Surgical Technologist I

Description

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Assists in the nursing care and preparation of surgical patients of all ages in the Operating Room. Functions as the surgical technologist on the surgical team under the direction of a Registered Nurse.

This is a PRN position working variable days and hours. 

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Adheres to the standards of nursing care and the policies and procedures of the hospital, Nursing Department and the Operating Room.
• Prepares tables, instruments, supplies, and implants as required for specific operations. Has knowledge of surgeon's preference and step by step procedure.
• Assists in preparation and draping of the patient and operative area.
• Prepares and passes instruments, sutures, sponges and supplies needed in the operative procedure and maintains a correct count.
• Prepares and maintains the sterile field for the surgical procedure.
• Assists in the delivery, labeling, and preparation of medication on the sterile field under the director of the RN circulator.
• Assists in maintenance and care of surgical specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Assists with table equipment, positioning patients, application of casts and dressings.
• Decontaminates all equipment, instruments, and supplies.
• Assists in transferring patients to and from the OR suite.
• Assists other members of the team with terminal cleanup of room in readiness for the next patient.
• Assists the circulating nurse and nurse anesthetist as assigned or required within the legal limitations.
• Cleans and stocks assigned rooms.
• Will participate in ordering and restocking medications within OR department and hospital guidelines.  
• Participates in unit meetings, maintenance of physician preference cards and AM report.
• Acts as a liaison clinical site coordinator for colleges/universities. Is responsible for the completion of all required/requested documentation as appropriate. (CST only)
• Coordinates educational experience for student surgical technologists. Acts as a mentor and preceptor for students. (CST only)
• Pull supplies for scheduled procedures for the next day.
• Relieve staff for breaks and lunches when able.
• Restock carts and supplies, put away clean instruments/trays, and do PAR level orders.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Surgical Assistant

• Assists the surgeon during operations and surgical procedures and performs a variety of crucial tasks during the operation.
• Maintains an unobstructed operating field with surgical retractors, sponges, and suctioning and irrigating equipment.
• Prepares tables, instruments, supplies, and implants as required for specific operations. Has knowledge of surgeon’s preference and step-by-step procedure.
• Assists in preparation and draping of the patient and operative area.
• Prepares and passes instruments, sutures, sponges and supplies needed in the operative procedure and maintains a correct count.
• Prepares and maintains the sterile field for the surgical procedure.
• Assists with table equipment, positioning patients, application of casts and dressings.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION:

1. Preparation & Training - Graduate from an accredited surgical technologist program and hold a UAP from the ND Board of Nursing. Certification required and maintained. Position requires completion of BLS CPR. Position is required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist.
2. Work Experience - To be a designated clinical site coordinator for colleges/universities 2 years of surgical technologist experience is required. Previous work experience in the Operating Room preferred but not required. Time to reach competency on the job here: four weeks to six months (depending on prior experience).
3. Attendance - Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at JRMC. Employee are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule.
4. Analytical Ability - Required to gather and interpret data on physician preference cards, to anticipate surgical needs and display knowledge of the step-by-step procedures. Must be able to determine priorities within area of assignment.
5. Independent Judgement - Makes some independent judgments regarding patient care during set up. Receives supervision and guidance from the registered nurse or physician. Judgments are based on policies and procedures. Substandard performance in nursing skills or judgments may adversely affect patient care or welfare and hospital goodwill. 
6. Contact with Others - Contacts limited to individuals entering the O.R. Must demonstrate social sensitivity and the ability to communicate effectively with co workers, patients, physicians and students.
7. Supervising the Work of Others - Demonstrates leadership and teaching capabilities. Must have organizational skills. Must be able to prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks. Supervision is provided to student surgical technologists. 
8. Responsibility for Welfare of Others - High frequency with which work performed may result in pain, minor injuries and/or stress for others. Must be accurate in performance of responsibilities.
9. Mental/Visual Effort - Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must demonstrate physical and emotional ability to meet agreed upon work schedule and performance standards required by the position. Required duties are such that concentrated attention must be applied on demand consistent with manual skill requirements in situations that may at times be stressful. Visual acuity necessary for reading charts and working with medical devices; color perception necessary to distinguish between different instrument, supplies, and equipment.
10. Working Conditions - OSHA job classification: This position is defined as a Category I in which the employee does have exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Position requires exposure to patients with infectious disease and odor. Must practice aseptic techniques and observe Standard Precautions. Participates in and complies with JRMC Safety Management program. Position is subject to frequent interruptions. Work may be beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary. Position is subject to on-call for the O.R after normal working hours.
11. Physical & Sensory Effort - Frequent standing or walking. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients and/or equipment. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching. Needs finger dexterity when handling medication, specialized equipment/instruments and performing nursing functions. Requires standing for extended periods of time without relief.
12. Hazard - Due to the nature of the work, carelessness with instruments and sharps could cause moderate harm.
13. Background - A comprehensive background check will be conducted as a condition of employment for this role. 
14. Drug Screen - A urine drug screening is required for all positions and must be completed within 30 days of the date of hire.
15. Promotion - Opportunities for promotion may exist depending on performance and departmental needs.
16. Physical Requirement - These are physical requirements of the position that may be performed as part of daily duties. Inability to meet one or more of these physical requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for reasonable accommodation, JRMC may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates and the proposed accommodation.

Employee Requirements

• Visual Observation - Continuously 
• Standing- Continuously 
• Walking - Frequently
• Sitting - Rarely
• Hands and Finger Dexterity - Continuously 
• Reaching with Hands and Arms - Continuously 
• Climbing - Occasionally
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Occasionally
• Hearing/Listening - Continuously
• Tasting or Smelling - Occasionally
• Working Inside- Continuously 
• Working Outside - Never
• Working in Extreme Heat - Never
• Working in Extreme Cold - Never
• Working with Hazardous Materials - Frequently
• Noise - Frequently
• Working in Dirt/Dust - Never
• Driving - Never

Lifting / Carrying / Pushing / Pulling

• Up to 10 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 25 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 50 pounds - Rarely
• Up to 75 pounds - Never
• Up to 100 pounds - Never
• Over 100 pounds - Never