Surgical Technician III

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Surgical Services duties: Responsible for medical services involving the excision or incision of a patient's body, such as interventional pain management and other procedures. This position also works to provide a safe environment for patients undergoing invasive procedures or surgery. A clinical technologist role that has specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, and experience. This role will be most commonly applied to patient care and/or scientific/laboratory jobs. An experienced level role requiring basic knowledge of job procedures and tools obtained through work experience and requiring vocational or technical education. Works under moderate supervision, works through problems of a routine nature, but may at times require interpretation or deviation from standard procedures and communicates information that requires some explanation or interpretation.

Job Overview

This position is responsible for continuous, efficient, and smooth patient flow in the Surgical Services setting. This position provides support and assistance for physicians and registered nurses before, during, and after a surgical service procedure based on standards and protocol. Responds quickly to urgent patient needs by notifying a Physician or Registered Nurse. Demonstrates a detailed knowledge of the different types of surgical equipment and their use. May perform various diagnostics and screening tasks.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

3. Two (2) year of operating room experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Associate's degree in a Surgical Technologist program.

2. Three (3) years of same day, orthopedic, endoscopy, LASIK, or other relevant surgical experience.

3. Specialty certifications

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Assists the Operating Room team with specific routine clinical activities. acts under the Supervision of a Registered Nurse during surgical procedures.

2. Sets up daily procedure rooms, with established surgical protocols and physician preferences.

3. Turns over procedure rooms in a timely manner.

4. Prepares surgical equipment and instruments for specific procedures. Demonstrates and verbalizes knowledge of aseptic technique. Informs clinical leader of any equipment problems.

5. Circulates regularly throughout unit to assist nurses and physicians as needed in pre-, intra- and post-procedure.

6. Escorts patients into the procedure rooms and obtains baseline vital signs and connects patient to monitoring equipment.

7. Under the review of the RN, obtains pre-procedure data, including but not limited to; height, weight, allergies, NPO status, post-procedure ride contact and call back number.

8. Assists during procedures as appropriate. Assumes responsibilities specific to the role of the Patient Care Technician.

9. Verbalizes clinical knowledge of patient identifiers and time out procedure.

10. Properly collects, handles, label and transports specimens in accordance with policy.

11. Cleans and disinfects all surgical equipment, utilizing sterilization techniques and asepsis.

12. Assists the nursing staff in transferring the patient to the Recovery Room.

13. Communicates order supplies and needs with other departments.

14. Participates in restocking of rooms and checking and cleaning equipment on a daily basis.

15. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working group's achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.

16. Adapts to changes in work schedule in a positive manner.

17. May assist physicians in application of casts, assembling materials (making splints, selecting webril and stockineete, cutting felt, etc.), holding limb removing casts with cast saw, and trimming casts with cast knife. May assist in the application of CPMs, cooling machines, braces and other devices.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to work within the semi-restricted and restricted environment of the Operating Room and other Perioperative support areas.

2. Stands under hot surgical lights for prolonged periods of time.

3. Possibility of muscle strain from lifting patients and heavy equipment, shocks and burns from cautery units and autoclaves. Possibility of cuts from sharp instruments.

4. Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, blood and bodily fluids, extreme noise levels, radiation, lasers, drastic fluctuations in ambient temperature, etc.

5. Ability to wear a protective lead apron for extended periods of time and exposure to radioactivity, harmful anesthesia gases and septic infections.

6. Requires frequent lifting and positioning of patients, materials, equipment, power tools, instruments, etc.

7. Frequent contacts with patients, physicians and nursing staff in Operating Room.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Advanced knowledge of aseptic technique and infection prevention practices.

2. Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, microbiology, and pharmacology to ensure that optimal patient care is provided.

3. Basic knowledge of computers, surgical equipment, and infrastructure.

4. Basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span.

5. Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively interact with staff, patients, physicians, vendors, and other departments within the hospital.

6. Demonstrates essential knowledge in all procedures related to their surgical specialty area and has sufficient general knowledge to assist in other specialties as needed.

7. Knowledge of personal and patient safety with the use of electrical cautery.