Surgical Technologist I - Labor and Delivery

UNC Health•Smithfield, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Technologist I works under the supervision of a surgeon and registered nurse to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. The role helps ensure the operating room is safe, equipment functions properly, and procedures are conducted in conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists apply sterile and aseptic technique alongside knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and related tools and technologies to support invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. The position requires baseline knowledge and ability to perform surgical scrub duties at the entity served. The role is part of UNC Health Johnston’s Labor & Delivery Unit, a Level II center providing care for normal and high-risk laboring and antepartum patients. The unit supports approximately 2,000 births annually and sees more than 1,000 patients in triage. It has 13 labor and delivery rooms, 4 triage rooms, and 2 operating rooms across the Smithfield and Clayton campuses, with 24/7 anesthesia coverage.

Requirements

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification.
Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology or Nursing Program, or a Military Training Program in Surgical Technology; formal education or training may be substituted for individuals with 3 or more years of prior experience as a surgical technologist.
0–3 years of professional experience.
Successful completion of the service-specific portion of UNC Health Surgical Technologist competencies.
Strong communication and customer service skills.
Excellent organizational and priority-setting skills.

Responsibilities

Performs technical duties in all operating room specialty service areas according to accepted standards and practices.
Maintains, assembles, handles, and sterilizes specialty instruments properly.
Follows aseptic technique, identifies contamination or breaks in technique, and takes corrective action.
Performs surgical counts, follows procedures for incorrect counts, and reports discrepancies.
Labels drugs and solutions and monitors quantities used.
Assists with identification, preparation, handling, and labeling of surgical specimens.
Participates in planning and organizing instruments, supplies, and surgical drapes for accessibility during procedures.
Assists the surgeon with an understanding of patient anatomy and abnormalities affecting the procedure.
Assists with case picking and planning instrument needs.
Adapts scrubbing procedures based on relevant information, communicates modifications to the surgical team, and responds to emergencies under hospital emergency management plans.
Inventories, receives, and stores supplies under the direction of Surgical Services leadership.
Identifies and reports defective instruments, supplies, and equipment; assists with restocking operating and procedure rooms and sub-sterile areas.
Assists the registered nurse during the intraoperative implementation phase of nursing practice.
Operates and troubleshoots complex operating-room equipment and other resources.
Mentors Surgical Technician Trainees and serves as a preceptor as needed.