Job Description

Job Title: Surgical Technologist

Position Type: Full time

Details: Days / Monday – Friday / No Call / No Holidays

Job Summary:

Under the direction from nursing personnel and physician providers, the Surgical Scrub Technician performs direct patient care activities; assisting in patient preparation for surgery/procedure; performs tasks related to the procedure; and assists in maintaining a clean, organized and prepared work environment. Will have a working knowledge of all operating/procedure room equipment, including emergency equipment used in Code situations. Will maintain a working knowledge of surgical instruments used by the surgeons in the center, along with the care, maintenance and knowledge of various sterilization techniques used in the processing of the instrumentation.

Employment Classification:

Non-exempt

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Philosophy

a) Supports the facility’s ideology, mission, goals, and objectives

b) Performs in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures

c) Follows the facility’s standards for ethical business conduct

d) Conducts self in a professional manner, and as a positive role model and team member

e) Recognizes patients’ rights and responsibilities and supports them in performance of job duties

f) Respects patients’ right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality

g) Participates in facility committees, meetings, in-services, inventory and activities

h) Maintains professional relationships with management and medical staff

2. Communication

a) Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, visitors, physicians, and coworkers

b) Interacts with others in a positive, respectful, and considerate manner

c) Displays the ability to comprehend and interpret verbal orders and direction

d) Displays skill in oral and written communication techniques

3. Financial practices

a) Uses facility resources appropriately and avoids wasteful practices

b) Reports wasteful practices

c) Analyzes work area and makes recommendations for potential cost-effective improvements

4. Compliance program

a) Contributes to the progress and development of the organization’s adopted compliance program

b) Performs according to established compliance policies and procedures

5. Performance-improvement program

a) Contributes to the progress and development of the organization's adopted performance-improvement program

b) Performs according to established performance-improvement policies and procedures

6. Safety/risk-management program

a) Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities

b) Reports observed or suspected safety violations, hazards, and policy/procedure noncompliance to the safety officer or other designated person

7. Professional competence

a) Participates in continuing education and other learning experiences

b) Shares knowledge gained in continuing education with staff

c) Maintains membership in relevant professional organizations

d) Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities

e) Welcomes suggestions and recommendations

8. Duties

a) Performs specified functions to meet the requirements of each approved procedure

b) Assembles supplies and equipment for scheduled procedures according to physicians’ preference cards

c) Inspects equipment for proper working condition

d) Follows principles of aseptic technique and prescribed operating/procedure room procedures

e) Adheres to aseptic technique when opening sterile packages and preparing for the procedure

f) Arranges instruments according to given procedure

g) Confirms that instruments work properly

h) Maintains availability of instruments and supplies to avoid delays

i) Reports observed or suspected breaks in sterile technique and takes action according to policy

j) Correctly uses, cares for, cleans, and sterilizes instruments, supplies, and equipment as directed

k) Handles equipment and instruments correctly to provide appropriate availability and safety

l) Assists in maintaining adequate supplies in the operating room for immediate access during procedure

m) Assists in storing and stocking supplies as directed

n) Maintains and updates instrument cards and surgeons’ preference cards

o) Responds in a timely manner to meet the needs of the patient and physician

p) Accurately advises others responsible for care of the patient about the patient’s status

Requirements

Qualifications:

1. Cooperative work attitude toward co-employees, management, patients, visitors, and physicians

2. Ability to promote favorable facility image with physicians, patients, insurance companies, and general public

3. Ability to make decisions and solve problems

Requirements:

Required

1. Graduate from Surgical Technology program from an accredited school

2. Operating room experience

3. CPR / AED and First Aid

4. Certification in Surgical Technology

Preferred

1. Two years of previous operating room experience

Job quality requirements:

1. Accuracy

2. Attention to detail

3. Timeliness

4. Organization

5. Little supervision needed to accomplish tasks

Dependability:

1. Attendance

2. Punctuality

3. Ability to follow instructions

4. Ability to meet deadlines

Physical/mental Requirements:

1. Ability to sit/stand for long periods; ability to walk

2. Capability for occasional overhead and low reaching

3. Physical strength for equipment needs and patient-care activities

4. Visual and auditory acuity for timely response and patient-care assessment activities

5. Ability to move quickly in response to patient needs

6. Ability to make frequent judgments and respond to routine problems

7. Ability to make occasional judgments and respond to disasters or emergencies, actual events, or drills

Working conditions (environmental):

1. Well lit and ventilated, with non-hazardous and hazardous equipment

2. Category I: involves occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious body fluids and materials

Reports to:

Clinical Director

Contacts:

1. Patients

2. Patients’ family/significant others

3. Physicians and physician office personnel

4. Facility personnel

5. Vendors

6. Clinical Director