Certified Surgical Technologist

Winona Health • Winona, MN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) is a health care professional who provides specific services in the Surgery Department under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The CST is active in the patient care process and collaborates with the RN to deliver quality and safe health care. The CST understands the surgery environment and patient care process. They provide care while meeting physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and educational needs of the patient and family. The CST collaborates with the RN to modify the plan of care based on the needs of the patient and reports changes in the patient's condition to the RN.

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
• Verbalizes role in codes
• Basic computer skills: Word, Excel, Outlook, and Patient Information Database (Cerner)

Responsibilities

• Keeps updated on current patient care practice, medications, and legal issues.
• Follows best practice recommendations including but not limited to: AORN, AST, Perioperative Guidelines and organization wide policies and procedures.
• Works closely with the surgeon while recognizing surgeon preferences and preference card details.
• In coordination with the RN, assembles the necessary instruments, supplies, and equipment for the surgical procedure.
• Checks that all equipment is functioning properly before use.
• Notifies RN of defects, removes defective equipment from the patient care area, labels and documents defect and need for repair in order to maintain a safe environment.
• Practices safe site surgery techniques including but not limited to time out standard work and stops the line when safety issues or concerns with patient care occur.
• Performs sponge, needle, and instrument counts with the RN in accordance to policy/procedure.
• Consults with the RN to revise surgeon preference cards.
• Demonstrates an understanding of surgical Applies knowledge to set up cases by pre-operative scrubbing, gowning, gloving, instrumentation, sutures, assisting surgeons with gowning and gloving, draping patients, and/or assisting surgeon with draping; intra-operative coordinating and passing of instrumentation and being alert to the needs of the surgeon, post-operative drape removal from patient, removal of contaminated instruments and transport to the decontamination room for processing, safe disposal of all sharps, and proper disposal of trash and linen.
• Is constantly vigilant to the safety needs of the patient and takes necessary precautions as warranted.
• Follows recommended infection control/prevention procedures.
• Follows department specific policies, procedures, standard work and assists in updating the standard work content as needed.
• Understands the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon.
• Has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is vigilant for maintenance of the sterile field.
• Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.
• Assists other members of team with terminal cleaning of room.
• Assists in prepping room for the next patient.
• Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out procedure.
• Secures tubing, cords, and other sterile accessories.
• Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents, and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure.
• Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.
• Sponges or suctions the operative site.
• Applies electrocautery to clamps on bleeders.
• Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon.
• Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
• Prepares and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate.
• Review the patient's chart, identifies patient, verifies surgery to be performed with consent forms, and brings the patient to the assigned operating room.
• Assists with transferring patient to the operating room table.
• Monitors the comfort of the patient and provides verbal and tactile reassurance to the patient.
• Assists with positioning the patient, using appropriate equipment and anatomical principles to avoid patient injury.
• Assists with applying tourniquets and monitors before the procedure.
• Anticipates additional supplies needed during the procedure.
• Attends focus board and mandatory staff meetings and completes educational requirements of Winona Health.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Options for medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as mental health support and wellness incentives
• Income Protection: Short and long-term disability, plus additional benefits like accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal assistance, and identity protection plans
• Retirement Planning: Access to a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions once eligibility requirements are met
• Work/Life Balance: Flexible scheduling, paid time off, and earned sick time to support personal well-being
• Education & Development: Paid training, tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and sponsored seminars to foster both personal and professional growth
• Employee Discounts: Special offers with local businesses, including the YMCA and cell phone providers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees