SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST II

Independence Health System•Greensburg, PA

19d

About The Position

The Surgical Technologist II provides direct and indirect patient care and functions as the scrub member of the surgical team. The role works collaboratively with registered nurses, physicians, and other healthcare providers to support individualized patient care, safe surgical procedures, and desired patient outcomes. The technologist prepares sterile setups, assists the surgeon, handles specimens, performs accurate operating-room counts, and adapts to the changing needs of the surgical team. The position also contributes to quality improvement, regulatory compliance, infection prevention, patient safety, staff mentoring, and cost control. Scheduling is based on operational needs and may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work. Local travel between system locations may be expected. Work involves direct patient care and physical activities such as standing, walking, lifting, and assisting with patient movement; lifts exceeding 50 pounds require two-person assistance and/or a transfer device.

Requirements

Successful completion of a surgical technology program.
At least two years of experience as a Surgical Technologist.
Strong leadership ability, organizational skills, independent and critical-thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a broad and diverse audience.
Act 81 compliance.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved CPR and AED curriculum; may be acquired within six months of hire or transfer into the unit.
Act 33 clearance, with renewal.
Act 34 clearance, with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance.
Ability to work a schedule based on operational needs, potentially including rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work.
Local travel between system locations may be expected.

Responsibilities

Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, protocols, and professional standards.
Work with the RN to develop and implement individualized, age-specific plans of care and evaluate their effectiveness.
Assist the RN with reassessing patient condition and take appropriate action according to unit policy.
Involve patients, families, and other healthcare providers in care when appropriate.
Complete patient-care activities within scheduled time periods and ensure accurate, complete, and timely operating-room count and surgical-site verification documentation.
Maintain collaborative relationships with physicians and other healthcare providers to support patient outcomes and continuity of care.
Communicate relevant information for interdisciplinary care conferences and shift reports; report operating-room schedule changes and alert the appropriate personnel when needed.
Participate in performance-improvement activities, assist with data collection, and recommend improvements.
Demonstrate leadership, independent problem-solving, accountability, resourcefulness, patient advocacy, and effective preceptor or mentor skills.
Assist in maintaining or reducing organizational and departmental costs.
Support compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements, including continuous survey readiness and infection-control practices.
Promote patient safety, use two forms of patient identification before providing care, and assume the appropriate role during internal or external code situations.
Function as the scrub member of the surgical team; obtain instruments and supplies from Central Service and perform central-service technician duties when necessary or assigned.
Arrange sterile setups for procedures in coordination with surgeon preferences and update physician preference cards.
Assist with patient movement, lifting, and positioning; verify the appropriate procedure and surgical site according to policy.
Assist the surgeon during procedures, handle specimens appropriately, and perform accurate operating-room counts, responding appropriately to discrepancies.
Adapt to the surgical team's changing needs and assist with cleaning and setting up surgical cases.
Follow aseptic principles, report breaches in aseptic technique, and correct them.
Perform other duties as assigned.