Operating Room Assistant - Part-Time

Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois•Freeport, IL

3d•$17 - $24

About The Position

The Operating Room Assistant supports surgical teams by preparing patients and procedure rooms, maintaining sterile technique, managing supplies and equipment, and helping ensure efficient operating room workflow. The role includes patient transport, surgical skin preparation, room turnover, equipment maintenance, and participation in quality improvement activities. Work is performed in accordance with AORN standards, infection-control protocols, and patient-safety requirements. This is a part-time position scheduled for 27 hours per week across three 9-hour shifts. The day shift is 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The assistant may float to various units based on identified needs and works under supervision when performing specified sterile-technique skills.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Completion of Mercyhealth patient assistant orientation and competency required.
Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 days.
Patience and the ability to remain calm.
Ability to treat patients with dignity and respect.

Responsibilities

Provide assigned patient-care activities according to standards of care, shift routines, and policies and procedures.
Perform skills classified under sterile technique under the supervision of a Precepting ORA, Scrub Tech, or RN to determine correct sterility.
Hold retractors, limbs, and cameras under physician direction.
Open sterile supplies and prepare patients’ skin, including clipping.
Respond to call lights in a timely manner.
Document care activities according to standards.
Maintain a clean work and patient environment.
Maintain supplies by stocking and ordering supplies and disposing of expired or damaged supplies.
Float to various units based on identified needs.
Participate in department or unit quality-improvement activities.
Maintain, assemble, and disassemble equipment.
Assist with patient care activities including monitor application and positioning, room turnover, retractor procedures, and skin preparation.
Complete validation in the modified scrub role, including surgical scrub, gowning, and gloving.
Transport patients safely and promptly to the OR, ensuring they are ready for surgery upon arrival.
Orient new partners to room turnover, courier responsibilities, patient preparation, laptop use, supply maintenance, new purchases, and equipment validation.
Follow AORN principles of aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies.
Keep abreast of environmental standards, including infection control, OSHA, CDC, Joint Commission, and state requirements.
Dispose properly of hazardous materials, including blood, sharps, waste containers, and CO2 laser tanks.
Maintain the autoclave according to the equipment manual and OR protocol, including preparing cleaning chemicals and maintaining and cleaning autoclaves safely.
Ensure dirty case carts are transported to decontamination promptly.