Surgical Tech Cert. - CMC

Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, more than 9,000 health care professionals, and Lexington Medical Center, a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare and first in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for excellence in nursing care, Lexington Health delivers over 4,000 babies and performs more than 34,000 surgeries annually. The network also includes an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence, the state’s first HeartCARE Center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, and an Alzheimer’s care center. Postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies, as well as an informatics fellowship.

About the Role

The 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 ensures the operating room environment is safe, equipment functions properly, and the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A surgical technologist possesses expertise in sterile and aseptic technique, human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to support a physician’s performance.

Responsibilities

• Performs assigned patient care tasks under the direction of a registered nurse and works under the surgeon’s direction for procedural tasks.
• Assesses and anticipates needed supplies for scheduled and emergent procedures, ensures patient comfort and safety, and anticipates the surgeon’s needs to expedite procedures by passing instruments, sponges, and sutures.
• Prepares the operating room for surgical procedures, including disinfection of furniture and equipment, and arranges the sterile field according to protocol.
• Utilizes equipment and supplies efficiently, charges for and replaces medical and surgical supplies, and maintains inventory by checking, rotating, and reordering supplies as needed.
• Displays dexterity in using surgical instruments and knowledge of step-by-step processes for specific surgical procedures.
• Assists in performing and documenting equipment, drug, and environmental checks as required by policies and regulatory agencies.
• Follows infection control policies and procedures, including decontamination, packaging, and sterilization of instrumentation and supplies.
• Assists in positioning the patient on the operating table, preparing the operative site, and draping the patient at the surgeon’s request.
• Assists the anesthesiologist or anesthetist during administration of anesthetic when necessary.
• Performs duties such as holding retractors, suction, clamping vessels, and applying dressings under the surgeon’s direction.
• Acts as a surgeon’s first or second assistant in the absence of the surgeon’s first assistant (excluding suturing, injecting medications, and cutting tissue).
• Assists in moving the patient to the recovery room post-surgery and prepares the operating room for the next procedure, including disposal of contaminated materials and disinfection of equipment.
• Participates in counts with the circulating nurse to ensure accuracy.
• Collaborates with the Associate Care Manager/Registered Nurse to update the nursing plan of care and recommends interventions to meet patient goals.
• Evaluates and updates surgeon preference cards and notifies appropriate personnel of changes.
• Labels drugs and verifies specimens according to protocol and surgeon preference.
• Documents sterilization procedures and verifies instrument counts.
• Identifies educational needs and participates in peer review and precepting new staff and students.
• Coordinates treatments and procedures to facilitate cost-effective patient care and collaborates with healthcare team members for supply and equipment acquisition.
• Demonstrates accountability for the patient care environment, including reporting malfunctioning equipment and safety matters.
• Reports pertinent patient information to the Associate Care Manager/Registered Nurse.
• Maintains knowledge of emergency protocols, including disaster response, emergency procedures, and surgical set-ups.
• Performs secretarial functions in labor and delivery, including maintaining patient records, ordering lab work, transcribing physician orders, and managing supplies.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

CST Robotic First Assist Role (Specific to Robotics)

• Certified Surgical Technologists with specialized training may function as first assistants to the surgeon in robotic procedures.
• Preoperative: Prepares robotic components, instruments, and accessories for surgery.
• Intraoperative: Assists the surgeon in robotic procedures, ensuring patient and team safety, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and responding to complications, including conversion to open procedures.
• Post-Procedure: Responsible for the initial decontamination of robotic instrumentation and accessories.

Requirements

• Minimum Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Required Certifications/Licensure: National Certification through NBSTSA (other certifications acceptable based on HR policy); CPR Certification.
• Required Training: Completion of a recognized vocational or hospital-based Operating Room Technician course or its equivalent.

Benefits

• Day ONE medical, dental, and life insurance benefits.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• 403(b) match plan with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6%.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to 1x salary; optional supplemental life insurance up to 3x salary at low cost.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan forgiveness.