Student Surgical Technologist

Lexington Medical Center; West Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated Allied Health Professionals to join their dynamic surgical team. This role involves working closely with medical practitioners to ensure the safe and effective conduct of surgical procedures. As a student surgical technologist, you will gain invaluable experience in a fast-paced environment, assisting in various tasks from preparing the operating room to supporting the surgical team during procedures. With a commitment to quality patient care and a focus on professional development, this opportunity offers a pathway to a rewarding career in healthcare. Join a team that values excellence and provides the tools you need to succeed.

Benefits

Day ONE medical, dental and life insurance benefits

Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)

403(b) match plan

Employer paid life insurance

Adoption assistance

Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan forgiveness

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited Surgical Tech or Operation Room Technician course.
• Knowledge of decontamination, packaging and sterilization of instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of the operative site and draping of the patient.
• Maintain cleanliness of the work environment and assist with equipment checks.
• Participate in counts with the circulating nurse to ensure accuracy.

Skills

Surgical Instrument Handling

Patient Care

Sterile Technique

Communication Skills

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Surgical Instruments

Disinfection Equipment

Job description

Operating Room
PRN
AM/PM Shift
Variable

Consistently named best hospital, Lexington Medical Center dedicates itself to providing quality health services that meet the needs of its communities. Ranked #1 in the Columbia metro area by U.S. News & World Report, Lexington Medical Center is the only hospital named one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina.

The 607-bed teaching hospital anchors a health care network that includes six community medical centers and employs more than 8,700 health care professionals. The network includes a cardiovascular program recognized by the American College of Cardiology as South Carolina’s first HeartCARE CenterTM and an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence affiliated with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center for research and education. The network also features an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, an Alzheimer’s care center and nearly 80 physician practices. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year.

Job Summary

Allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings. The student 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 ensure that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A student surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Minimum Years of Experience: None.
Substitutable Education & Experience: None.
Required Certifications/Licensure: CPR certification
Required Training: Currently enrolled in accredited Surgical Tech or Operation Room Technician course;
Display dexterity in the use of surgical instruments;
Displays knowledge of decontamination, packaging and sterilization of instrumentation.

Essential Functions

• Will perform assigned patient care tasks under the direction and supervision of a designated Registered Nurse.
• Demonstrates ability to provide comfort and safety measures in accordance with unit standards: Orients patient to environment; Recognizes need for safety measures and takes appropriate action to prevent injury; Provides interventions consistent with patient condition, medical and nursing plans of care that are within their scope of practice and clinical skill level.
• Works with the Surgical Team 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.
• During an operation performs as a member of the surgical team by anticipating the needs of the surgeon to expedite the procedure by passing instruments, sponges and suture. At appropriate clinical skill level, under the direction of the surgeon performs such duties as holding retractors, suctioning, applying dressings, etc.
• Acts as a surgeon's first or second assistant in the absence of the surgeon's first assistant within their realm of practice (except suturing, cutting tissue, or closing wound) under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and designated surgical team.
• Participates in counts with the circulating nurse to assure that all counts are correct.
• Observes for break in technique and takes corrective action.
• Upon completion of the surgery, assists in moving the patient off the operating table onto the stretcher and transporting to the recovery room. Assists in clearing the operating room for the next procedure including disposal of contaminated linen and waste, cleaning instruments when necessary and disinfecting equipment.
• Assists designated surgical team with implementation of emergency protocol in the event of a disaster in the operating room, emergency procedure and surgical set-ups necessary to manage an emergency.
• Demonstrates knowledge of policies and procedures effecting practice.
• Maintains confidentiality of patients, personnel and system information.
• Maintains and respects patients' privacy.
• Respects patients' "Bill of Rights".
• Attends hospital or outside educational programs and shares with co-workers.
• Maintains a courteous and professional manner in dealing with patients, visitors, medical staff and fellow employees.
• Demonstrates receptiveness to change and maintains a positive attitude through the change process.
• Presents professional appearance in dress and grooming.
• Attends and participates in 75% of staff meetings. Demonstrates initiative in getting information regarding content of missed meetings, i.e. reading minutes.
• Assists Surgical Team in performing and documenting equipment, drug and environmental checks as required by administrative policies and regulatory agencies.
• Follows appropriate Infection Control policies and procedures.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists with maintaining cleanliness of work environment.
• Displays a willingness to learn the use and maintenance of assigned equipment.
• Recognizes and reports malfunctioning of unsafe equipment to appropriate persons.
• Assists Surgical Team with the disposition of used equipment.
• Assists Surgical Team with the replacement of med/surg supplies.
• Uses proper procedure for securing supplies from other areas.
• Assists Surgical Team with needed supplies for scheduled procedures.
• Prepares operating room with the assistance of other personnel in accordance with procedures for disinfection of furniture and equipment; selects and secures appropriate instruments, equipment and supplies according to a particular surgical procedure.
• Exercises 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.
• Utilizes appropriate sterilization methods for special equipment and instruments, necessary for specific surgical procedures under the guidance of the Surgical Team.
• Daily and periodically, assists the Surgical Team with the checking, restocking and inventorying of supplies; checks, rotates and reprocesses dated items and reorders supplies as assigned.
• Demonstrates initiative in learning the composition of all surgical trays and specialty items used in procedures in Operating Room.
• Assists with the inventories and ordering of supplies needed for the processing of instruments.
• Assists Surgical Team in assuring that all items used are replaced in inventory, charged for and reported to circulator of case.
• Reports pertinent patient information to Associate Care Manager/Registered Nurse involved in patient care.
• Maintains open communication with surgery team.
• Reports changes in patient's condition to designated Associate Care Manager/Registered Nurse.
• Reports observations relevant to patient needs to Associate Care Manager/Registered Nurse.
• Answers telephone in a courteous manner and relays messages.
• Communicates effectively with Sterile Processing with identified instrument, equipment needs.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

We are committed to offering quality, cost-effective benefits choices for our employees and their families:

• Day ONE medical, dental and life insurance benefits
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Employees are eligible for enrollment into the 403(b) match plan day one. LHI matches dollar for dollar up to 6%.
• Employer paid life insurance – equal to 1x salary
• Employee may elect supplemental life insurance with low cost premiums up to 3x salary
• Adoption assistance
• LHI provides its full-time employees employer paid short-term disability and long-term disability coverage after 90 days of eligible employment
• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan forgiveness

Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of LMC to provide equal opportunity of employment for all individuals, and to remain compliant with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. LMC strives to provide a discrimination-free environment, and to recruit, select, on-board, and employ all employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including but not limited to, lactation. LMC endeavors to upgrade and promote employees from within the hospital where possible and consistent with the employee’s desires and abilities and the hospital’s needs.