Periop Surg Support Tech

University of Maryland Medical System•Baltimore, MD

About The Position

Under direct supervision of perioperative nursing, the Periop Surg Support Tech performs delegated functions, including those of an Operating Room Assistant. The role supports perioperative care by transporting patients, instruments, supplies, specimens, and equipment; helping prepare operating room suites and patients for surgery; maintaining cleanliness and sterile conditions; and responding to the needs of the surgical team. The position requires access to medication storage areas. During the initial 90-day employment period, the employee completes general, unit, and operating room orientation and training focused on surgical support processes, patient safety, aseptic technique, positioning, equipment, instrument care, transport, sanitation, PPE, and related perioperative duties. The employee is responsible for following infection-control, isolation, hazardous-waste, and patient-safety procedures, and for reporting adverse events, near misses, and potential risks.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
CPR certification.
Demonstrated knowledge of universal blood and body fluid precautions and aseptic technique.
Knowledge of the role in operating room emergency procedures, including codes, malignant hyperthermia, and fire.
Effective verbal communication and interpersonal skills for establishing working relationships with patients, visitors, and healthcare team members.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to provide care appropriate to the patient populations served, including understanding growth and development across the lifespan and assessing population- and age-specific patient needs.

Nice To Haves

One year of prior experience as an Operating Room Assistant or competent job performance in a hospital support services role.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain courteous, effective relationships with patients, visitors, coworkers, and other healthcare team members; respond promptly to verbal and written instructions.
Transfer patients between beds, chairs, wheelchairs, operating room tables, and stretchers, ensuring devices are locked.
Use appropriate body mechanics when moving, lifting, and transporting surgical equipment and instruments.
Transport surgical patients from same-day surgery and inpatient units to the operating room and PACU.
Transport surgical instruments to the Instrument Room and pull instruments and supplies for surgical cases using preference lists and pick tickets.
Help arrange operating room suites and transfer patients from stretchers to operating room tables.
Under the circulating nurse’s direction, set up equipment and supplies appropriate for surgical procedures.
Maintain cleanliness in assigned operating room suites, sub-sterile areas, and other specified locations.
Follow infection-control policies and apply isolation precautions, including contact, droplet, and airborne precautions, as required.
Use aseptic technique when performing procedures or following protocols requiring sterile conditions, and maintain the sterile environment.
Follow hazardous-waste precautions.
Initiate CPR when appropriate and within the limits of training, and attend mandatory hospital in-services, including CPR training.
Perform the surgical support technologist role according to UMMC Perioperative Services standards and recommendations.
Maintain patient safety during positioning, including lithotomy, prone, and lateral positions.
Anticipate equipment conflicts and respond to urgent and emergent needs with alternative solutions to support the surgical team and circulator.
Identify and use appropriate personal protective equipment and wear surgical attire according to policy in and out of the surgical environment.
Transport specimens, such as blood and pathology samples, to and from the Laboratory department as needed.
Facilitate transport and storage of sterile supplies, intravenous fluids, and irrigation fluids within the perioperative environment.
Assist with preparatory procedures in the operating room, including holding limbs during the prepping process.
Help staff move equipment and return it to the appropriate storage area.
Take action to correct observed patient-safety risks, report adverse events and near misses to the appropriate management authority, and communicate potential risks in processes, procedures, or devices to those in charge.