Surgical Technologist Certified, Operating Room

Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois•Janesville, WI

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Technologist Certified in the Operating Room is responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures. This role requires a thorough understanding of the procedures being performed to anticipate the surgeon's needs and ensure quality patient care while maintaining a sterile field. The technologist assists the surgical team before, during, and after surgery, including preparing the operating room, assisting with patient positioning and draping, performing counts, and passing instruments. They are expected to maintain the highest standards of sterile technique and may assist the surgeon directly during the procedure. Additionally, this role involves assisting with cleaning and preparing the operating room for subsequent patients, participating in performance improvement activities, and fostering positive interpersonal relations within the healthcare team. The technologist must adapt to physician preferences, communicate updates to the Team Lead, and serve as a mentor and educator for new employees and surgical technology students, promoting national certification and professional growth.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred
Graduate of a CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program required
LPN grandfathered (3) at Rockford campus in lieu of Surgical Technology program
Certified Surgical Technologist through NBSTSA
Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 days
IL LPN Licensure grandfathered (3) at Rockford campus in lieu of Certified Surgical Technologist through NBSTSA

Responsibilities

Handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure.
Has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon.
Has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field.
Checks instruments, supplies, and equipment needed for surgical procedures.
Scrubs, gowns, gloves, and sets up sterile table with instruments and supplies, equipment and medications/solutions needed for each procedure.
Assists with patient placement and positioning on the table.
Assists in draping sterile field according to procedure/physician preference.
Performs appropriate counts for sponges, needles, and instruments with circulator according to policy prior to the operation and before incision is closed.
Gowns and gloves surgeon and assistants.
Creates and maintains sterile field.
Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during procedure.
Passes instruments, etc. to surgeon during procedure.
May sponge operative site, hold retractors during surgery, cut suture and cauterize previously clamped vessels as directed by surgeon.
Prepares sterile dressings.
If applicable and at the direction of the surgeon, apply and secure dressings.
Assists other members of team with cleaning the operating room after each procedure.
Assists in prepping room for the next patient.
Participates in department performance improvement activities.
Maintains positive interpersonal relations with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team to promote a collaborative approach to providing efficient and high-quality patient care.
Understands age-related patient care needs and provides care appropriately.
Able to adapt to the needs of each physician’s needs, requests, and preferences and communicate this to Team Lead to update all staff and preference/case cards accordingly.
Is a mentor for new employees and new graduate surgical technologist by supporting the new employee.
Enhances partner growth through promoting attainment of national certification.
Assists partners in obtaining education required to achieve national specialty certification and maintain same.
Complete projects as assigned by Team Lead.
Assists in training of new partners or students successfully and offers constructive feedback during training process.