Surgery - Surgical Technologist

Monday - Friday 6:45am - 3:15pm w/on call rotation

Surgical Technologist
Essential Functions:
1. Initiate CPR.    
2. Communicates effectively with patient and/or family.    
3. Reports significant information to appropriate person.     
4. Collection of patient care information.    
5. Communicates with co-worker clearly and concisely.    
6. Organizes and prioritizes work to complete daily assignment.    
7. Competently performs the duties of the Surgical Technologist.    
8. Performs specific tasks under the direct supervision and guidance of the perioperative registered nurse.    
9. Demonstrates knowledge of principles of aseptic technique in the set-up of the sterile field with needed supplies and instruments according to policy and procedure.    
10. Anticipate the needs of the sterile team members so that supplies, instruments, and equipment are readily available.    
11. Follows infection control procedures and policies.    
12. Checks all supplies, equipment and instruments to ensure that all necessary items are present and in working condition prior to surgery.    
13. Cleans work area prior to end of shift, completes ongoing cleaning and reordering assignments throughout the department.    
14. Assists circulator with collection, labeling and transporting of specimens and cultures according to policy and procedures.    
15. Is able to demonstrate knowledge of and provide assistance in proper patient positioning for specific surgical procedures.  Assists with patient transfer and transportation, with attention to ergonomics.    
16. Demonstrates knowledge of intraoperative accountability by conducting instrument, sponge, and sharps counts according to policy and procedure.    
17. Participates in quality assurance, assessment and improvement activities.    
18. Is accountable to maintain competency in use of equipment and medical devices.    
19. Maintains and updates physician preference cards.    
20. Participates in the orientation of new departmental employees.    
21.  Performs other duties as assigned.    

Non-Essential Functions:
22. Scheduling of surgical procedures.    

Qualifications:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:        
Will be oriented to and maintain competence in working with patients in the following age categories:    
   Med/Surg/Skilled/ICU:  Infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
   OB: Neonate, adolescent, and adult patients.
   OR, ED:  Neonate, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
Competence at the beginning of employment will be measured through observation and demonstration during orientation.  Ongoing competence will be measured through observation of clinical practice, observation for performance evaluation, competency in-service.  See attached sheet for other initial and ongoing competence required by each department.      
Education:        
Graduate of an accredited school for Surgical Technologists or previous experience as a Surgical Technologist.        
Experience:        
Must possess current clinical experience or be a new graduate.  Prefer minimum of one year's experience in pertinent clinical specialty.        
Certification/Licensure:        
Association of Surgical Technologists certification preferred.          
Code Blue Training:        
A minimum training level of BLS is required.        

Physical Demands:
May require frequent standing (five or more hours a day), walking, bending, and grasping.  Requires occasional sitting.  Requires lifting and carrying up to 55 lbs.  May also require pushing and pulling up to 55 lbs.  Job requires full range of body motion, with occasional twisting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, and reaching.  Job may require reaching overhead.  Job requires ability to handle and lift patients.  Eye-hand coordination, and finger and manual dexterity are required.  Requires corrected hearing and vision to a normal range.  Job requires working under stressful conditions and/or irregular hours.  Some exposure to communicable diseases, sharps, and hazardous material is anticipated.  Job requires potential exposure to body fluids and radiation.  Requires the ability to distinguish letters and symbols.  Use of office equipment such as telephones, copying machines, computers, fax machines, and intercom may be required. Repetitive movements such as writing are required.        

Working Conditions:
Includes working weekends and holidays, with potential for varied shifts, overtime, cost containment absent days, or standby time.  O.R. personnel are required to rotate on-call duty for emergency surgery.