Surgical Technician 2 - Certified, Full Time

University of Miami•Miami, FL

About The Position

The Surgical Technologist 2 works under a surgeon’s supervision to support the safe and effective conduct of invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures. The role helps maintain a safe operating-room environment, verifies that equipment functions properly, and supports conditions that maximize patient safety. The technologist applies asepsis and sterile-technique principles together with knowledge of anatomy, surgical procedures, tools, and technologies to facilitate therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. As a member of the surgical team, the technologist serves in the scrub-person role, handling the instruments, supplies, and equipment needed during procedures, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, and maintaining the sterile field. The position demonstrates advanced knowledge and proficient practice in the first scrub role for the majority of surgical procedures, including knowledge of advanced techniques and emergent situations. It involves collaboration with peers on surgical-patient-care decisions, serving as an informal resource to less-experienced technologists, supporting student training and new-technologist onboarding, and acting as a mentor and role model. The technologist reviews operational efficiency and productivity measures, including First Case On Time Starts (FCOTS) and Turn Around Time (TAT). Duties may be expanded as needed. Department-specific work includes preparing for procedures, setting up and maintaining the sterile field, assisting the surgical team, passing instruments and supplies, handling medications and specimens, performing counts, preparing dressings, and cleaning and preparing instruments and the operating room for subsequent patients.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and/or graduation from an accredited Surgical Technology program.
Current AHA Basic Life Support certificate required.
Minimum 2 years of relevant experience.
Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
Commitment to the University’s core values.
Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.
Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of equipment and supplies located in the operating room.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Surgical Technologist preferred.

Responsibilities

Don surgical attire and personal protective equipment.
Gather, check, and open supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedures.
Perform the surgical scrub and don gown and gloves.
Set up the sterile back table and Mayo stand with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications or solutions needed for the procedure.
Perform initial instrument, sharps, and sponge counts with the circulating nurse, and perform additional counts as required by policy.
Assist team members with gowning and gloving, drape the patient, and establish the sterile field.
Participate in surgical-site and patient verification during the time-out procedure.
Secure tubing, cords, and other sterile accessories.
Prepare and anticipate additional instrumentation, equipment, and supplies needed during procedures.
Anticipate the surgeon’s needs by passing instruments and supplies during procedures.
Maintain a neat, organized sterile field and the highest standard of sterile technique.
Label medications and solutions on the surgical field according to National Patient Safety Goals.
Measure and pass medications, hemostatic agents, and irrigation solutions used during procedures.
Hold retractors or instruments as directed, sponge or suction the operative site, and cut suture material as directed by the surgeon.
Prepare sterile dressings and immobilization devices.
Prepare and pass off specimens as appropriate.
Clean and prepare instruments for terminal sterilization; return instruments for decontamination and unused supplies and instruments to designated areas.
Assist team members with room sanitation and cleaning and prepare the operating room for the next patient.
Support training of students and onboarding of new surgical technologists; serve as a mentor and role model and an informal resource for less-experienced technologists.
Collaborate with peers on surgical-patient-care decisions and review efficiency and productivity measures, including FCOTS and TAT.