Certified Surgical Technologist

Winona Health • Winona, MN

28d • $30 - $38

About The Position

The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) provides specific services in the Surgery Department under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The CST participates in patient care and collaborates with the RN to provide safe, quality care, address the patient’s physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and educational needs, modify the plan of care as needed, and report changes in the patient’s condition to the RN.

The CST supports surgical procedures by preparing and maintaining the sterile field, assembling and checking instruments and equipment, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, and assisting before, during, and after procedures. The role includes patient verification and positioning, surgical counts, infection prevention, equipment safety, specimen handling, and cleaning and preparing the room and instruments for subsequent use. The position is 0.80–0.90 FTE, or 64–72 hours per pay period. The schedule is during the day, with hours between 6:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., and includes a late-stay requirement and call rotations for weekends and holidays. Starting pay is $30.36–$37.95, based on experience. A $15,000 sign-on bonus is offered.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist program.
• Certified as a Surgical Technologist by the National Board of Surgical Technology and/or the Association of Surgical Technologists.
• BLS certification.
• Able to verbalize the role in codes.
• Basic computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and the Patient Information Database (Cerner).

Responsibilities

• Keep current on patient care practices, medications, and legal issues.
• Follow best-practice recommendations, including AORN, AST, and perioperative guidelines, as well as organizational policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the surgeon and recognize surgeon preferences and preference card details.
• Coordinate with the RN to assemble instruments, supplies, and equipment for procedures; check equipment function and report, remove, label, and document defective equipment for repair.
• Use safe-site surgery practices, including time-out procedures, and stop the line when patient-care safety concerns arise.
• Perform sponge, needle, and instrument counts with the RN according to policy and procedure.
• Consult with the RN to revise surgeon preference cards.
• Prepare for procedures through scrubbing, gowning, gloving, instrumentation, sutures, assisting with gowning and gloving, and patient draping; coordinate and pass instruments during procedures; and assist with post-procedure drape removal, contaminated instrument transport, and appropriate sharps, trash, and linen disposal.
• Remain vigilant about patient safety and maintain the sterile field throughout operative procedures.
• Follow infection-control and prevention procedures and department policies, procedures, and standard work; assist with updating standard work as needed.
• Understand the procedure and anticipate the surgeon’s needs.
• Clean and prepare instruments for terminal sterilization, assist with terminal room cleaning, and prepare the room for the next patient.
• Participate in surgical-site and patient verification during the time-out procedure.
• Secure tubing, cords, and other sterile accessories.
• Measure and pass medications, hemostatic agents, and irrigation solutions used during surgery.
• Hold retractors or instruments as directed, sponge or suction the operative site, apply electrocautery to clamps on bleeders, and cut suture material as directed by the surgeon.
• Coordinate the camera or change robotic arms and instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
• Prepare and pass specimens as appropriate.
• Review the patient’s chart, identify the patient, verify the planned surgery against consent forms, and bring the patient to the assigned operating room.
• Assist with transferring and positioning the patient, using appropriate equipment and anatomical principles to avoid injury; monitor comfort and provide verbal and tactile reassurance.
• Assist with applying tourniquets and monitor them before the procedure.
• Anticipate additional supplies needed during procedures.
• Attend focus board and mandatory staff meetings and complete Winona Health educational requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A $15,000 sign-on bonus is offered.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options, as well as mental health support and wellness incentives.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage, with additional options including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal assistance, and identity protection plans.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions after eligibility requirements are met.
• Flexible scheduling, paid time off, and earned sick time.
• Paid training, tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and sponsored seminars.
• Employee discounts with local businesses, including the YMCA and cell phone providers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: Associate degree