Surgical Technologist I

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Surgical Technologist I is an entry level professional.
• Incumbents are expected to have a general understanding of procedures being performed and anticipate the needs of the Surgical Team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Preoperative Duties:

• Identifies patient, verifies surgery to be performed with consent forms, and assists in the transport of patient to procedural suite when requested.
• Assists with transferring patient to the operating room table.
• Assists with positioning the patient, using appropriate equipment and anatomical principles to avoid patient injury.
• Gathers, checks and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical/invasive procedure.
• Performs the surgical scrub, and donning gown and gloves with sterile technique.
• Performs initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the RN according to the client policy and procedure.
• Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.
• Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the Time-Out Universal Protocol.
• Secures tubing, cords and other sterile accessories.
• Assists with surgical patient preparedness.

2. Intraoperative/Post-Procedure Duties:

• Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment and supply requirements throughout the procedure.
• Labels, measures, passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the procedure.
• Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgical team.
• Sponges or suctions the operative site as requested.
• Cuts suture material as directed by the surgical team.
• Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgical team.
• Maintains highest standard of sterile technique.
• Performs additional counts as requested or necessary.
• Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices.
• Prepares and passes off specimen(s) according to the client policy and procedure.
• Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization and transport according to the departmental guidelines.
• Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.
• Performs instrumentation counts prior to each procedure (when applicable).
• Maintain active participation in all phases of the Time-Out Universal Protocol according to client policy and procedure.
• Secures dressings after incision closure.
• Ensure all required instrumentation is returned to the Processing Department according to departmental protocol.
• Follows all federal, state and departmental safety procedures

3. Additional Duties:

• Assists other members of the team with turnover cleaning of the surgical or procedural suite;
• Assists in patient monitoring to ensure the comfort of the patient and provides verbal and tactile reassurance to the patient (when applicable);
• Assists in maintaining normothermia;
• Keeps accurate records throughout the procedure;
• Helps transport the patient to the post anesthesia care unit.
• Demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient population.
• Performs other related duties within skill set when assigned
• Endovascular/Open heart experience required.
• Strong working knowledge of aseptic technique.
• Demonstrate the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly vigil for the maintenance of the sterile field.
• Maintain a high level of surgical conscience in professional behavior demonstrating understanding and application of principles of surgical technology and legal, ethical, and moral responsibilities to patients and team members.

Education, Experience and Certifications/ License:

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Graduation from an accredited Surgical Technology Training Program.
• Endovascular/Open heart experience required.
• Possession and maintenance of a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card.
• Appointees not possessing the BLS card must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the BLS card within 60 days of employment.