Surgical Technologist

UPMC•Hanover, PA

About The Position

Perform a variety of tasks in an operating room to assist the surgical team. Duties include arranging sterile setups for surgical procedures; passing instruments, sponges, and sutures to surgeons and surgical assistants; preparing sterile supplies; assisting with operating room cleanup; checking equipment placement and operation; and checking and restocking the operating room. During procedures, the role may involve responsibility for special trays and graft materials and recording patient data. The schedule consists of two 10-hour day shifts (7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and two 8-hour day shifts (7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Potential call rotation may include weekdays, weekends, evenings, and holidays. Eligible candidates may receive a sign-on bonus of up to $25,000 based on years of experience. Applicants will be placed in appropriate job titles based on experience and education. Pennsylvania law and the stated certification requirements apply. Candidates must meet an applicable education, training, employment-history, or certification pathway under Pennsylvania House Bill 81. Certified individuals must meet their credentialing organization’s continuing education requirements; individuals who are not certified must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. New graduates of an appropriately accredited program may work for six months before certification but must become certified within six months of program completion. The posting also describes New York State requirements for employing surgical technologists who do not meet the usual qualifications. Required clearances and credentials include CPR or BLS, surgical technologist certification where applicable, and the listed Pennsylvania clearances and renewals.

Requirements

Meet an applicable Pennsylvania House Bill 81 qualification pathway: completion of a program sponsored by nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation; appropriate military training; certification from an accredited program; or qualifying employment as a surgical technologist on or before December 27, 2020, or at another healthcare facility during the two years before that date.
Maintain surgical technologist certification where required. Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Tech in Surgery-Certified (TSC) certification is required within six months of program completion, subject to the stated exceptions.
Complete continuing education required by the credentialing organization if certified; individuals who are not certified must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years.
CPR meeting AHA standards, including didactic and skills-demonstration components, is required within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting, with renewal; Act 33, with renewal; Act 34, with renewal; and Act 73 FBI Clearance, with renewal.
Entry-level position with 0–2 years of experience.

Responsibilities

Ensure medications are labeled and handed to the surgeon according to established policies and procedures.
Prepare the operating room before operations by setting up surgical instruments, equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions; assemble sterile and non-sterile equipment; and check and adjust equipment to ensure proper operation.
Pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgeon assistants during surgery.
Hold retractors or instruments, cut sutures, sponge or suction the operative site under surgeon supervision, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
Assist with preparation, care, and disposal of specimens for laboratory analysis and help apply dressings.
Assist the surgical team with putting on sterile gowns and gloves.
After surgery, potentially help transfer patients to the recovery room, and clean and restock the operating room.
Prepare patients for surgery by washing and shaving them and ensuring aseptic incision sites; potentially transport patients to the operating room, help position them on the operating table, and cover them with sterile surgical drapes.
Maintain a clean, safe environment by remaining alert to safety and explosive hazards and following aseptic technique.
Potentially manage special trays and graft materials and record patient data during surgical procedures.