CH Surgical Tech - OB - Full Time

Guthrie Enterprise•Corning, NY

About The Position

The Surgical Technician-Obstetrics works under the direction of the Unit Manager, Charge Nurse, and nursing staff to provide care to obstetrical patients and their infants using a patient- and family-centered model and following professional practice and unit standards. The role prepares patients, equipment, and supplies for deliveries and special obstetrical procedures, and assists the obstetrical surgical team in the Labor and Delivery unit. It includes providing basic personal and restorative nursing care and assisting with procedures by passing instruments, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, and maintaining the sterile field. The technician prepares the room for surgery or delivery and accounts for the supplies and instruments needed at the surgical table. Routine clerical duties may also be performed as needed. The technician maintains clinical knowledge and skills through continuing education, in-service programs, and self-study. The role also supports patient care under an RN’s direction, including assisting with patient mobility, basic care tasks, documentation, specimen collection, transport, and unit support activities. The technician communicates observations and changes in patient condition to the RN, participates in care planning and quality assurance, and follows hospital and nursing department policies and procedures.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist School, or an LPN with a current license in the state of practice, or completion of an appropriate U.S. military or Public Health Service Commissioned Corps surgical technology training program.
Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification from NBSTSA required within one year of employment, unless licensed as an LPN.
Basic Life Support certification.
Minimum of one year of experience as an LPN or technician.
Practice within the scope of nursing care and applicable policies, procedures, and New York licensure requirements for LPNs or surgical technicians.

Responsibilities

Prepare patients, equipment, and supplies for deliveries and special obstetrical procedures.
Assist the obstetrical surgical team, pass instruments, anticipate the surgeon’s needs, and maintain the sterile field during procedures.
Prepare the room before surgery or delivery and account for required instruments, sutures, and other items for the surgical table.
Prepare and assemble sterile and non-sterile supplies, maintain exposure using instruments and retractors, and handle and maintain instruments according to guidelines.
Work with the care team in caring for obstetric and neonatal patients and communicate patient observations and condition changes to healthcare providers and the RN.
Maintain a clean, safe environment; keep equipment clean and in working order; and report equipment requiring repair or replacement.
Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement activities.
Assist with patient care under an RN’s direction, including observing patients, transfers and ambulation, Foley catheter discontinuation, simple dressing changes, surgical preparations, and peripheral IV catheter removal.
Collaborate with the nursing team on patient-centered goals and the plan of care, assist the RN in evaluating responses to interventions, and recommend care-plan changes to the RN.
Perform nursing skills and procedures within the applicable scope of practice and clinical area; assist with patient and family health education.
Prioritize assignments and manage daily patient-care work.
Document care and report changes in patient condition accurately, thoroughly, and promptly; record vital signs, height, length, weight, intake and output, meals, activities of daily living, and activities.
Collect urine, stool, and sputum specimens, instruct patients in proper collection techniques, and document quality-control procedures for testing protocols.
Transport patients and beds to the operating room; serve, set up, and retrieve trays; distribute water and nourishment; transport blood products; make photocopies; and perform other errands in a timely manner.
Support patient safety and satisfaction by responding to call bells, making rounds as indicated, reporting suspected abuse, addressing equipment issues, maintaining tidy patient areas, managing patient belongings, and maintaining supplies and equipment storage.
Recognize emergency situations and initiate the appropriate action; notify the RN of patient condition changes and point-of-care testing results within scope.
Follow hospital and nursing department policies, maintain CPR certification, use equipment and supplies appropriately, complete orientation skills checklists, seek assistance with unfamiliar procedures, attend in-service programs and staff meetings, and participate in service and care improvement.
Assist with orientation of new personnel, serve as a role model, and accept appropriate non-routine assignments.
Perform routine clerical duties as needed and access secured storage areas when required for essential job duties.