Job Description

Certified Surgical Technologist

PRN/OCC, Variable Hours and Shifts

With more than 30 specialties from Cardiology and Neurosurgery to Orthopedics and Vascular care, Methodist Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in East Tennessee to offer cutting-edge treatments and technologies that benefit people with life-threatening aneurysms, severely damaged knee, hip and shoulder joints, sudden heart failure, and non-healing wounds.

• 283 licensed beds
• 25 ICU beds
• 12 intermediate care beds
• 38 emergency suites
• 2 cath labs
• 8 LDRP suites
• Over 250 active and courtesy physicians
• Over 800 employees

Job Objectives:

Provide direct nursing care to assigned surgical patients under the direction of a registered nurse, and according to required standards and hospital policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical assistance within the department.
• Assists the surgeon intraoperatively in retracting, suctioning, electrocautery and suturing.
• Initially and continually assesses and identifies patient's needs.
• Selects instruments and equipment accurately and completely.
• Maintains equipment/stock necessary for special assignments.
• Helps provide a safe, comfortable environment for the patient.
• Answers patient's questions informatively and provides information relative to patient's care and treatment.
• Consistently demonstrates principles of infection control to insure safety of patients.
• Immediately reports any break in sterility.
• Reports physical and emotional changes in patient to registered nurse and/or physician.
• Observes and critiques performance of surgical team and reports appropriately.
• Shares in and promptly responds to emergency call.
• Demonstrates cost-consciousness in the use of supplies and equipment.
• NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties as assigned.
• HEALTH/SAFETY/COMPETENCE: Cannot pose a direct threat to health or safety of self or others. Must provide safe, efficient, competent care to customer or patient population assigned. Must demonstrate competency of the unit specific functions described in the performance continuum, skill lists and/or standards.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

Must have successfully completed an accredited surgical technician course. Must have knowledge of human anatomy, the principles of sterile technique and sterile processing, hospital policies and procedures, infection control, fire and safety regulations. For staff involved in the care of age-specific groups, knowledge of the bio-psychosocial needs of adult, geriatric and pediatric patients is essential. Special knowledge is required in growth and development needs of pediatric/geriatric patients where applicable.

Experience:

Previous experience in job specialty is required or preferred depending on the circumstances of the vacancy.

Licensure/Certifications:

Must hold current and active national Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or TS-C certification established by either the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Must be currently certified (or scheduled for certification or recertification training according to department guidelines) in CPR/Provider C.