PRN Operating Room Tech-Surgical Services

Ashe Memorial Hospital•Jefferson, NC

About The Position

The Operating Room Tech assists surgeons during operative and invasive procedures, working independently or collaboratively with the surgical suite team. The role prepares the operating room and ensures needed instruments, supplies, and equipment are available and functioning. It also monitors supply levels and maintains surgical instruments and power equipment, including washing, assembling, and sterilizing them under the supervision of the Nurse Manager/Director of Surgical Services. Instrument processing must follow hospital policy and applicable AORN, AAMI, OSHA, CDC, TJC, and other regulatory standards to ensure timely availability and a safe environment. The position handles confidential patient and surgical information, participates in staff meetings and performance-improvement activities, and performs work in accordance with Ashe Memorial Hospital’s mission, vision, and values. It has no supervisory responsibilities. The technician provides support throughout the surgical procedure, including preparing the room, assisting with patient positioning and preparation, maintaining aseptic technique, managing specimens and counts, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, and protecting patient safety, privacy, and dignity. The position also cleans and restocks rooms between cases, transports contaminated instruments appropriately, and processes instruments and equipment after procedures. Additional duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school graduation is preferred.
Completion of an approved Surgical Technology Program is preferred.
Current knowledge of asepsis principles and surgical techniques.
Prior operating-room work experience and/or experience with sterile technique is preferred.
One of the following credentials: NC CNA certification, Certified Operating Room Tech, Certified Medical Assistant, or Paramedic.
BLS certification.
Must be willing to receive required vaccinations; new employees must provide proof of vaccination or obtain an exemption before starting work.
Criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen are required after a conditional job offer.

Nice To Haves

High school graduation.
Completion of an approved Surgical Technology Program.
Prior operating-room work experience and/or experience with sterile technique.

Responsibilities

Assist the surgeon during operative and invasive procedures.
Prepare the operating room with anticipated instruments, sutures, supplies, and equipment using physicians’ preference cards.
Interact professionally with patients and families, providing explanations and verbal reassurance as needed.
Adapt procedures to the needs of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
Care for and accurately handle specimens.
Assist with patient positioning, prepping, and draping.
Perform operating-room counts of instruments, sponges, and needles; follow procedures for incorrect counts and report or correct discrepancies.
Maintain medical and surgical asepsis, observe for breaks in sterile technique, and respond according to departmental standards.
Maintain a safe environment and verify drugs and solutions received from the circulating nurse according to policy.
Participate in side/site and procedure verification with the team and patient.
Check equipment and instruments before procedures, organize cases, and identify supply or equipment conflicts.
Open sterile supplies, maintain and handle special equipment and instruments, troubleshoot equipment, and teach other staff members as able.
Protect patient privacy and sensitivities and observe patients with minimal disturbance.
Set up and scrub for procedures at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time unless otherwise directed.
Maintain an orderly, sterile instrument table and anticipate the surgeon’s intraoperative needs.
Clean and prepare rooms between procedures and after the final case; restock supplies and return furniture, sutures, and equipment to their proper locations.
Care for instruments and equipment during and after procedures, including cleaning and processing; transport contaminated instruments covered to the decontamination area.
Follow written steam-sterilization procedures and perform chemical and biological monitoring responsibilities.
Consult other staff when unfamiliar with equipment or procedures.
Collaborate with the OR nursing team to maintain equipment and supplies and update physicians’ preference cards.
Use sound judgment within the Operating Room Technician’s scope of practice and open only supplies and instruments needed to promote cost effectiveness and reduce waste.
Select appropriate instruments and trays for assigned cases and anticipate needs by having supplies and instruments available.
Use Standard Precautions and infection-control measures as required by policy.
Perform other duties as assigned.