Operating Room Assistant

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital•Brattleboro, VT

7d•$17 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Operating Room Assistant (ORA) functions as a member of the surgical team under the direct supervision of a registered perioperative nurse and/or the director. The ORA assists in maintaining a safe, efficient, and organized surgical environment. The ORA supports patient care activities and contributes to workflow efficiency within the sterile and non-sterile areas of the operating room. DEPT. SCOPE OF SERVICE: Perioperative Services consists of the Operating Room (OR), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU), Endoscopy, Minor Procedures and Sterile Processing Dept. Patients are cared for from 10 months until the end of life. General surgery, OB/GYN, orthopedic, urology, dental, ophthalmology, and podiatry are performed in the three rooms. Endoscopy is performed in the Endo suite or OR Rooms. Cesarean sections are performed in the Birthing Center operating room. Perioperative Services is staffed by Registered Nurses, Surgical Technologists, Scheduler/Assistant Staffing Coordinators, Sterile Processing Technicians, LNA, Operating Room Assistant, OR & ACU/ PACU Supervisors and a Director of Perioperative Services. The OR provides care 24 hrs a day, each day of the year for patients aged ten months until the end of life. The OR’s elective schedule is from 7:00am to 3:30pm. Care is coordinated between physician offices, the OR, Anesthesiology, and the Perioperative Director. Predictable starting times for surgery and admitting times for patients are established by the Director or designee. The PACU has an area for the immediate preoperative care and reassessment of patients for surgery, for the admission and discharge of select ACU patients, and primarily, for the provision of intensive observation and care of patients following operative and special procedures. Sterile Processing processes and decontaminates instruments and equipment for the OR and Nursing Units house wide. The ACU, cares for surgical /medical patients, and providing pre and postoperative care and education services. Pre Anesthesia Screening area is staffed by a RN’s, Workflow Coordinator and Unit Secretary. Patients are interviewed prior to surgery, pre-op consults and test results reviewed and anesthesia guidelines followed to assure adequate patient assessment and preparation prior to surgery.

Requirements

Education: High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
Experience: One year’s clinical experience in accredited hospital with OR experience preferred.
Licensure/Certification: None Required
Mental Efforts: Requires manual dexterity.
Normal vision/hearing or corrected.
OSHA CATEGORY OSHA Category I - Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues require use of techniques of Universal Precautions as evidenced with blood borne pathogens standards.

Responsibilities

Patient Care Support Assists with patient transport to and from the operating room or PACU/ACU to Floors.
Assists with patient positioning and transfers under RN direction.
Assists in preparation of the operating room prior to patient arrival.
Supports patient comfort and safety measures as directed.
Assists with application of positioning devices and safety equipment.
Room Preparation & Turnover Assists with room turnover between cases, including cleaning and disinfection of surfaces according to infection prevention standards.
Removes trash and linen in accordance with hospital and regulatory guidelines.
Restocks supplies and ensures rooms are organized and ready for subsequent cases.
Assists with equipment & room setup and breakdown as directed.
Equipment & Supply Management Retrieves equipment, supplies, blood products, and medications as requested by the perioperative team.
Stocks core areas, sub-sterile rooms, and storage areas.
Assists in maintaining par levels and communicating supply needs.
Ensures equipment is cleaned and returned to proper storage locations
Communication & Coordination Relays messages between surgical team members, anesthesia, PACU/ACU, and other departments.
Assists with clerical and secretarial duties as needed.
Answers phones and assists with case flow coordination.
Supports workflow efficiency by anticipating team needs.
Environmental & Safety Responsibilities Maintains a clean and safe environment in accordance with infection prevention and hospital standards.
Follows proper PPE and sterile field awareness protocols.
Reports safety concerns, equipment malfunctions, or supply issues promptly.
Participates in quality and safety initiatives as requested.