Surgical Technologist I - Operating Room

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

University of Iowa Health Care’s Department of Perioperative Services is seeking a Surgical Technologist to assist with surgical procedures, provide therapeutic, preventive, and emergency patient care, and prepare, operate, and maintain routine and complex equipment, instruments, and supplies. Duties are performed under the direction of a registered professional nurse. Positions may be assigned to one of six teams: Cardiothoracic, Peripheral Vascular, and Heart and Lung Transplant; Neurosurgery; Urology and Transplant; Gynecology; Otolaryngology and Oral Surgery; or General Surgery, Plastics, and Burn. The role includes preparing the surgical area, anticipating the needs of the surgical team, supporting patient care, maintaining aseptic technique, handling equipment and supplies, and carrying out delegated technical and clinical functions. The technologist also contributes to staff orientation, mentoring, education, documentation, unit meetings, and perioperative initiatives. The position is located at John Colloton Pavilion (JCP). The schedule includes rotating 8-, 10-, and 12-hour shifts, occasional weekends, additional on-call shifts, and holiday rotation. Evening and night shift differentials are available. Qualified candidates may be eligible for a sign-on incentive of up to $5,000; current University of Iowa employees are not eligible. Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants.

Requirements

Satisfactory completion of a vocational or military course in surgical technology, or certification as a surgical technologist.
Ability to perform the duties of the role under the direction of a registered professional nurse.

Nice To Haves

Direct patient care experience in an operating room.
Experience working in a health care environment.
Ability to scrub surgical procedures.
Strong written communication skills.

Responsibilities

Prepare the surgical area for patient care and anticipate the needs of the surgical team.
Apply knowledge of emergency situations and surgical procedures in the operating room.
Understand medical and surgical asepsis principles and recognize and communicate breaks in aseptic technique.
Provide proper care and handling of equipment, instruments, supplies, and implants.
Demonstrate knowledge of surgical equipment and advanced surgical instrumentation.
Perform delegated technical functions and clinical activities in accordance with institutional policies.
Assist with patient care according to the patient’s condition and age.
Collaborate with peers when making decisions related to surgical patient care.
Use critical thinking to anticipate the needs of the patient and surgeon.
Implement measures to prevent potential patient problems or complications and report unusual incidents.
Assist with documentation according to department and division standards under the direction of the registered nurse.
Perform computer functions within the scope of the role as defined by the individual unit.
Serve as a primary preceptor for orienting new staff and student technologists to scrubbing duties.
Mentor and serve as a positive role model to new employees and other surgical team members.
Practice standard precautions in infection control in accordance with institutional policy.
Follow changes in patient care protocols based on research findings.
Participate in and contribute to unit staff meetings and in-service programs.
May participate in perioperative initiatives or shared governance committees.
Perform other special projects and tasks as assigned.

Benefits

Sign-on incentive of up to $5,000 for eligible candidates; current UI employees are not eligible.
Paid vacation.
Sick leave.
Health insurance options.
Dental insurance options.
Life insurance options.
Disability insurance options.
Employer contributions to retirement plans.
Relocation assistance for qualified applicants.
Evening and night shift differentials.