Surgical Technician Certified - Surgery (PRN) - Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital - Full-time / Part-time

General Statement of Duties :

The Certified Surgical Technologist is responsible for assisting with the delivery of quality surgical care through planning and anticipating the surgeon/procedure needs and coordinating with the circulating perioperative nurse during surgical procedures. Demonstrates competency in surgical technology to include all major surgical specialty areas; includes gathering and preparing sterile supplies, equipment, preparing/maintaining the sterile field and assisting the surgeon by supplying sterile instruments/supplies to the sterile field in a safe and efficient manner. Performs routine scrub role as well specifically delegated department duties. Consistently follows current AORN and regulatory standards and established policies and procedures of the System.

Essential Job Functions :

1. Plans for and obtains the equipment and supplies needed for assigned procedures according to physicians' preference and specific patient needs.

2. Prepares equipment and supplies according to manufacturer's recommendations and specifications for uses during surgical procedures. Opens sterile packs, instruments and supplies for each procedure according to established aseptic techniques and protocols.

3. Monitors sterile field during procedure and takes appropriate measures to insure integrity of sterile field and maintenance of sterile techniques. Initiates corrective action for any break in technique.

4. Prepares medications and solutions for use during procedures under the direction of the Registered Nurse, according to physician’s orders.

5. Maintains accountability for instruments, sponges and sharps, according to hospital policy throughout the surgical procedure to ensure that no foreign objects are retained in the surgical wound. Takes appropriate action if item count is not correct and informs the appropriate staff.

6. Consistently follows safety procedures and protocols for Timeout and when handling sharp instruments, powered equipment, hazardous chemicals and lasers.

Minimum Education, Experience, Training, Required Knowledge, Skill, Abilities and Other Job-Related Characteristics:

1. Education: One of the following:

1. High School graduate or GED equivalent required.

2. ONE of the following:

A. Graduate of an surgical technologist program OR

B. 1 year experience in a hospital setting as a surgical technologist prior to

9/1/2009.

2. Experience: None required (unless used in lieu of education as stated above)

3. Employee completes initial and ongoing training and competencies as defined by service

line, facility and department/unit which are specific to the needs of the patient population

served (if applicable).

4. Minimum License, Certificates, or Registrations Required :

CERTIFIED : Must have and maintain ONE of the following:

CST – Certified Surgical Technologist through the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) (formally the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist ) OR

TS-C - Tech in Surgery, Certified through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

Reporting Relationships:

Supervised By: Unit Director or designee and Circulating RN

Supervision Of: none

Physical Requirements

Environmental and Physical Demands/Hazardous Conditions:

WORKING CONDITIONS

(X) INSIDE: Spends approximately 40__ hours or more per week inside.

( ) OUTSIDE: Spend approximately __ hours per week outside (driving/running work related errands).

( ) BOTH: The activities occur inside and outside in approximately equal amounts.

WORK POSITIONS: (defined in 5% increments of work time):

Sitting 10 % Standing 75 % Walking 15 % = 100%

LIFTING/CARRYING DEMANDS: Ability to lift, push and pull with assistance (mechanical or co-worker) the weight of an average patient/heaviest object specific to the department.

( ) SEDENTARY WORK: Lifting 10 lbs. maximum and occasional lifting and/or carrying articles.

( ) LIGHT WORK: Lifting 20 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying articles weighing up to 10 lbs.

( X ) MEDIUM WORK: Lifting 50 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

( ) HEAVY WORK: Lifting 100 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

( ) VERY HEAVY WORK: Lifting objects in excess of 100 lbs. with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing more than 50 lbs.