Surgical Tech - Operating Room - F/T with Benefits Day

Hackensack Meridian Health; North Bergen (NJ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey is seeking a Surgical Technician to support the operating room team. You will prepare rooms, pass instruments, and assist surgeons during procedures, ensuring aseptic technique and patient safety.

The role requires completion of an OR tech program or PN/CST credential, strong communication, and proficient computer skills. This position offers exposure to a busy OR and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office/Google Suite).
• Satisfactory completion of an approved Operating Room Technician program and/or graduation from an accredited Practical Nursing program.

Responsibilities

• Prepares operating rooms with instruments, supplies and equipment for each procedure.
• Assists surgical team during operative procedures.
• Passes instruments, sponges and supplies to surgeon as needed.
• Maintains aseptic technique and patient safety throughout procedures.
• Follows procedures for scrubbing, gowning, gloving and sterilization.

Skills

Excellent communication

Proficient computer skills

Education

LPN or CST certification

Job description

Overview

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Surgical Tech at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Prepares rooms with appropriate instruments, sutures, supplies and equipment necessary for each individual surgical procedure as outlined in the departmental policy and procedure manual; refers to the physician's preference book for special needs, equipment, or instruments of the surgeon performing the scheduled operation.


• Demonstrates competence in assisting the surgical team during operative procedures.


• Consistently passes instruments, sponges, sutures, and suction tubes to surgeon and surgical assistants, as requested, in such a manner that the surgeon need not to divert attention from the operating field.


• Remains alert during procedures and demonstrates an ability to handle unexpected situations with calm efficiency.


• Follows departmental procedures in: scrubbing, hand drying, gowning, gloving, and observing for contamination and /or breaks in aseptic technique. Demonstrates close attention to details of aseptic technique at all times.


• Follows aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies and setting-up procedures. Discards any contaminated supplies immediately, according to established written procedures.


• Demonstrates an awareness of legal responsibilities and the reason for complete accuracy when performing operating room counts (sponge, needle, instruments); knows proper procedure to follow in case of an incorrect count; reports discrepancies and /or corrections immediately.


• Follows written procedures in accounting for reporting the number of drains and/or packs and their location to the Circulating Nurse.


• Demonstrates competence in the care of specimens (bacteriological anaerobic and aerobic, frozen sections, pathological, E.E.A. testing, Calculli, Care of limb - post-amputation), and in the accurate recording, labeling, and handling of specimens at all times.


• Adjusts lights and other equipment as directed by the surgeon or staff nurse: always follows orders carefully and completely; checks on a daily basis assigned O.R. equipment to ensure proper functioning; maintains an awareness of special maintenance procedures; promptly reports any inoperative equipment to the supervisor; inspects the department regularly for proper equipment functions.


• Keeps operative field in a neat, clean, dry and sterile condition; identifies and immediately reports any breaks in aseptic techniques by self and others; maintains a sterile set-up until the patient has left the operating rooms following operations, including disposal of used linens gloves, instruments, utensils, equipment and waste; cleans instrument tables at the end of each case according to established procedures; autoclaves waste, as necessary. Restocks supplies, as necessary.


• Follows established procedures in making up special sterile supplies such as: needles, catheters, Penrose drain, cotton balls, etc. sterilizes specific instruments as necessary according to proper sterilization procedures; demonstrates proper wrapping techniques of supplies for sterilization.


• Follows written procedures for gas and steam sterilization; knows responsibilities and the necessity for chemical and bacteriological monitoring.


• Ensures comfort and safety for patient; demonstrates an awareness of patient`s fears and apprehension. Supports patients emotionally in the pre-and post-surgical phase. Communicates clearly and tactfully with patients.


• Assists in transportation of patient as required from bed to operating room. Demonstrates an awareness of patient safety and proper body mechanics.


• Gowns and gloves other scrubbed personnel, as requested, following strict aseptic procedures at all times.


• Assists in draping patients for surgical procedures; follows procedures outlined in the departmental manual.


• Assists in the preparation of patient operative areas according to the need; carefully follows established procedures under the direction of the Operating Room Staff Nurse.


• Attends O.R. Staff Meeting; attends all JCAHO required in-service education programs yearly; participates in hospital emergency and disaster procedures; knows personal role in case of a fire while on duty.


• Assists with the orientation of new personnel assigned to O.R.


• Respond within 30 minutes when on-cal.


• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.


• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Satisfactory completion of an approved Operating Room Technician course and/or a graduate of an accredited school of Practical Nursing.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Proficient computer skills that may include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• One year of OR experience

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Licensed Practical Nurse or Certified Surgical Technologist.

Starting Minimum Rate

Minimum rate of $28.28 Hourly

Job Posting Disclosure

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package. The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to: Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness. Experience: Years of relevant work experience. Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training. Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies. Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location. Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization. Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered. Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts. In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.