CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECH

Position: Certified Surgical Tech

Department: Surgery

Reports To: Director- Surgery

Direct Reports: None

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The Certified Surgical Tech (CST) is responsible for handling the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary to assist the surgeon during operative and invasive procedures. Ensures operating suite is adequately prepared for procedure. Monitors PAR level of all surgical instruments and supplies. Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedures ensuring quality patient care. The CST is also responsible for decontamination, cleaning, processing, and sterilization of supplies and equipment dispensed by the department following established infection control practices as appropriate. Must be conscientious with regard to procedures and capable of working under pressure and interacting professionally with other departments within the hospital.

General Duties, Tasks and Responsibilities

• Performs accurate assessment of surgery patients in regards to special needs during the surgical procedure; maintains knowledge of special instrumentation and positioning equipment needed.
• Assists the RN with prioritizing care of each patient and overall patient load; assists the RN with the care of patients in the immediate post-operative care unit.
• Informs RN/Surgeon if patient has any complaints during the surgical procedure.
• Prepares and prints OR schedule and pulls cases for the next day; reviews policies and procedures and assists the RN with updating or creating new preference cards.
• Prepares and properly labels medications being used on the back table during surgical procedures; informs surgeon of syringe contents before providing the syringe to the surgeon.
• Accurately assist in the circulator role and maintains a safe operating room environment; scrubs for all types of procedures and maintains knowledge of instruments, sutures and equipment needed; effectively functions in the assistant role.
• Checks OR/PACU equipment, including monitors, crash cart, sterilizers and warming units as assigned and per protocol; prepares instruments for sterilization and accurately operates all sterilizing units within the department; maintains knowledge and implements OR fire safety policy if required;
• Accurately pulls and sets up for surgical procedures and alerts others of special needs not available at the time of pulling; operates all equipment in the OR needed for surgical procedures such as ESU units, Lights, Tables, monitors, warming devices, and other instruments required.
• Functions in the central sterilizing department and properly cleanses, wraps and sterilizes all instruments to meet the surgical needs of the department.
• Performs all aspects of the position in an environment that optimizes safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors; utilizes established hand-off communication protocols.
• Sterile Processing Competency
• Performs a biological test on all sterilizing units with each load in the CS and immediate use sterilizer and daily in the Steris units.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of sterilization; informs NCM if a biological test result is not compliant; pulls all sterilized instruments involved in the load in question.
• Maintains accurate and up to date instrument set sheets for all departments; assists nursing staff to accurately log specimens in the Specimen Log book in the lab; prepares end of month reports for Central Sterilizing.
• Cleans and inspects instruments completely and appropriately prior to preparing for sterilization; prepares instrument sets and individual instruments for all areas of the hospital; correctly operates all sterilizing units in the Surgical Services Department; delivers clean and sterilized instruments/equipment back to appropriate departments.
• Checks sterilizing equipment to ensure proper functioning; prepares instruments for sterilization; maintains knowledge and implement OR fire safety policy if required.
• Performs all aspects of the position in an environment that optimizes safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors; utilizes established hand-off communication protocols.
• Restocks, labels, and maintains inventory, submits requisitions, collects and distributes instruments, trays, crash carts, and facility medical equipment.
• Complies with all established safety procedures to ensure a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.
• Participates in performance improvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Call Requirements

Rotation in call schedule with ability to be on-call within 30 minutes.

Education Requirements

Certification Required

Certification/Licensure Requirements

Current Certified Surgical Tech Required

Experience Requirements

Surgical Tech minimum 1 year Preferred

Computer Skills

Strong computer skills with the ability to navigate EMR programs

Additional Skills

Ability to work independently, prioritize and complete tasks in a timely manner

Excellent communication and customer service skills