Surgical Technologist

About the role

The Surgical Technologist position at Houston Methodist requires novice to competent knowledge and skills necessary to carry out delegated tasks associated with the safe and efficient operating room support functions and related procedures. This position records data established by policy and procedure and reports observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse.

Responsibilities

• Assists the surgeon during surgical procedures, performing the surgical tech role in the provision of surgical assistance during a variety of surgical procedures including but not limited to, as appropriate: orthopedics, gynecology, general, ENT, ophthalmology, urology, spine, neurology, oral/maxillofacial, and minimally invasive procedures.
• Supports the circulating RN with sponge, instrument, needle, and other surgical counts.
• Accurately communicates updates for surgeon preference cards.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.). Successful completion of an accredited Surgical Technology program or military training equivalency.
• Experience: None.
• Licenses and Certifications: Required - Certification: CST or CSA or TS-C and BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
• Demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of hospital database such as EPIC. Ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system.
• Demonstrates understanding of medical terminology.
• Knowledge of surgical procedures, case progression, pertinent observations, and possible complications.
• Demonstrates knowledge and competent use of procedure equipment and instruments sets and use of various surgical instruments.
• Demonstrates knowledge of surgical supplies, use of and restocking of supplies.
• Demonstrates appropriate skills of sterile technique.
• Demonstrates competency in decontamination and use of autoclave equipment.

Essential Functions

• People Essential Functions: Establishes a working relationship with all members of the operating room team and interprofessional health care team, based on trust, honesty, confidence and respect to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
• Service Essential Functions: Assists in prepping room, equipment and supplies to accommodate planned procedures. Gathers all instruments and supplies for each assigned procedure and ensures that the set-up is ready before surgeon scrubs.
• Quality/Safety Essential Functions: Prepares the operating room for surgical procedures, ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely. Assists with the care of instruments, equipment, and supplies following surgical procedure. Maintains the sterile field for surgical procedures by preparing sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment using sterile technique. Reports observed variances in practices, established hospital and department policies, procedures, and standards to department management, reporting near misses.
• Finance Essential Functions: Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.
• Growth/Innovation Essential Functions: Participates in department projects and shared governance activities. Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond novice competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.