Job Description

About Us: Founded in 2004 by local physicians, Animas Surgical Hospital has been an integral part of the Four Corners region for more than two decades. Our goal has never been to be the only hospital in Durango but to be the best option for surgery, diagnostic imaging, emergency care, occupational medicine, and internal medicine.

Our Mission: To provide innovative, exceptional healthcare that patients recommend, physicians prefer, and employees are proud of.

Job Title: Surgical Technologist Certified Surgical Technologist

Job Summary: Under the supervision of the OR RN Supervisor or Director of Surgical Services, this position establishes and maintains a sterile field, prepares medical equipment, instruments and supplies for surgical procedures. Assists with surgical patient care under the direction of an RN or physician.

Reports To: OR RN Supervisor and Director of Surgical Services

Hourly range: $26.31 to $39.16 (posted hourly range excludes overtime and bonuses which are not guaranteed)

Essential Job Functions:

• Prior to surgery case, verifies supplies, equipment and instruments are readily available for procedure.
• Pulls case materials accurately and completes checklists appropriately.
• Communicates any noted deficiencies in equipment or supplies to the Service Line Coordinator or OR RN Supervisor.
• Prepares room, utilizing preference cards and resource people to maintain competency level.
• Independently prepares the operating suite/sterile field for the intraoperative experience.
• Recognizes and modifies case setup based on specific patient needs or surgeons’ request. Responds to surgical emergencies and follows hospital wide emergency management plans.
• Participate in timeout process prior to every surgical procedure.
• Performs all required instruments, sharps, and sponge counts. Follows policies and procedures for incorrect counts and reports discrepancies appropriately. Performs additional counts as necessary.
• Assists with establishing the sterile field and draping the patient.
• Performs activities based on principles of sterility, aseptic technique, infection control, universal precautions guidelines, environmental control, and life safety guidelines.
• Anticipates needs of surgeon and patient.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills, ability to prioritize activities and integrate experiences when performing the scrub role.
• Under supervision of an RN or physician, demonstrates ability to prepare medications for procedures.
• Knows routine drugs used intra-operatively, dosages, and/or concentration and appropriate route of administration.
• Labels drugs and solutions; monitors quantities used.
• Maintains sterile field and always utilizes sterile technique when setting up and participating in surgical cases.
• Prepares and is knowledgeable about the specific uses of equipment, instrumentation and supplies used for surgical procedures.
• Operates complex equipment and other resources in the operating room, troubleshooting as necessary.
• Inspects equipment and instruments for defects or breakage prior to case, during case and at the end of procedure.
• Immediately tags defective or malfunctioning equipment and removes from service and delivers to appropriate location or person as indicated.
• Ensures equipment incident form is filled out and submitted
• Performs room turnover, including case breakdown, room cleaning, and room set up.
• Is competent in sterile processing processes and procedures.
• Differentiates and demonstrates knowledge of sterilization methods required for instruments or equipment.
• Reprocesses surgical instruments per manufacture IFU.
• Functions independently in all areas of sterile processing, including decontamination.
• Communicates and ensures that preference cards are accurate and updated.
• Works collaboratively with OR team to ensure accuracy of cards.
• Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.
• Acts professionally and respectfully to all members of the surgical team.
• Demonstrates the spirit of the philosophy, mission, and values of the hospital through words and actions and implements them into departmental processes, programs, and the working environment.
• Applies the principles and values of customer service and continuous quality improvement while performing day-to-day activities of the position.
• Maintains and protects confidentiality regarding all aspects of patient care, personnel and strategic issues. Adheres to Confidentiality Policy.
• Maintains positive working relationships and fosters a cooperative work environment. Adheres to the hospital’s Guidelines for Appropriate Conduct in the HR Manual.
• Displays honesty and mutual respect when communicating with peers and other departments.
• Follows through on problems that may compromise effective job performance by using an appropriate chain of command.

Additional Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates the spirit of the philosophy, mission, and values of the hospital through words and actions and implements them into departmental processes, programs, and the working environment.

Minimum Requirements

Education: High School Diploma or its equivalent; completion of accredited school of surgical technology or the equivalent in clinical surgery training and experience.

If you do not possess the required educational qualifications, Animas Health will provide access to an approved educational program and will cover the associated costs necessary to obtain the required qualification.

Certification, Licensure: Current CPR certification; DORA registered

Experience: 2 years surgical experience preferred.

Physical Requirements

Position requires lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to fifty (50) pounds while administering patient care; stooping, kneeling and/or crouching; standing and walking twelve (12) or more hours per day; reaching, grasping, and handling and/or feeling twelve (12) or more hours per day. Visual acuity to correctly distinguish skin tone variations, evidence of IV infiltration, infection and to read blood pressure gauges, etc; audio acuity to correctly distinguish various body sounds, i.e. respirators, heart sounds, bowel sounds and to discern sounds made by various types of machinery or equipment which would indicate dangerous or improper operation.

Working Conditions/Environmental Exposures

Environmental hazards such as chemicals, solvents, needles, needle containers, sharps, blood, body fluids, various infectious/communicable diseases, infectious medical waste, radiation, and/or radioactive materials and/or radioactive waste, proximity to moving mechanical parts. Protective clothing/equipment may be necessary.

Animas Health Immunizations and Vaccinations Requirements

Aligns with CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for Healthcare Personnel

• Hepatitis B- Lab evidence of immunity (titer) to Hepatitis B or three doses Hep B vaccine at appropriate intervals
• Influenza- documentation of current seasonal flu vaccine (mandatory from November 1st through March 31st each year)
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella - Lab evidence of immunity (titer) to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella or 2 doses of MMR Vaccination
• Varicella (chickenpox) - Lab evidence of immunity (titer) to Varicella or 2 doses of Varicella Vaccine
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) - documented proof of immunization
• Tuberculosis Screening - Documentation of a two-step TB skin test within the past year OR lab verification of a negative TB Gold or T-Spot tuberculin test within the past 6 months

*Vaccine records or evidence of immunity are required prior to 1st day of scheduled work.

Animas Health is a drug free workplace and performs a pre-employment drug screen which includes marijuana.

We Offer Competitive Pay and Benefits

Employment with us provides competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth.

Eligible employees enjoy:

• Health, Vision and Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Education and Tuition benefits
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts
• Additional optional benefits

Where You Will Work: Click here to learn more about Durango, Co.