Surgical Technologist (Surg Tech) (Healthcare)
Job Summary
Assists the surgeon at the sterile field by providing appropriate and adequate sterile instruments and other supplies during the operative procedure. Maintain the surgical field through aseptic practices. Works under the supervision of the Registered Nurse as a member of the perioperative team. Assists in the nursing care and preparation of the patient for surgery. Responsible for the assembly of cases. Collaborates with operating room staff to ensure availability and sterility of instrumentation to meet the requirements of scheduled surgical procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Demonstrate our Core Values of being Patient Centered, Team Focused, Service Driven, Accountable, and Innovative every day
- Assists with preoperative procedures and set-up; Assists surgeons, PA'S, NP'S, and RNs as needed during surgical procedures.
- Prepares instruments and sterile supplies.
- Assist in the maintenance and care of supplies; equipment and instruments in operating rooms; Assist in preparing operating rooms for a variety of surgical procedures.
Preoperative Duties:
- Donning OR attire and personal protective equipment (PPE); performs the surgical scrub, donning gown, and gloves; Assists team members with gowning and gloving.
- Gathers, checks, and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure.
- Sets up the sterile back table and Mayo stand with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure.
- Performs initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the OR circulator.
- Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.
- Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out procedure.
- Secures tubing, cords, and other sterile accessories.
Intraoperative Duties:
- Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment, and supplies for usage during the procedure.
- Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedure.
- Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents, and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure.
- Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon; Sponges or suctions the operative site.
- Applies electrocautery to clamps or forceps on bleeders as directed by the surgeon.
- Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon.
- Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
- Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure.
- Performs additional counts as necessary.
- Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices.
- Prepares and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate.
- Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.
- Assists other members of the team with terminal cleaning of room.
- Assists in prepping the OR for the next patient.
- Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Successful completion of an accredited Surgical Technologist Program
- Eligibility for certification by Association of Surgical Technologists is preferred
- 2-4 years' experience as a Surg Tech preferred
- 2-4 years' experience in an Ambulatory Surgery Center preferred
- Interest and/or experience in orthopedic surgeries
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills required to effectively exchange information with patients, providers, and staff.
Physical Demands
- Manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination to enter data and operate equipment
- Corrected vision and hearing within normal range to observe and communicate with patients, providers, and staff
- Frequent reaching, stooping, squatting, bending, kneeling, and crouching
- Extensive standing and walking required
- Occasional lifting and carrying items weighing up to 25 pounds
- Occasional exertion of 10 lbs. or more of force
- Work environment may involve some exposure to hazards/physical risk
- Position requires full range of body motion
