Job Summary:

Under direct supervision, the associate surgical technologist works under the supervision of the registered nurse and medical staff to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and minimally invasive surgical procedures. This individual works to assist the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.

Job Duties:

• Collaborates with the Registered Nurse to continuously update the nursing plan of care.
• Labels drugs on the field. Prepares labels and verifies specimens according to protocol and surgeons' preference.
• Uses proper documentation related to sterilization procedures. Signs/verifies initials instrument count sheet and signs preference list when pulling of case is completed.
• Coordinating treatments and procedures to facilitate cost effective patient care.
• Answers the telephone with appropriate telephone etiquette, posts cases for surgeons, takes and relays messages.
• Maintains a working knowledge of emergency protocol in the event of an emergency procedure by ensuring surgical set-ups necessary to manage an emergency.
• Daily and periodically checks, restocks, and inventories supplies (checks, rotates dated items and reorders supplies as assigned or as needed for surgery and other procedures within their unit)
• Working with the circulating nurse and anesthesia personnel, assists in positioning the patient on the operating table, prepares and/or assists in the preparation of the operative site, drapes, or assists in draping the patient, at the request of the surgeon.
• Under the direction of the surgeon performs such duties as holding retractors, suction, clamping vessels, and applying dressings, etc.
• Upon completion of the surgery, assists in moving the patient off the operating table onto the stretcher and transporting to the recovery room.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge in the use of surgical instruments and knowledge of the step-by-step process for the specific surgical procedure.
• Ability to follows appropriate Infection Control policies and procedures. Displays knowledge of decontamination, packaging and sterilization of instrumentation and supplies.
• Knowledge in accountability for patient care environment including the reporting of malfunctioning equipment, maintenance of instrumentation and matters of patient safety.
• Skill in performing assigned patient care tasks under the direction and supervision of a designated Registered Nurse and works under the direction of the surgeon for procedural related tasks.
• Knowledge in preparing operating room according to a particular surgical procedure with the assistance of other personnel in accordance with procedures for disinfection of furniture and equipment.
• Skill in exercising proper sterile technique, opens and arranges sterile field in accordance with accepted protocol for each surgical procedure to be performed, both routine and special procedures.
• Ability to clear the operating room for the next procedure including appropriate disposal of contaminated linen and waste, cleaning instruments when necessary and disinfecting equipment.
• Ability to participate in counts with the circulating nurse to assure that all counts are correct.

Education:

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology program

Experience:

• Prior experience in surgery preferred.

License/Certification:

• Must obtain Surgical Technologist Certification within six (6) months of employment.
• Basic Life Support