Surgical Technician/LPN - Operating Room

Cayuga Medical Center

34d•$25 - $36

About The Position

Under the direction of the Unit Director, the Surgical Technician/LPN meets and maintains Arnot Health and Surgical Department qualifications and performance standards. The role includes providing documentation of educational classes, CPR, and applicable certifications, as well as participating in Performance Improvement programs. The Surgical Technician assists nursing staff with assigned patient-care functions under RN supervision. The position reports to the Assistant Unit Director and/or Director of Surgical Services. The role provides direct and indirect support for surgical patients and practitioners. Duties include preparing operating rooms and sterile supplies, assisting with patient positioning and preparation, acting as a surgical scrub assistant, maintaining counts of sponges, needles, and instruments with the RN, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, assisting during emergencies, and helping care for surgical specimens. The employee may also support perioperative care, transport patients and items, perform departmental errands, and work in other Arnot Health locations where surgical services are provided. The position also involves following Standard Precautions and sterile technique, recognizing and reporting changes in patient status and safety concerns, understanding emergency procedures, communicating effectively, maintaining equipment and work areas, and providing patients with attentive, compassionate care. The duties listed are typical and are not exhaustive.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of surgical technology; appropriate training through military services or the Public Health commissioned Corps; or be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with previous surgical experience.
Surgical technician experience as described in the posting, including employment as a surgical technologist in a healthcare facility for a cumulative period of one year within the four years immediately prior to 1/5/15, where applicable.
Graduates of an accredited program must hold and maintain credentialing; those not credentialed must obtain it within one year of hire.
Complete 15 hours of continuing education annually to remain qualified to practice in surgical technology.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within 90 days of hire.
Ability to meet the physical demands of an active position, including reaching above the head, extensive walking, stooping, standing, lifting up to 50 pounds, and moderate sitting.
Bilateral arm and finger dexterity; hearing and eyesight within normal range.
Perform all aspects of Standard Precautions while engaging in patient care.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate knowledge of Standard Precautions, sterile technique, and basic anatomy relevant to surgical procedures.
Provide age-appropriate care within the scope of a Surgical Technician’s duties and responsibilities in the Surgical Department.
Demonstrate knowledge of the use, maintenance, and care of surgical instruments and equipment.
Assemble and set up operating rooms with supplies, instruments, appliances, and procedure-specific equipment; prepare the scrub table and mayo stand.
Assist licensed practitioners with moving and positioning patients for surgery.
Assist with non-invasive skin preparation and hold for surgical preps as required.
Assist licensed practitioners with draping patients for surgery.
Act as a surgical scrub assistant in accordance with OR standards.
Maintain and verify counts of sponges, needles, and instruments with the RN, reporting correctness and discrepancies according to Arnot Health policies and procedures.
Assist with and anticipate the surgeon’s needs during procedures.
Function as a second circulator under the direct supervision of an RN.
Assist the physician or RN in emergency situations.
Work in other Arnot Health areas where surgical services may be provided.
Assist with maintaining and caring for surgical specimens according to accepted standards to prevent loss or damage.
Assist with perioperative care, which may include making beds, assisting with cast applications, staying with restless or disturbed patients, and lifting, transferring, or transporting patients.
Perform Surgical Department errands, including transporting blood, laboratory items, X-rays, pharmacy items, supplies, equipment, or carts.
Follow risk-management and safety practices and report concerns appropriately.
Understand Arnot Health emergency procedures and the employee’s role in fire safety, Code Blue, disaster, and hazard procedures.
Give accurate reports between shifts and when relieved of designated patient-care activities.
Recognize changes in patient status and advise appropriate personnel.
Apply quality-improvement principles and complete assignments with consistent quality and quantity of work.
Care for equipment properly and use supplies cost-effectively.
Prioritize and use time effectively.
Demonstrate appropriate problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
Communicate constructive ideas and adapt to changing work conditions.
Help maintain the department, including sanitizing rooms between procedures and keeping assigned work areas clean and neat.
Interact with patients in a friendly, caring, and attentive manner and maintain communication to support a secure and pleasant experience.
Complete 15 hours of continuing education annually to remain qualified to practice in surgical technology.
Maintain required credentialing; graduates of an accredited program who are not credentialed must obtain it within one year of hire.
Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) within 90 days of hire.