Surgical Tech Cert. - CMC

Lexington Medical Center • Columbia, SC

3d

About The Position

The certified surgical technologist works under the supervision of a registered nurse and medical staff to support the safe and effective conduct of invasive and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The role helps maintain a safe operating-room environment, ensures equipment functions properly, and supports conditions that maximize patient safety. It requires knowledge of sterile and aseptic technique, human anatomy, surgical procedures, and the instruments and technologies used in therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

The technologist prepares the operating room and sterile field, anticipates supplies and procedural needs, handles instruments and supplies, assists with patient positioning and preparation, and supports the surgeon during procedures within the role’s scope of practice. The position also involves inventory and equipment checks, infection-control and sterilization practices, documentation, counts, post-procedure room turnover, and collaboration with nursing, anesthesia, surgeons, and other staff. Additional responsibilities may include robotic first-assist duties for appropriately trained and privileged staff, and secretarial duties for surgical technologists assigned to Labor and Delivery.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• National certification through NBSTSA; other certifications may be accepted under HR Recruitment policy.
• CPR certification.
• Completion of a recognized vocational or hospital-based Operating Room Technician course or equivalent.
• No minimum years of experience required.

Responsibilities

• Perform assigned patient-care tasks under the direction and supervision of a designated registered nurse and perform procedural tasks under the surgeon’s direction.
• Assess and anticipate supplies, patient comfort and safety measures, and the surgeon’s needs; pass instruments, sponges, and sutures to facilitate procedures.
• Prepare and disinfect the operating room, furniture, and equipment for scheduled and emergent procedures.
• Use proper sterile technique and establish the sterile field for routine and special surgical procedures.
• Use supplies and equipment efficiently; charge for and replace used supplies; check, restock, and inventory supplies, including rotating dated items and reordering as assigned or needed.
• Ensure items used during a procedure are replaced in inventory, charged for, and reported to the case circulator.
• Use surgical instruments with dexterity and follow the steps of the specific procedure.
• Assist with and document equipment, drug, and environmental checks as required by policies and regulatory agencies.
• Follow infection-control procedures and apply knowledge of decontamination, packaging, and sterilization of instruments and supplies.
• Work with the circulating nurse and anesthesia personnel to position the patient, prepare the operative site, and drape the patient; assist anesthesia personnel when necessary during anesthetic administration.
• Perform surgeon-directed duties such as holding retractors, suctioning, clamping vessels, and applying dressings; act as a first or second assistant within scope of practice when the surgeon’s first assistant is absent, excluding suturing, injecting medications, and cutting tissue.
• Assist with moving the patient from the operating table to a stretcher and transporting the patient to the recovery room.
• Clear the operating room after surgery, including disposal of contaminated linen and waste, cleaning instruments when necessary, and disinfecting equipment.
• Participate in counts with the circulating nurse to ensure counts are correct.
• Collaborate with the Associate Care Manager/Registered Nurse to update the nursing plan of care and recommend interventions for identified patient goals.
• Evaluate and recommend updates to surgeon preference cards and notify appropriate personnel of needed changes.
• Label drugs on the field and prepare labels and verify specimens according to protocol and surgeon preference.
• Document sterilization procedures, verify initials on instrument count sheets, and sign preference lists when case-pulling is completed.
• Identify personal educational needs and participate in peer review as requested.
• Precept new staff and students by sharing procedural knowledge.
• Coordinate treatments and procedures to support cost-effective patient care.
• Work with appropriate HCTMs to obtain necessary supplies and equipment.
• Maintain accountability for the patient-care environment, report malfunctioning equipment, maintain instrumentation, and report patient-safety concerns.
• Report pertinent patient information to the Associate Care Manager/Registered Nurse involved in care.
• Read and initial new policies, procedures, meeting minutes, and memos.
• Answer the telephone appropriately, post cases for surgeons, and take and relay messages.
• Act as a liaison to sterile processing and participate in performance-improvement activities.
• Contribute to the development and revision of standards and policies as needs are identified.
• Use information from monitors and research to inform changes in practice.
• Maintain working knowledge of operating-room emergency protocols, emergency procedures, and surgical setups needed to manage an emergency.
• For qualified robotic first assistants: prepare robotic components, instruments, and accessories; assist with robotic procedures; troubleshoot equipment malfunctions with the team; support responses to patient complications, including conversion to an open procedure; and initially decontaminate robotic instruments and accessories after procedures.
• For surgical technologists in Labor and Delivery, perform assigned secretarial functions, including maintaining patient records, ordering lab work and supplies, transcribing physician orders, and other assigned clerical duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and life insurance benefits available on day one for benefit-eligible employees and their families.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• 403(b) match plan enrollment available on day one, with a dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 6%.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to one times salary.
• Optional supplemental life insurance with low-cost premiums, up to three times salary.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student loan forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED