Surgical Technologist - Operating Room
About The Position
The Surgical Technologist works under the supervision of leadership and functions as a member of the surgical team. They are responsible for passing instruments to the surgeon, assisting the surgeon, and holding retractors during surgical procedures. This role involves maintaining principles of asepsis and infection control, preparing the operating room, and maintaining knowledge of surgical instrumentation and equipment. The technologist also completes required counts, anticipates the surgeon's needs using physician preference cards, researches surgical procedures, handles surgical specimens, and prepares the operating room for subsequent procedures. Additionally, they assist with patient positioning, prepping, draping, and transfers, apply surgical dressings, and engage in continuing education. The role also includes contributing to the professional development of peers and orientees, and taking mandatory stand-by call to ensure 24/7 OR capabilities (not required for Albany). Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- H.S. Diploma - Required
- Six months operating room procedural experience - Required
- Applicable OR clinical rotation experience - Required
- Basic Life Support (BLS) - Required Upon Hire
- Must be able to travel between various system facilities and off-site locations as needed - Required
- Speaking clearly
- Communicate with Doctor, circulating nurse and schedule coordinator
- Calibrate equipment
- Surgical instrumentation, precise hand/eye coordination
- Passing instrument to physician, assemble surgical instrumentation
- Manipulate small items and equipment
- Surgical instrumentation and supplies
- Fine motor skills
- Thread needles, handling micro instrumentation, able to work under operating microscope
- Ability to work and communicate in a team setting with doctors, nurses, patients, and other technologists
- Positive attitude and outgoing personality
- Moving, patients, carts, instruments on sterile field, equipment, supplies, etc.
- Assembling, instrumentation, sterile supplies, etc.
- Standing, for operative procedure for long periods of time, (up to six hours uninterrupted)
- Operating, instrumentation and equipment on sterile field
- Walking, filling case carts, opening cases, transporting patients, transporting supplies, etc.
- Pushing, pulling, case carts, equipment, tables, holding retractors for long periods of time (up to six hours uninterrupted), patient carts
- Lifting, extremities (30 pounds), patients (100 pounds), instrument sets (40 pounds)
- Climbing, standing on stools for table height during surgeries
- Reaching, holding retractors, taking equipment and supplies from shelves
- Restraining, patients immediately post op if needed
- Ability to take call. Emergency/Urgent cases after hours for extended periods of time.
- Manipulate numbers
- Sponge, needle, instrument counts
- Interpret data from physician preference card
- Comprehend/understand, surgical procedures, instrumentation, anatomy, physiology, sequence of events
- Assess/Evaluate, patient and surgeon needs (anticipate)
- Short and long term memory
- Sequence events, set ups, draping, instrumentation, position preference, supplies used in cases, etc.
- Concentration/alertness, patient and physician needs for extended periods of time (up to six hours)
- Adaptability, able to go from case to case, service to service in short periods of time
- Follow rules/instructions, policies/procedures of department with minimal supervision
- Organizational skills, instrumentation and supplies to pass on surgical procedures
- Visual skills, able to see and distinguish instrumentation, sutures, needles, supplies on a sterile field
- Hearing surgeon, circulating nurse, and schedule coordinator while wearing masks
- Feel instrument, sutures, needles, etc.
- Distinguish colors, color coded instruments and supplies
- Exposure to Hazards Blood and body fluids, chemical compounds used in surgery, drugs, radiation, cleaning solutions, anesthesia waste gasses, wet floors, needle sticks, cuts from knife blades, exposure to Methyl methacrylate, Laser Plume.
Nice To Haves
- Completion of an approved surgical technologist education program - Preferred
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) - Preferred Upon Hire
Responsibilities
- Setting up and passing instruments
- Labeling medications
- Holding retractors
- Assisting the surgeon
- Assisting with circulating duties as necessary
- Applying and maintaining principles of asepsis and infection control
- Preparing the operating room for procedure
- Obtaining needed equipment and supplies
- Maintaining working knowledge of assembly and function of surgical instrumentation and equipment
- Completing required sponge, needle and instrument counts following policy/procedure
- Anticipating the needs of equipment and instruments by the surgeon during an operation utilizing physician preference cards
- Researching information of surgical procedure as needed
- Handling and caring for surgical specimens according to policy/procedure
- Preparing the operating room for the next procedure by utilizing proper cleaning techniques and returning equipment to designated area
- Assisting with positioning, prepping, draping of the patient, and with transfer of the patient to and from the operating room
- Applying surgical dressings
- Practicing within limitations of preparation and experience
- Maintaining continuing education relative to practice
- Contributing to the professional development of peers, colleagues, and others
- Taking mandatory stand-by call to ensure 24/7 capabilities of OR
- Other duties as assigned
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
