CST, Certified Surgical Technologist - Alamo Heights Surgery Center

CHRISTUS Health•San Antonio, TX

11d

About The Position

The Certified Surgical Technologist performs technical duties to prepare and care for pre-operative patients and assist with direct patient care in the operating room before and during surgical procedures, under the direction of a professional nurse. The role includes preparing patient skin for surgery, maintaining aseptic technique, providing comfort and support while respecting patient privacy, transporting and positioning patients, and identifying and caring for biological specimens. The technologist prepares the operating room by setting up tables, instruments, and supplies according to the procedure and physician preference card. The position establishes and maintains the sterile field, passes instruments and sutures to the physician, and assists as directed. It requires effective teamwork, safe and aseptic practices, knowledge of surgical supplies, instruments, and equipment, and adherence to universal barrier precautions and operating-room policies. The technologist monitors and controls the surgical environment, maintains traffic control and dress-code standards, and follows facility procedures for decontamination, processing, and sterilization. Patient care must be adapted to the physical, psychosocial, cultural, age-specific, and developmental needs of each patient. The role also includes keeping physician preference cards current and performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Completion of a Surgical Technology program or an accredited LVN/LPN program.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Certified Surgical Technologist certification within 180 days of graduation or an LVN/LPN license.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of experience preferred.
Ability to proficiently scrub three specialty areas, such as Transplants, Open Heart, Urology, Neurology, Titanium Rib, or Robotics, is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform processes related to direct patient care and assistance in the operating room before and during surgical procedures, under the direction of a professional nurse.
Prepare patient skin for surgery in accordance with hospital standards.
Maintain aseptic technique and monitor for circumstances that could lead to breaches in aseptic technique.
Provide comfort and support to pre-operative patients while demonstrating sensitivity to patient care and privacy.
Transport patients to and from the operating room suite and position them according to the type of surgery.
Identify and care for biological specimens.
Prepare the operating room by setting up tables, instruments, and supplies according to the type of case.
Establish and maintain the sterile field, pass instruments and sutures to the physician, and assist as directed.
Use physician preference cards when pulling cases and setting up the operating room; keep the cards as current and complete as possible.
Work effectively as a member of the patient care team and cooperate in team planning and execution.
Maintain a safe environment through technical and aseptic practices and adherence to Universal Barrier Precautions.
Demonstrate clinical expertise in the use and care of surgical supplies, instruments, and equipment.
Monitor and control the surgical environment, including traffic control, dress codes, and operating-room sanitation policies and procedures.
Follow facility policies and procedures for decontamination, processing, and sterilization of instruments and supplies.
Adapt patient assessment, treatment, and care methods to meet the unique physical, psychosocial, cultural, age-specific, and developmental needs of patients.
Meet the expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
Perform other duties as assigned.