Surgical Tech, Tacoma (40 hrs)

Monday–Friday (variable days), 10-hour shifts. No call, weekends, or holidays.

About the role

Scrub in for designated surgeries and carry out general O.R. duties, adhering to Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington preoperative nursing care standards, policies, and contract agreements. Collect data and prepare for surgery in accordance with surgeons’ direction or preference. Select and prepare supplies and equipment. Establish and maintain a sterile field.

Responsibilities

• Perioperative planning and preparation: Data collection through interview, record review, or consultation with the health care team. Identify current health-status deviations or problems. Understand preoperative diagnosis, common complications, and operative pathology relating to specific surgical procedures. Maintain current surgical-procedure manuals and/or preference cards.
• Environmental safety and infection control: Wear required attire correctly. Select and prepare necessary supplies and equipment; check all equipment for working order and report or correct unsafe conditions. Prepare the clinical area (damp dust, arrange furniture). Verify integrity and sterility of sterile packages; open supplies aseptically. Establish and maintain a sterile field. Demonstrate correct body mechanics. Comply with policies, procedures, and recommended practices for use, care, and maintenance of supplies and equipment.
• Communication and coordination of care: Communicate effectively with patients, families, and health care team members. Cooperate to accomplish unit workload. Maintain effective communication with supervisor.
• Proficient performance of assigned functions: Identify and correct or report breaks in sterile technique. Display dexterity in the use of surgical instruments. Prepare and know the specific uses of all needed equipment and supplies. Maintain a neat and orderly sterile field. Participate in counting procedures per established policy at appropriate times during the procedure.
• Teamwork: Demonstrate interpersonal skills, effective communication, acceptance of criticism, and willingness to help others. Build relationships characterized by trust, honesty, confidence, and respect. Share pertinent patient data and instrumentation needs. Seek information to maintain efficiency. Recognize limits of individual responsibility while working toward mutual organizational goals. Adhere to the AST Code of Ethics.
• Professional development: Take responsibility for ongoing education and professional development. Identify and pursue formal and informal learning opportunities. Collaborate in completing self and colleague/team performance reviews. Adhere to attendance and punctuality policies. Participate in staff orientation and student activities. Apply QA/I processes to care delivery. Attend professional meetings, conferences, and groups to stay current. Pass annual competency requirements for clinical staff and unit-specific competencies.

Requirements

• Graduate of an approved school of Surgical Technology or equivalent hospital/Armed Forces training.
• Surgical Technologist Registration (Washington state).
• Basic Life Support certification required at hire.
• Communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional affiliation and certification by date of hire/transfer.
• Minimum two years of current, continuous O.R. experience in a surgical specialty.

Pay

$33.35 – $47.99 per hour.

Schedule

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Day shift: 08:00 AM – 06:30 PM (variable days, including possible weekends).
• Worker location: Onsite at Tacoma Specialty Center.