Surgical Tech

About the role

We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could use an expert guide. We work hard, care deeply and reach further to help people uncover their own power to be healthy. We inspire hope. We learn, grow, and achieve more – in our careers and in our communities.

The Surgical Technologist and/or the Certified Surgical Technologist prepares the room and gathers supplies needed for surgical procedures; delivers instruments and supplies to the surgeon and other members of the surgical team intra operatively; may function as second assistant to the surgeon; assists in the proper decontamination of the room, supplies and instruments post operatively.

Responsibilities

• Prepares for surgical cases by obtaining and preparing appropriate supplies, equipment and instruments, reviews surgeon's preferences to determine required items.
• Establishes and maintains a sterile field and presents instruments to the operating team. Delivers appropriate instruments/supplies utilizing proper principles of sterile technique.
• Acts as 2nd assistant to surgeon, performing duties related to draping and operative site exposure.
• Responsible for removal of all sharps and initials return card for verification.
• Can hold extremities. Assist with casting and splinting.
• Mixes medications on the sterile field once verification by a registered nurse has occurred.
• Assist with positioning, can fix specimens in formalin (annual competency required), assists circulator in proper care and handling of surgical specimens.
• Can wash and thaw grafts, can hold a stapler while surgeon fires it, can operate skin stapler for the purpose of wound approximation and can assist with the dislocation of joints if yearly competency is accomplished.
• Can cut suture material as directed by and under the supervision of a surgeon.
• Can apply ESU to clamps or forceps for hemostasis under the direct supervision of the surgeon.
• Can assist anesthesia if yearly competency is accomplished.
• Can assist with patient skin prep if yearly competency is accomplished.
• Can change out camera and robotic instruments during endoscopic procedures under the direct supervision of the surgeon.
• Can manipulate the uterus during robotic cases under the direct supervision of the surgeon.
• Assists in post-procedure cleaning of the OR/equipment, returns equipment/supplies to proper areas; assists in room re-stocking.
• May run dart/biologics for sterilizers (annual competency required), reports any damaged equipment appropriately, mops floor between cases, and ensures that all equipment cords are not frayed and free from cuts as well as other duties as assigned.
• Participates in unit operations to contribute to efficiency of department, effective communication, quality care, personal growth as well as development, training, and orientation of new personnel.
• Maintains all annual unit specific competencies, ACE and PAR requirements.
• Will mentor new associates.

What you can do

• Mix medications on the sterile field, following verification with an RN.
• Deliver medications to the sterile field if an RN is in scrub role.
• Run dart / biologics for sterilizers if annual competency has been met.
• Sterilize instrumentation if annual competency has been met.
• Assist with positioning.
• Hold extremities.
• Check next case cart.
• Perform room turnover and set-up for subsequent cases.
• Assist with casting and splint application/removal.
• Participate in verification of specimen and specimen labeling with Surgery team.
• Fix specimens in formalin as long as annual competency has been met.
• Wash or thaw grafts.
• Assist RN circulator under direct supervision.
• Hold a stapler while the surgeon fires it.
• Cut suture material as directed by and under the supervision of a surgeon.
• Operate the skin stapler for the purpose of wound approximation.
• Assist in the dislocation of joints as long as annual competency has been met.

What you cannot do

• Cannot inject or administer medications, dye and blood product.
• Cannot set up IVs.
• Cannot desiccate tissue.
• Cannot suture.
• Cannot tie suture.
• Cannot use or activate cautery.
• Cannot operate ESU.
• Cannot perform anything invasive.
• Cannot prep patient.
• Cannot access Pyxis for controlled substances.
• Cannot complete documentation for the legal medical record.
• Cannot manipulate or alter grafts.
• Cannot assist anesthesia with airway management and placement of invasive lines.
• Cannot mark surgical site.

Qualifications

• High School or GED.
• BLS - Basic Life Support - American Heart Association.
• Completion of OhioHealth OR ST Fellowship or Graduated from an accredited (CAAHEP) surgical technologist school preferred or equivalent military training or 10+ years' experience as a Surgery Technician.
• ST certification preferred.
• Must demonstrate basic critical thinking skills on their introductory team.
• Perform primary role independently.
• Demonstrate the ability to anticipate surgeon needs and communicates these with staff.
• Identify actual or potential emergency situations and intervene safely with assistance and/or supervision.
• Complete basic skills and competencies in 2-3 service lines as delineated in the Surgery Skill Competency Checklist.
• Independently scrub complex cases in 1-2 assigned service line specialties.

Required knowledge

• Graduate from an accredited (CAAHEP) surgical technologist school preferred or equivalent military training or 10+ years' experience as a Surgical Technician.
• Understanding of procedure performed.
• Anticipate surgeon's needs.
• Have necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care.
• Monitor sterile field.
• Provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, and other technical functions.
• BLS and strong clinical knowledge of OR environment.

Schedule

Day shift, 40 scheduled weekly hours.

Department

Surgery Main