Surgical Technician - OR

Arnot Health; City of Elmira (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Arnot Health is seeking a Surgical Technician to support the operating room team under RN supervision. You will prepare scrub areas, assist with patient positioning and draping, and help maintain sterile technique and instrument counts.

Responsibilities include handling surgical instruments, maintaining equipment, and participating in quality and safety initiatives. On-call rotations and ongoing credentialing are required. Previous OR experience is desirable.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of surgical technology.
• Must maintain credentialing within one year of hire.
• Annual 15 hours of continuing education in surgical technology.
• Basic Life Support/CPR required within 90 days of hire.
• Previous surgical technologist experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in assembling and setting up operating rooms with supplies, instruments and equipment.
• Prepare scrub table and mayo stand for procedures.
• Assist licensed practitioners in patient positioning and prepping.
• Maintain accurate counts of sponges, needles, and instruments with RN.
• Operate sterilizers and processing equipment per OR standards.

Skills

Standard Precautions

Sterile technique

Anatomy knowledge

Age-appropriate care

Team collaboration

Education

Surgical technology program graduate

Credentialing within 1 year

CPR/BLS within 90 days

Tools

Surgical instruments handling

Sterilizers

Ultrasonic cleaner

Job description

MAIN FUNCTION

Under the direction of the Unit Director, is responsible for meeting qualifications and maintaining the performance standards of the Arnot Health and the Surgical Department, provide documentation of educational classes, CPR, certification (if applicable), and participation in Performance Improvement programs. The Surgical Technician assists the nursing staff by performance of assigned function of patient care under the supervision of the RN. Reports to Assistant Unit Director and/or Director of Surgical Services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Knowledge Base

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of Standard Precautions and sterile technique.
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic anatomy relevant to surgical procedures.
• Provides age appropriate care within the scope of the duties and responsibilities of a Surgical Technician within the Surgical Department. [Refer to OR Structure Standards - addendum A.VII.182]

Direct Services to Patients

• Demonstrates knowledge of the use, maintenance and care of surgical instrumentation and equipment.
• Assists in assembling and setting up the operating rooms with supplies, instruments, appliances, and any additional equipment specified for the surgical procedure. Prepares scrub table and mayo stand.
• Assists the licensed practitioner in moving and positioning of patients for surgical procedures.
• Assists the licensed practitioners in non-invasive prepping of the skin surface. Holds for surgical preps as required.
• Assists the licensed practitioner in draping the patient for surgery.
• Acts as surgical scrub assistant per OR standards. [Refer to OR Structure Standards, addendum A.VI.14]
• Maintains correct count of sponges, needles, and instruments with the RN and reports correctness and discrepancies per Arnot Health policies and procedures.
• Assists and anticipates the needs of the surgeon during the surgical procedure.
• Functions as a second circulator under the direct supervision of an RN.
• Functions as an assistant to the physician or RN in emergency situations.
• Is required to function in other areas of the Arnot Health where surgical services may be provided.

Indirect Services to Patients

• Assists in maintenance and care of surgical specimens as directed by accepted standards to prevent loss or damage.
• Assists with perioperative care which may include making beds, assisting with cast applications. Staying with restless or disturbed patients, patients lifts, transfers or transports.
• Performs errands as required by the Surgical Department, i.e. receiving/returning blood, lab items, x-rays, pharmacy items and supplies, equipment or carts to/from the department.
• Assists with the processing of supplies through cleaning, packaging, sterilizing or storage procedures.
• Assists in the processing of instruments utilizing the standards of the Surgical Department.
• Is able to operate sterilizers, ultrasonic cleaner and other equipment for processing instruments.

Safety

• Functions with awareness of risk management and safety issues, reports concerns appropriately.
• Maintains complete understanding of the Arnot Health's emergency procedures and personal role in regard to fire safety, Code Blue, disaster and hazard procedures.
• Gives an accurate report between shifts and the time of relief from designated patient care activities.
• Recognizes changes in patient's status and advises appropriate personnel.

Quality in Daily Work

• Demonstrates quality improvement principles in daily work.
• Performs and completes assignments practicing consistent quality and quantity of work.
• Properly cares for equipment and utilizes supplies in a cost effective manner.
• Continuously utilizes time to maximize full potential; sets priorities.
• Demonstrates problem solving and conflict resolution in an appropriate manner.

Working Relationships

• Communicates constructive ideas and is open and adaptable to changing work conditions.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationship with staff and other members of the health care team.
• Assists in the general maintenance of the department with such duties as in room sanitation between surgical procedures, keeping assigned work area clean and neat, and any related duties as assigned by the department manager.

Professional Responsibilities

• Adheres to the current Time and Attendance policies.
• Adheres to Arnot Health's policy for behavior and appearance.
• Attends both routine and mandatory staff meetings or initiates arrangements for follow-up with questions, concerns or staff development needs.
• Maintains and increases standard of performance and education by attending continuing education in-services.
• Assists in staff development and revision of procedures and related items.
• Assists in preparation and instigation of learning experiences.
• Acts as a preceptor as requested.
• Takes call after demonstrating job competence. When on call, responds immediately when called upon for additional or emergency service. Will be required to rotate shifts and weekend coverage as required by Unit Director. Will be responsible for sharing overtime duties with co-workers.

Additional Responsibilities

1. Is responsible for attending all annual mandatory educational programs as required by position.
2. Employee understands and demonstrates the importance of satisfying the needs of the customer/patient by interacting with him/her in a friendly and caring way, being attentive to the customer's needs, both psychologically and physically, and by taking the initiative to maintain communication with the customer in order to provide a secure and pleasant experience with the Arnot Health
3. It is understood that this job description lists typical duties for the classification and is not to be considered inclusive of all duties, which may be assigned.

EDUCATION

Graduate of accredited school of surgical technology, appropriate training program in the military services or Public Health commissioned Corp, Licensed Practical Nurse , employed as a surgical technologist in a healthcare facility for a cumulative period of one year occurring within four years immediately prior to 1/5/15.

Graduates of an accredited program must hold and maintain credentialing. Those not credentialed must do so within a year of hire. All Surgical Technologists must annually complete 15 hours of continuing education to remain qualified to practice in surgical technology.

EXPERIENCE

Surgical technician experience as stated above, graduate of accredited school or military equivalent or LPN with previous surgical experience.

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) REQUIREMENTS

Basic Life Support (BLS) required within 90 days of hire date.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to meet the demands of an active position, including reaching above head, extensive walking, stooping, standing, lifting (up to 50 lbs.) and moderate sitting. Physical dexterity with arms and fingers bilaterally. Hearing and eyesight within normal range.

INFECTION CONTROL

Performs all aspects of Standard Precautions when engaging in patient care.

EXPOSURE CATEGORY

Category I. Tasks that involve exposure to blood and body fluid or tissue.

A.D.A Essential Functions