SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST II - CARDIAC TEAM

Sign-on bonus available and student debt program for outstanding school loans.

About the Role

The Surgical Technologist II assists with surgical procedures in the Operating Room as a scrub member of the surgical team under the direction of a Registered Nurse and a surgeon.

Responsibilities

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital/departmental policies, procedures, protocols, and professional standards of care.
• Works directly with the RN to develop and implement an individualized, age-specific plan of care and evaluate its effectiveness.
• Assists the RN in reassessment of the patient's condition and takes appropriate action as indicated or by unit-specific policy.
• Involves the patient/family and other health care providers when appropriate.
• Completes patient care-related activities within scheduled time periods.
• Complies with completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of documentation on O.R. Count Sheet as well as Surgical Site Identification/Verification Checklist.
• Maintains a collaborative relationship with physicians and other health care providers to achieve desired patient outcomes and assure a continuous flow of patient care.
• Communicates pertinent information for interdisciplinary patient care conferences and shift reports.
• Reports changes in the OR schedule, including the need to reassess the needs of the physicians or the OR staff, and confers with the OR CNC when there is a need to alert the physician.
• Participates in unit performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer services.
• Assists in data collection process as requested.
• Recommends modifications for performance improvement.
• Demonstrates leadership abilities by utilizing concepts inherent to the practice of the credo standards.
• Demonstrates an ability to solve problems independently and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
• Maintains accountability for actions taken.
• Effectively functions as a resource person.
• Acts as a patient advocate.
• Performs effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students.
• Assists in maintaining/decreasing organizational/department costs.
• Assists in the department's compliance with State, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies.
• Participates in preparation for continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
• Adheres to the infection control process, including universal precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
• Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies.
• Utilizes two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
• Assumes appropriate code team role during code situations, including internal and external.
• Functions as the scrub member of the surgical team.
• Obtains necessary instruments and supplies from Central Service.
• Performs duties/responsibilities as a central service technician as necessary or assigned.
• Arranges sterile setup for each specific operative procedure coordinating with surgeon preference, especially within the cardiac surgical specialty.
• Updates cardiac physician preference cards.
• Assists in moving, lifting, and positioning the patient.
• Identifies patient-appropriate surgical procedure and site by following policy for the surgical site ID.
• Assists the surgeon in performing the surgical procedure.
• Handles specimens appropriately.
• Performs OR counts accurately and takes appropriate action in response to incorrect counts.
• Maintains the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the surgical team.
• Assists with the cleaning and setting up of surgical cases.
• Follows the principles of asepsis, reporting any breaks in aseptic technique and rectifying the situation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Completion of an accredited Surgical Technology Program.
• Two (2) years’ experience as a Surgical Technologist.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program (can acquire within six (6) months of hire or transfer in unit).
• Act 33 with renewal.
• Act 34 with renewal.
• Act 73 FBI Clearance.
• Act 81 Compliance.

Certifications

Under the Surgical Technologist Regulation Act (House Bill 81 of 2019), the Surgical Technologist (ST) must meet at least one of the following:

• Successful completion of a Surgical Technologist program sponsored by an entity holding nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation and hold and maintain a ST certification from an accredited certification program.
• Successful completion of an appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy, or Air Force.
• Provide evidence of an ST certification from an accredited certification program.
• Was employed to practice surgical technology by the health care facility on or before December 29, 2020.
• Was employed to practice surgical technology as the individual's primary function in another health care facility at any time during the two years immediately preceding December 29, 2020.

A healthcare facility may employ or contract an individual to practice surgical technology during the six-month period immediately following successful completion of a surgical technology program, but may not continue employment beyond that period without documentation that the individual has obtained certification as required.

Continuing education requirements:

• An ST employed or contracted with the facility and not certified under section 501(1)(i) or has let the individual's certification lapse shall complete 30 hours of relevant continuing education every two years.
• The facility must verify that the ST meets the continuing education requirements.

Work Environment

• Effective March 2020 or during a pandemic: goggles, face shield, and mask are required according to CDC guidelines.
• When lift requirement is in excess of 50 lbs, lift assistance (2-person) and/or transfer device is required.

Physical Demands

Frequency definitions:

• Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
• Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or 32-200 reps/shift.
• Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
• Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition Essential Marginal Constantly Frequently Occasionally Rarely Extreme Heat Extreme Cold Heights Confined Spaces Extreme Noise (>85dB) Mechanical Hazards X Use of Vibrating Tools Operates Vehicle (company) Operates Heavy Equipment Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices X Rotates All Shifts X 8 Hours Shifts X 10-12 Hours Shifts X On-Call X Overtime (+8 hrs/shift;