Job Description

Lexington Regional Health Center

Title: Surgical Services Surgical Technologist

Effective Date: July 22, 2020

Supervisor: Director of Surgical Services

Department: Surgical Services

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Principle duties and responsibilities

1. Under supervision of a Registered Nurse, participates as a member of the surgical services nursing team in the collection of data for use in the preparation of equipment and supplies needed for the surgical procedure and implements nursing interventions identified in the plan of care.
2. Assists in operating room, endoscopy room and sterile processing as assigned.
3. Receives and processes incoming supplies and equipment.
4. Performs decontaminating, cleaning and sterilizing duties.
5. Prepares packs of supplies, linens and instruments in sterile processing as directed.
6. Checks supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedures.
7. Sets up sterile table with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for procedures.
8. Functions in the surgical technologist role by preparing, organizing, and anticipating needed instruments, supplies, and equipment for safe patient care and operative procedures, performs appropriate counts with a Registered Nurse, and cleans and prepares instruments for sterilization according to the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) guidelines.
9. Maintains highest standards of sterile techniques during procedures.
10. Assists other members of team with cleaning and turning over the operating room in preparation for the next case.
11. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.)
12. Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste.
13. Responsible for following safe-injection practices.
14. Responsible for ensuring the patient care environment meets appropriate governing body standards.
15. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.
16. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (TeamSTEPPS, Just Culture, etc.)
17. Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required
18. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Ability to read, write and basic computer and office equipment skills as is typically acquired through the completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.
2. Basic Life Support certification via American Heart Association required within six months of hire.
3. Must have two years prior experience as a Surgical Services Surgical Technologist or complete a sterile processing certification course within one year of hire.
4. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information.
5. Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.
6. Ability to immediately respond to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees, and regulatory agencies.
7. Ability to effectively communicates with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
8. Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities.

Working conditions

1. Required to be able to stand constantly to help assist surgeon as necessary, such as retrieving correct instruments to be used. Patient beds are to be transported up to 200 feet in distance requiring 35 pounds of horizontal force with 2 people assist in moving patients to and from surgery. Lifting up to 35 pounds is required for patient transferring. Transferring patients to beds may require multiple people assist up to 50 pounds to lift and transfer the patient. Surgical pans and equipment that weigh up to 35 pounds are to be transported a distance approximately 60 feet into surgical rooms if needed. 5 pound IV bags are to be lifted up to 65 inches to be placed on poles and for stocking shelves in the surgery area. During patient positioning for draping and sterilization purposes, patient extremities are to be held away from body requiring holding 25 pounds up to 5 minutes. Gross motor UE repetitive frequent use and movement for handling instruments and equipment during surgery. The worker is required to crawl short distances to help assist with cleaning, adjusting equipment, assisting in surgery, and emergency situations that may require short distance crawling as well. To help assist surgery, the worker may be required to attain various body postures/positioning, such as bending, kneeling, crouching, and squatting depending what is needed for that particular surgery. Shelves are to be stocked and equipment to be retrieved from shelves ranging from various heights, reaching overhead consistent with heights equal to that of lifting IV bags onto poles. May be required to push a patient wheelchair, requiring an initial 40 pounds of horizontal force to begin movement of a 300-pound person, and 25 pounds of horizontal force for continued pushing in hallways.
2. Exposure to infections, communicable, and contagious diseases up to 75% of work time. Exposure to risk of bloodborne diseases, high steam pressure and radiological environment up to 75% of work time.
3. Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.
   
4. Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment.

Management responsibilities

1. None

statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.