Surgical Technologist Hospital

Responsibilities:

• Sets up sterile table assuring appropriate supplies, drugs, and equipment are available.
• Participates with RN in counting all sponges, instruments, etc., at appropriate times during the surgical procedure.
• Assists in draping patient.
• Assists surgical team members with gowning and gloving.
• Assures aseptic condition is maintained by the scrubbed surgical team throughout the procedure. Provides for patient safety by actively participating in the intraop "timeout."
• Utilizes other safety measures such as safety belts, positioning devices and alarms.
• Collects, identifies and labels specimens removed during surgical procedures; gives specimens to circulator for disposition per surgeon's instructions.
• If in an Ambulatory setting the following duties may be assigned:
• Coordinates surgical and clinical schedules.
• Assists with outpatient clinic flow.
• Provides information to patient and family.
• Assists with coordinating outpatient procedure room cases and supplies.
• Assists with orientation of new hires.
• Works on unit committees.
• Assists with marketing and practice development.
• Coordinates studies for section.
• Answers patient phone calls, gathers information and relays to provider.
• Performs post-op phone calls and relays information to provider.
• Provides information back to patient based on provider instruction.
• Scribes for provider in outpatient clinic.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• If hired prior to August 1, 2015 completion of a Surgical Technology Program accredited through CAAHEP or ABHES or completion of military surgical technology program required. Or Licensed Practical Nurse will meet the requirements. 
• If hired August 1, 2015 or later, Surgical Technology Program accredited through CAAHEP or ABHES required. Completion of military surgical technology program will meet the requirements of an accredited Surgical Technology Program.  Certification as a Surgical Technologist waives the educational requirement for hire. Acceptable certifications for this route are TS-C (through the National Center for Competency Training) or CST (through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting).

Certifications:

• Certification preferred for candidates from accredited surgical technology programs. Certification (CST, TS-C) required for candidates who have not completed an accredited Surgical Technology program.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA).

Complexity of Work:

• Within scope of job, requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment.
• Must be able to establish and maintain courteous and cooperative relations with patients and others contacted in the course of work and able to empathize with patients suffering from physical or emotional difficulties.

Work Experience:

• None required.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.
• Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time.
• Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 25 pounds and ability to push, pull, and navigate supply carts weighing > than 75 pounds periodically.
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• Requires working under stressful conditions of working irregular hours.
• Requires some exposure to communicable diseases or bodily fluids.
• Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.