Surgical Technologist Lead

OhioHealth Corporation; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lead Surgical Technologist at OhioHealth Corporation in Columbus, OH prepares the room and gathers supplies for surgical procedures, delivers instruments to the surgeon and team, and may function as second assistant to the surgeon.

They collaborate with educators and managers, participate in infection control practices, maintain instrument sets, and support service excellence to improve patient outcomes and workflow.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for surgical cases by obtaining supplies, equipment and instruments and establish a sterile field; deliver items to the operating room and assist as 2nd circulator.
• Act as 2nd assistant to the surgeon: assist with draping, exposure of operative site, and instrument handling; manage sharps and return cards per protocol.
• Contribute to unit operations and staff development: orient new associates, mentor surgical tech students, maintain annual competencies, and support infection control and service-excellence standards.

Job description

We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could use an expert guide. We work hard, care deeply and reach further to help people uncover their own power to be healthy. We inspire hope. We learn, grow, and achieve more - in our careers and in our communities.

Job Description Summary:

The Lead Surgical Technologist prepares the room and gathers supplies needed for surgical procedures; delivers instruments to the surgeon and other members of the surgical team intra operatively; may function as second assistant to the surgeon; assists in the proper decontamination of the room, supplies and instruments post operatively. Assists the clinical team leader with case card development and changes. Has expertise in surgical service line(s), serves as a primary preceptor for new associates and surgical tech students. In collaboration with educators, clinical leads, and managers, may contribute in yearly competencies, coaching and mentoring surg tech key constituents. May provide performance documentation to manager. Seeks ways to eliminate errors, reduce turnover time, and maintain efficient workflow and to improve patient satisfaction. Participates in Shared Governance. Collaborates with SPD to maintain instruments and specialty trays for complex cases. In collaboration with the department educator, identifies surgical technician educational needs through observation and audits as it relates to infection control practices at the sterile field, efficiency in case preparations, and overall knowledge of instrumentation and procedures. Conduct quality audits to ensure appropriate infection control and compliance safeguards are followed to drive expected patient outcomes. Supports an organizational culture for Service Excellence and practices the Service Excellence Standards to all customer groups

Responsibilities And Duties:

• 80% Prepares for surgical cases by obtaining and preparing appropriate supplies, equipment and instruments, reviews surgeon's preferences to determine required items. Establishes and maintains a sterile field and presents instruments to the operating team. Delivers appropriate instruments/supplies utilizing proper principles of sterile technique. Acts as 2nd assistant to surgeon, performing duties related to draping, operative site exposure. Responsible for removal of all sharps and initials return card for verification. Functions as 2nd circulator with RN supervision. CAN DO: Can mix medications on the sterile field, following verification with an RN. Can deliver medications to the sterile field if an RN is in scrub role. Can run dart / biologics for sterilizers if annual competency has been met. Can sterilize instrumentation if annual competency has been met. Can assist with positioning. Can hold extremities. Can check next case cart. Can perform room turnover and setup for subsequent cases. Can assist with casting and splint application/removal. Can participate in verification of specimen and specimen labeling with Surgery team. Can fix specimens in formalin as long as annual competency has been met. Can wash or thaw grafts. Can hold a stapler while the surgeon fires it. Can cut suture material as directed by and under the supervision of a surgeon and preceptor. Can operate the skin stapler for the purpose of wound approximation. Can assist in the dislocation of joints as long as annual competency has been met. CANNOT DO: Cannot inject or administer medications, dye and blood product. Cannot set up IVs Cannot desiccate tissue. Cannot suture. Cannot tie suture. Cannot use or activate cautery. Cannot operate ESU. Cannot perform anything invasive. Cannot prep patient. Cannot access Pyxis for controlled substances. Cannot complete documentation for the legal medical record. Cannot manipulate or alter grafts. Cannot assist anesthesia with airway management and placement of invasive lines. Cannot mark surgical site.

• 10% Equipment and Supply Maintenance: Assists in post-procedure cleaning of the OR/equipment, returns equipment/supplies to proper areas; assists in room re-stocking. May run dart/biologics for sterilizers annual competency, reports any damaged equipment appropriately, mops floor between cases, and ensures that all equipment cords are not frayed and free from cuts as well as other duties as assigned.

• 10% Unit Operations: Participates in unit operations to contribute to efficiency of department, effective communication, quality care, personal growth and development. Maintains all annual unit specific competencies, ACE and PAR requirements. Maintains all annual unit specific competencies, ACE and PAR requirements. Additional responsibilities of orienting new associates, supporting an organizational culture for Service Excellence and practices the Service Excellence Standards to all customer groups. Seeks ways to eliminate errors, reduce turnover time, and maintain workflow and to impro