Surgical Technician, Certified

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

40d

About The Position

University of Utah Health seeks a certified surgical technician to assist the surgical team as the primary scrub technician during surgical procedures. The technician handles instruments, supplies, and equipment; maintains vigilance over the sterile field; and continually learns techniques to support specialty surgical services. The role also assists with instrument and equipment maintenance and supply inventory. Depending on location, mandatory call and holiday or weekend shifts may be required. The position may involve accessing and handling medications within the technician’s scope of practice, under provider direction, and according to state law. University of Utah Health is part of the University of Utah, a Level 1 Trauma Center recognized for academic research, quality standards, and patient experience. The organization includes five hospitals and eleven clinics. The employee must be able to meet the position’s requirements with or without accommodation. Work takes place in a healthcare setting, may involve lifting or moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and includes potential exposure to contaminated body fluids, needles, blades, bone shavings, glass, and other contaminants. Protective attire must be worn at all times. The role requires standing or walking for long periods.

Requirements

Ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
Knowledge of medical terminology, physiology, and anatomy.
Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to provide care appropriate to the population served, including the age of patients on the assigned unit.
Ability to alert operating room staff to breaks in the sterile field and take appropriate corrective measures, using interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
Ability to maintain a fast pace, work for multiple surgeons, and anticipate their individual needs and preferences.
Ability to ensure proper care, maintenance, and coordination of surgical instruments and supplies.
Knowledge of life-span growth and development principles and ability to assess patient-status data and provide care as described in departmental policies and procedures.
Successful completion of an accredited O.R. Technician program or military training as a scrub technician, or two years of hands-on experience as a surgical technician.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system, to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Current certification as a Certified Technologist in Surgery (TS-C) through NCCT or Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) through NBSTSA.
Additional licenses as determined by the hiring department.
Ability to meet physical requirements, with or without accommodation, including carrying, climbing, color determination, crawling, far and near vision, lifting, listening, manual dexterity, pushing or pulling, reaching, sitting, speaking, standing, stooping or crouching, and walking.

Responsibilities

Check supplies, instrumentation, and equipment needed for surgical procedures and ensure they are working properly.
Open sterile supplies and set up the table for each surgical procedure.
Provide a sterile field, ensure surgical team members are properly attired, and assist the surgeon with draping the patient to isolate the operative site.
Maintain the sterile field using aseptic techniques and inform the surgeon or surgical team of infractions.
Anticipate and pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon.
Follow perioperative count policy, including counting sharps, instruments, and sponges in collaboration with the circulating nurse.
Know which counted items are used at the sterile field.
Clean, wrap, and prepare instruments for sterilization.
Assist in maintaining specialty surgical services.
Prepare the sterile dressing for the patient's incision.
Orient medical and nursing students and technicians to the unit.
Assist in developing unit goals and objectives, quality improvement, and cost-containment measures.
Arrange for borrowing or lending equipment as directed.