Certified Surgical Tech (CST), Operating Room, Full-time, First Shift

UC Health; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Cincinnati, OH, is seeking a scrub technologist to assist in surgical procedures and maintain equipment. The ideal candidate must have a high school diploma or GED, certification as a surgical technologist, and experience of 6 months to 2 years. Responsibilities include preparing the operating room, operating equipment safely, and ensuring patient safety. This role is vital to the surgical team, promoting teamwork and effective communication with healthcare members.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 months to 2 years of active experience required.
• Certification as a surgical technologist (CST) mandatory.
• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the maintenance of surgical instruments and supplies.
• Prepare operating room for surgical procedures.
• Operate equipment safely and recognize signs of abuse or neglect.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Knowledge of surgical instruments

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in Surgical Technology

Certification as a surgical technologist (CST)

Job description

Job Description

At UC Health, we provide world‑class care to patients from our community and beyond. This adult academic health system values innovation and teamwork, and strives to advance healing and reduce suffering.

Primary responsibility involves performance of specific tasks as a scrub technologist in an operating room. You will assist with the maintenance of surgical instruments, supplies and equipment, maintain positive customer relations, and perform duties within your scope of responsibility. The role is accountable to the Clinical Nurse Manager of the Operating Room.

Location

Cincinnati, OH, United States

Qualifications

• Minimum required: High school diploma or GED.
• Preferred: Associate degree in Surgical Technology.
• Required: Certification as a surgical technologist (CST).
• 6 months – 2 years of active experience.

Responsibilities

• Patient Population (CLINICAL ONLY):
  • Engages in population‑appropriate communication.
  • Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks.
  • Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary.
  • Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.
  • Interprets population‑related data and plans care appropriately.
  • Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs arising from unique psychological needs or those associated with religious/cultural norms.
  • Operates equipment safely.
  • Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.
• Responsible for Surgical Preparation of Surgical Procedures:
  • Checks daily assignment.
  • Reviews surgical preference sheets to clarify surgical routine and updates preference sheets as needed.
  • Utilizes resources to obtain needed supplies for the case.
  • Checks table(s) for complete readiness for each procedure; ensures all items needed for the cases are present.
  • Obtains physician’s special instruments and sutures prior to start of the case.
  • Communicates with the surgeon prior to the start of the case if any supplies or equipment are unavailable.
  • Sets up sterile instrumentation, supplies, and equipment on assigned procedures; demonstrates, maintains, identifies, and corrects any break in aseptic technique while setting up the case as well as during the surgical procedure.
  • Handles special supplies and equipment with knowledge and dexterity and ensures proper functioning.
  • Keeps it’s proper functioning; knowledge of the specifics of the surgical procedure and able to perform these tasks in an organized and efficient manner.
  • Effectively communicates pertinent information to relief personnel to provide safe continuity of care.
• Promotes an Environment of Cooperation and Teamwork:
  • Attends promptly and maintains regular attendance.
  • Communicates effectively, timely, and courteously with all health team members.
  • Shares pertinent information with the nursing manager.
  • Willing to share knowledge with others.
  • Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to change.
  • Takes allotted time for breaks and lunch according to policy.
  • Returns borrowed equipment to the proper room so that co‑workers do not have to locate it.
  • Assists with suctioning secretions, holding retractors, assisting with skin closure, cutting sutures, and irrigating wounds under the surgeon’s supervision.
  • Circulates for operative procedures under the supervision of an RN.
  • Assists with patient care at the end of the surgical procedure.
  • Operative site is prepared; cleanses operative site; connects drainage tubes; applies sterile dressing; assists with patient transfer to bed/stretcher; covers soiled gloves with clean exam gloves; ensures adequate number of assistants present.
  • Uses good body mechanics.
  • Processes case cart; disassembles table contents and instruments, places them in proper receptacles for cleaning; thoroughly sprays dirty instruments in their containers before transport to SPD.
  • Sends instruments to SPD or cleans up the room for terminal cleaning; disposes of trash and linen appropriately; assists in expediting case turnaround time; assists with cleaning tables, floors, etc.
  • Promotes a safe environment for patient and all healthcare members: instruments, sharps, and sponges are counted according to policy; identifies and transfers surgical specimens; performs safety check on all equipment; correctly prepares and labels medications with dosages and percentages according to type of procedure or doctor’s preference card; keeps operative field free of unused instruments, equipment, and sharps; receives instruments from surgeon; keeps instruments clean by wiping blood and tissue; removes unnecessary articles from the operative field; follows universal precautions.
• Demonstrates Professional Behavior:
  • Recognizes benefits of learning from positive and negative experiences and integrates this knowledge into daily practice.
  • Serves as a role model.
  • Recognizes and acknowledges peer accomplishments.
  • Participates in committee work pertinent to Nursing Service and the O.R.
  • Utilizes feedback to identify own learning needs.
  • Meets emergency needs through participation in on‑call system.
  • Responds promptly to calls and organizes needs of an emergency case efficiently.
  • Exercises safe judgment in decision‑making.
• Functions as Patient Advocate:
  • Aware of physical and emotional needs at all times; gives appropriate care and comfort.
  • Assists any patient in need, not just those assigned to your care.
  • Protects patient’s dignity while anesthetized by avoiding unnecessary exposure.
  • Protects patient’s privacy by ensuring confidentiality of chart and history.
  • Puts patient’s welfare above person consideration; admits errors and takes proper steps to correct them.
• Participates in Educational Activities of the Unit:
  • Assists with orientation of new personnel; participates/plans unit in‑services as appropriate.
  • Attends unit in‑services.

EEO Statement

UC Health is an EEO employer.