OR Tech/Surgical Technologist - FT (59416)

Livingston Hospital; Salem (KY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Livingston Hospital in Salem, KY is seeking a Surgical Technologist to join the operating room team. The role requires maintaining sterile fields, anticipating surgeon needs, and assisting with instruments, suturing, and patient care to maximize safety.

The candidate should graduate from an accredited surgical technology program and pursue CST certification; CPR and QI data collection are recommended, with on-call rotation and holidays as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program (certificate, diploma, or associate degree).
• CPR certification recommended and data collection for QI and interqual reporting.

Responsibilities

• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon and handles instruments, supplies, and equipment for the procedure.
• Conveys instruments and supplies to the surgeon and maintains the sterile field; sterilizes instruments per policy.
• Assists surgeon with retraction, exposure, hemostasis, suctioning, irrigation, suturing, and drainage systems.
• Assists with suturing, stapling, patient positioning, and preparing the skin prior to draping.
• Monitors aseptic technique and ensures patient safety throughout the operation.
• Rotates call, covers emergencies, and follows hospital policies for safety and infection control.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Patient care

Teamwork

Education

Technical Program Graduate

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Livingston Hospital - Salem, KY 42078

Education Level: Technical Program Graduate

Travel Percentage: None

Job Category: Health Care

Position Summary

Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals who work in the surgical suite delivering surgical patient care. They function under the supervision of a surgeon, ensuring the operating room environment is safe, equipment functions properly, and the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. They are experts in aseptic technique and vigilant for any breaks in technique that can endanger the surgical patient.

Primary Responsibilities & Authorities

• Surgical Technologist
  • Anticipates the needs of the surgeon and handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment utilized during the surgical procedure.
  • Conveys instruments and supplies to the surgeon, assists the surgeon as necessary, and is responsible for maintenance of the sterile field, instrument decontamination and sterilization.
• Assisting Technologist
  • Assists the surgeon by providing retraction and aiding exposure to the operative site; facilitating hemostasis; performing suctioning, irrigation, and sponging; assisting with suturing and stapling; and securing drainage systems and dressings.
  • Anticipates the moves of the surgeon and assists in the safe and efficient completion of the surgical procedure.
• Circulating Technologist
  • Supports the surgical team by obtaining appropriate sterile and unsterile items, performing counts, and maintaining records.
  • Transfers the patient to the operating table, positions the patient, applies electrosurgical and monitoring devices, and prepares the patient's skin prior to draping.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides patient care.
• Provides a safe, efficient, supportive and comfortable environment for the patient. Assesses patient response to illness and physical, spiritual and psychological needs. Respects the right of patients and privacy. Participates in TIME-OUT prior to the procedure, identifying patient, procedure, allergies; identifying all staff involved in the case.
• Applies principles of asepsis to provide optimum patient care.
• Knowledgeable of sterile technique and applies techniques to each procedure. Prepares items for sterilization, sterilizes items, and monitors sterilization per hospital policy.
• Prepares for surgical cases.
• Individualizes patient care. Knowledgeable of instruments by type, function and name. Handles surgical instrumentation according to policy. Prepares surgical packs and trays. Selects appropriate sponges, dressings, sutures and stapling devices. Assists in selecting catheters, drains and other appliances, and assists in their use. Selects appropriate specialty equipment for special procedures (e.g., VacPac for lateral cases) and assists in the use of special equipment. Selects and applies appropriate draping material. Identifies and reports to designated personnel negative, unsafe conditions that may affect the health or well‑being of patients and personnel.
• Creates and maintains sterile fields.
• Assures the physical preparation of the operating room. Verifies exposure to sterilization process and integrity of sterile packaging, opens appropriate supplies, follows the dress code as directed by hospital policy, selects and prepares supplies and instruments for the sterile field, counts all instruments, sponges, needles and other items as dictated by hospital policy.
• Functions as scrub person. Follows principles of correct hand scrub. Gowns and gloves self and others. Passes correct instrumentation, supplies, and suture as needed by the surgeon. Prepares medication and irrigating solutions as needed. Maintains highest standards of sterile technique during the operative procedure. Follows established policy and procedures for all counts. Initiates corrective action when counts are incorrect. Anticipates emergencies and initiates corrective action. Follows appropriate postoperative routines. Demonstrates knowledge of progressive steps inherent in specific surgical procedures. Displays dexterity in required instrumentation and supplies. Anticipates needs of the surgeon to expedite the procedure. Demonstrates organization of work.
• Functions as circulator assistant. Selects and prepares supplies and equipment for the operative team. Provides comfort and safety for the patient. Assists anesthesia personnel as needed. Applies appropriate equipment to the patient as requested by the surgeon. Performs counts with the scrub person. Anticipates need for additional supplies during the procedure. Operates all equipment following recommended practices and procedures. Communicates information regarding the surgical procedure. Follows appropriate postoperative routines. Monitors and controls the surgical environment as indicated in policy and procedure. Implements proper principles of positioning of the surgical patient. Prepares operative site for surgery. Assists with preparation of specimens for lab. Applies thermoregulatory devices to the patient. Demonstrates preparation and use of appropriate hemostatic and blood replacement agents and devices. Identifies developing emergency situations, initiates appropriate action, and assists in the treatment of the patient.
• Functions as assisting surgical technologist. Under direction and supervision of the surgeon. Uses recommended principles of safe positioning. Provides visualization of the operative site. Uses proper techniques to assist the surgeon with hemostasis. Uses appropriate techniques to aid closure of body planes. Expedited procedure by anticipating surgeon's needs. Knowledgeable of normal and pathological anatomy and physiology.
• Accountable as a health care professional. Respects patient rights by maintaining confidentiality and privacy. Provides safe, efficient, supportive environment. Demonstrates sound judgment. Initiates learning of new procedures and subjects. Promotes ongoing education. Recognizes importance of teamwork, consideration, and cooperation within the operating room. Promotes responsibility as member of the health care team. Coordinates efforts of all members of the team. Operates professionally in all aspects of surgical care. Develops a code of behavior including ethical responsibilities. Understands individual responsibility. Recognizes legal and policy limits to individual responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program for a certificate or diploma, or an associate degree.

Other Special Requirements (Licenses, Certifications)

• Recommend National CST Certification.
• CPR along with data collection for QI and Interqual reporting.
• Recommend membership with the Association of Surgical Technologists.

Physical Demands

• Lifting a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Transporting, lifting and transferring patients.
• Standing / walking for lengthy periods of time.

Working Environment

• Risk of exposure to blood and body fluids; expected to use personal protective equipment.
• Well‑lit, ventilated area.
• Follow LHHS policy and procedures and Infection Control policy & procedure.

Call Coverage & Holidays

• Expected to rotate call on nights, weekends and holidays.
• Will be expected to help cover call during sick leave, vacations and various other times as needed.
• Employees will be paid an hourly rate for authorized on‑call time and must be able to return to work within 30 minutes after notification. Guidelines for call pay will follow the Livingston Hospital & Healthcare Services, Inc. employee handbook policy.