Job Description, Duties, and Requirements

The Peri-Operative Assistant is a person trained to perform specific tasks in the Peri-Operative Suite.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Verifies patient identification by name band, hospital number and/or date of birth prior to transporting.
• Transports and/or assists in transporting patients to and from surgery.
• Ensures safety of patient by transporting with side rails up and feet first.
• Provides for patient privacy during transport.
• Transports dirty linen to laundry daily.
• Folds and stores scrub clothes in appropriate place according to size.
• Exchanges linen cart daily at 2 pm.
• Cleans and restocks scrub sinks daily.
• Replaces soap refills in dispensers and paper towels in dispensers throughout the department as needed.
• Floor Scrubber:
  • Damp mops lounge, locker rooms, bathrooms, hallways and PACU daily.
  • Scrubs foot stools and kick buckets daily and as needed.
• Cleans wheels of all rolling equipment weekly.
• Cleans autoclaves in Operating Room monthly.
• Follows formal cleaning schedule for area.
• Restocks specimen container as needed.
• Keeps extra formalin container available
• Cleans lounge area daily.
• Returns dishes to Dietary.
• Mops room.
• Cleans Operating Room table and remakes with clean linen.
• Damp dusts all flat surfaces.
• Replaces suction containers and tubing.
• Replaces sponge counter.
• Leaves room in order.
• Cleans walls if spattered with contaminant.
• Removes trash and dirty linen from room.
• Operating Rooms:
  • Surgical Lights
  • Fixed and ceiling mounted equipment
  • All furniture and equipment including wheels and casters
  • Handles of cabinets and push plates
  • Ventilation faceplates
  • Horizontal surfaces
  • Floors
  • Substerile areas
• Scrub/Utility areas:
  • Scrubs sinks
  • Hallways and floors
• PACU
  • Floors
  • Sinks
• Utilizes universal precautions in all aspects of work practice.
• Maintains knowledge of multi drug resistant organisms and measures to be initiated.
• Remains in compliance with hospital Hand Hygiene Policy.
• Reports staff deficits related to compliance with Infection Control practice (non-compliance with hand washing, isolation procedures, maximum barrier precautions.)
• Maintains knowledge of hospital acquired infection rate and measures being taken to decrease incidence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Maintain compassionate and professional at all times and when exposed to patients in high emotional distress.
• Outstanding communication, listening and observation skills for interaction with patients, families, visitors, team members, physicians and other hospital personnel.
• Ability to respond swiftly.
• Professional appearance and proficient personal hygiene.
• Calm, confident manner.
• Undeterred by distressed or combative patients.
• Typical shifts are in 2-4 hour increments and coverage will be needed all hours including weekends, holidays and nights.
• Basic problem solving skills for effective problem and conflict resolution.
• Ability to perform efficiently and effectively under stressful and emergency situations.
• Ability to read, write, perform simple mathematical calculations, and follow written and verbal instructions.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Professional Requirements

• Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Complete annual education requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wear identification while on duty.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services as needed.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

• May need to stand for up to 8 hours at a time
• Physically demanding, high-stress environment