains two-way communication in a professional manner including: Keeping charge nurse informed, Maintaining good rapport with staff.
• Performs and/or assists with clinical preceptor role. Instructs students. Presents/assists with Operating Room staff in-service presentations.
• Attends/completes continuing education programs with a special emphasis on programs related directly to Operating Room services, procedures, and equipment.
• Attends and participates in a minimum of three staff meetings a year.
• Cleans assigned room between procedures. Room is restocked as needed at end of day.
• Adheres to sanitation policy and procedure. Sharps disposal. Separation of trash (contaminated, clean.). Treats and bags contaminated instruments and returns to CPD. Requests housekeeping at case end; assures that room has been cleaned within 15 minutes of notification. Promptly removes all malfunctioning equipment/devices/instruments from service. Maintains adequate inventory based on PAR levels. Orders replacement items based on PAR levels.
• Maintains compliance with department "call" coverage and complies with "call-in" times and policies.

Qualifications

• Completion of a surgical technology program.
• Certified Surgical Technologist through The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) OR Tech in Surgery certification (TS-C) through National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
• CPR certification.

Experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Two (2) years experience working in an OR setting

Skills And Abilities

• Ability to follow strict sterile technique.
• Ability to set up operating room with instruments and supplies for scheduled cases and pass to and from surgeon during procedures.
• Knowledge of and adherence to strict aseptic and sterile techniques.

Physical Requirements

• Capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds and push/pull heavy loaded carts up to 200 pounds.
• Possess visual, hearing, and oral acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability.

Working Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• May be exposed to communicable diseases.