CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECH (CST) - FULL TIME

WATSON CLINIC ASC LLC•Lakeland, FL

About The Position

The Certified Surgical Tech performs patient care activities and supports the surgeon and perioperative team during surgical procedures. The role assists with patient positioning while protecting nerves and bony areas, maintaining body alignment, supporting vascular flow and respiratory ventilation, and preserving patient privacy. The technician prepares and maintains the surgical suite by cleaning, stocking, and replacing supplies; establishing and protecting the sterile field using aseptic technique; and checking equipment for safe operation and effective cleaning. The role follows Surgery Center protocols and manufacturers’ guidelines for the use, processing, and maintenance of supplies and equipment, removes defective equipment from service, and documents problems. During procedures, the technician sets up the sterile table and supplies according to Center standards, scrubs, gowns, and gloves according to policy, identifies specimens, prepares incisions, applies postoperative dressings according to surgeon preference, and assists with patient transport. The technician also supports instrument processing and room turnover, helps keep surgeon preference cards current, and provides instruments and supplies and other assistance as directed by the surgeon. The role works as an operating-room team member, including in stressful or crisis situations, and uses supplies with cost containment in mind.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Formal training as an operating-room technician.
Certification as a surgical technologist.
Must obtain ACLS certification within 3 months of employment.

Nice To Haves

CGRN preferred.

Responsibilities

Individualize perioperative care and assist with positioning patients to meet patient and surgeon needs while protecting nerves and bony areas, maintaining body alignment, supporting vascular flow and respiratory ventilation, and preserving privacy.
Prepare the surgical suite by cleaning, stocking, and replacing supplies.
Open sterile supplies onto the sterile field using aseptic techniques; maintain field integrity and initiate corrective measures when appropriate.
Follow Surgery Center protocols and manufacturers’ guidelines for the use, processing, and maintenance of supplies and equipment.
Check equipment for safe working order and effective cleaning; remove defective instruments and equipment from service and document the nature of problems.
Set up the sterile table with instruments, sutures, blades, electrosurgical equipment, suction, prostheses, and solutions required for each procedure according to Center standards.
Scrub, gown, and glove according to established Center policy.
Identify specimens and follow the surgeon’s special instructions.
Prepare the surgical incision and apply postoperative dressings according to surgeon preference.
Assist with patient transport.
Report needed changes to surgeon preference cards to the circulating nurse and check at case end that updates are complete.
Prepare instruments for return to the processing department for decontamination and sterilization.
Participate as an operating-room team member in room turnover.
Apply basic knowledge of solutions and medications used during procedures in accordance with operating-room standards.
Maintain supplies of sponges, fluids, sutures, and other materials during procedures.
Hand instruments and supplies to the surgeon, hold retractors, cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed during operations.
Pass surgical instruments with dexterity and economy of motion.
Function as a team member during stressful and crisis situations.
Use cost-containment principles when handling supplies.