Surgical Technologist- Operating Room

Mercyhealth•Harvard, IL

About The Position

The Surgical Technologist works under the direction of a surgeon to facilitate safe and effective invasive surgical procedures. The role helps ensure the operating room is safe, equipment functions properly, and the sterile field is maintained. The technologist supports the surgical team before, during, and after procedures, provides appropriate care based on patients’ age-related needs, and adapts to physicians’ preferences and requests. The position also contributes to training and mentoring new employees and students, supports national certification and professional development, and completes projects assigned by the Team Lead. The schedule is 20 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with rotating days off each week and no weekends or holidays. Shifts are flexible, eight hours long, and scheduled between 5:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The role may directly supervise or mentor up to one surgical technician student when acting as a preceptor.

Requirements

Graduate of a CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program.
Certified Surgical Technologist through NBSTSA.
Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 days.
High school diploma or GED preferred.
At the Rockford campus, an LPN grandfathered under the stated provision may substitute for the Surgical Technology program and NBSTSA certification requirements.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

Check instruments, supplies, and equipment needed for surgical procedures.
Scrub, gown, and glove, and set up the sterile table with the instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications or solutions needed for each procedure.
Assist with patient placement and positioning on the operating table.
Assist with draping the sterile field according to the procedure and physician preference.
Perform counts of sponges, needles, and instruments with the circulator according to policy before the operation and before incision closure.
Gown and glove the surgeon and assistants.
Create and maintain the sterile field and uphold sterile technique throughout the procedure.
Pass instruments and other items to the surgeon during procedures.
As directed by the surgeon, sponge the operative site, hold retractors, cut suture, and cauterize previously clamped vessels.
Prepare sterile dressings and, when applicable and directed by the surgeon, apply and secure them.
Help clean the operating room after procedures and prepare it for the next patient.
Participate in department performance-improvement activities.
Maintain positive working relationships with physicians, nurses, and other health care team members to support collaborative, efficient, high-quality patient care.
Provide care appropriate to age-related patient needs.
Adapt to each physician’s needs, requests, and preferences, and communicate these to the Team Lead so staff and preference or case cards can be updated.
Mentor and support new employees and newly graduated surgical technologists.
Promote attainment of national certification and assist partners with education needed to earn and maintain specialty certification.
Complete projects assigned by the Team Lead.
Train new partners or students and provide constructive feedback.
When serving as a preceptor, support student learning by sharing knowledge and providing options, ideas, meaningful feedback, information, and instruction; help students identify problems and think through solutions.
May directly supervise or mentor up to one surgical technician student in accordance with hospital and school policies and applicable laws.