Surgical Technologist

Summary:  Supports the interdisciplinary plan of care through acceptance and implementation of physician preference cards.  Participates in the intraoperative phase of surgical intervention by ensuring safe and therapeutically effective patient care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following; other duties may be assigned.

• Prepares operating room with instruments and supplies appropriate to type of operation to be performed
• Arranges instruments and other articles in specific order, placing those used immediately on portable table near surgeon
• Has thorough knowledge of all sutures and instruments that are used
• Prepares “opening” sutures prepared before case begins
• Gowns and gloves the surgeon when they walk into OR from scrub sink
• Dresses and scrubs appropriately for operations; strictly adhering to sterile technique
• Separates dirty items from clean ones
• Disinfects dirty instruments
• Wraps & dates items to be sterilized
• Wears appropriate attire
• Runs & documents sterilizer use
• Performs biological monitoring and documentation per policy and procedure
• Monitors sterile indicators
• Assists Manager with collecting data for PI
• Properly cares for and stores instruments and supplies
• Recognizes and reports equipment in need of repair
• Meets the needs of the surgeon through skillful recognition of sequential steps on operative procedure
• Anticipates surgeon’s needs for instruments, sponges, sutures, suction tubes, etc, and places them in surgeon’s hands in such a manner that surgeon need not divert attention from operative field
• Maintains instrument table and supply table
• Attentive to details regarding sterile fields
• Maintains careful control over location of needles and sponges during procedure
• Counts sponges, needles and instruments used with circulating nurse
• Provides special equipment such as electro-surgical machines, and diagnostic lights; insuring that they are in working order; and manipulating such instruments to aid in efficiency of surgeon and avoid hazard to patient
• Assists the surgeon  to drape surgical patient
• Preserves specimen for laboratory analysis
• Aids in ordering supplies for department
• Restocks supplies and checks for out-dates

Competencies                                                

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Customer Service

Meets standards of behavior by using the ICARE moto; Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Interpersonal Skills

Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.

Oral Communication

Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.

Written Communication

Writes clearly and informatively.

Teamwork

Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

Cost Consciousness

Conserves organizational resources.

Diversity

Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.

Ethics

Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support

Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization’s goals and values.

Judgment

Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Motivation

Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence.

Planning/Organizing

Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently.

Professionalism

Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Quality

Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Quantity

Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.

Safety and Security

Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly; Compliance with all hospital and regulatory safety regulations and procedures.

Adaptability

Adapts to changes in the work environment; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Attendance/Punctuality

Is consistently at work and on time and does not have excessive absenteeism.

Dependability

Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Initiative

Seeks increased responsibilities; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation

Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience                                                  

Must have graduated from an accredited school of surgical technology; and one (1) year surgical tech experience preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

 Certification preferred, but not required.  Maintains current BLS. 

Language Skills                                                            

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills                                                    

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 

Reasoning Ability                                                        

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk, hear or smell. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee will also be required to sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Frequent exposure to chemicals, blood and body fluids.