Surgical Scrub Tech

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals, who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists are experts in the theory and application of the principles of asepsis and sterile technique to combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation and tools and technologies to facilitate a physician s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Required

• High school graduate or GED certificate recipient
• Completion of surgical scrub technician program
• CST Certification preferred
• Strong ethical and moral character references

Preferred

• Two years of previous operating room experience
• ASC experience
• Computer literacy
• Cooperative work attitude toward co-employees, management, patients, visitors, and physicians
• Ability to promote favorable facility image with physicians, patients, vendors, and general public
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems in a timely manner.
• Accuracy
• Attention to detail
• Timeliness
• Organizational skills
• Efficiency
• Excellent communication skills with team members
• Little supervision needed to accomplish tasks
• Physical stamina for extra working hours, (overtime) if needed
• Physical strength for equipment needs and patient-care activities (>50 lbs lifting at times using proper body mechanics)
• Visual and auditory acuity for timely responsiveness and patient-care assessment activities
• Ability to move quickly in response to patient needs
• Ability to frequently make judgments on/respond to problems
• Ability to occasionally make judgments on/respond to disasters/emergencies, actual events, or drills
• Hepatitis immunization/negative TB test (annual tine testing)

Duties

• Performs specified functions to meet the requirements of each approved procedure
• Gathers, checks and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure according to physicians preference cards
• Inspects equipment for proper working condition
• Follows principles of aseptic technique and prescribed operating/procedure room procedures
• Donning OR attire and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Performs the surgical scrub, and donning gown and gloves.
• Sets up the sterile back table and Mayo stand with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure.
• Adheres to aseptic technique when opening sterile packagesand preparing for the procedure
• Arranges instruments according to given procedure
• Performs initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator.
• Confirms that instruments work properly
• Assists the team members with gowning and gloving.
• Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.
• Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out procedure.
• Secures tubing, cords and other sterile accessories.
• Maintains availability of instruments and supplies to avoid delays
• Reports observed or suspected breaks in sterile technique and takes action according to policy

Intraoperative Duties:

• Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment and supplies for usage during the procedure.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedure.
• Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure.
• Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.
• Sponges or suctions the operative site.
• Applies electrocautery to clamps or forceps on bleeders.
• Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon.
• Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
• Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure.
• Performs additional counts as necessary.
• Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices.
• Prepares and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate.
• Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.
• Assists other members of the team with terminal cleaning of room.
• Assists in prepping the OR for the next patient.
• Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.

Additional Duties:

• The surgical technologist in the second scrub role assists the surgeon and/or surgical assistant during the operative procedure by carrying out tasks including sponging, suctioning, cutting suture, holding retractors and manipulating the endoscopic camera. This role is distinct from that of the first scrub and surgical first assistant. The surgical technologist assisting in circulating obtains additional instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary while the surgical procedure is in progress. He/she monitors conditions in the operating room and constantly assesses the needs of the patient and surgical team.
• Review the patient s chart, identifies patient, verifies surgery to be performed with consent forms, and brings the patient to the assigned operating room.
• Assists with transferring patient to the operating room table.
• Monitors the comfort of the patient and provides verbal and tactile reassurance to the patient.
• Assists in maintaining normothermia.
• Assists the anesthesia provider.
• Assists with positioning the patient, using appropriate equipment and anatomical principles to avoid patient injury.
• Applies the electrosurgical grounding pad.
• Assists with applying tourniquets and monitors before the procedure begins.
• Completes the patient skin prep prior to draping by the sterile surgical team.
• Performs instrument, sharps, and sponge counts with the surgical technologist in the first scrub role prior to the operation and before the incision is closed.
• Anticipates additional supplies needed during the procedure.
• Properly cares for specimens.
• Secures dressings after incision closure.
• Helps transport the patient to the post anesthesia care unit.
• Correctly uses, cares for, cleans, and sterilizes instruments, supplies, and equipment as directed
• Handles equipment and instruments correctly to provide appropriate availability and safety
• Assists in maintaining adequate supplies in the operating room for immediate access during procedure
• Assists in inventory, storing and stocking supplies
• Maintains and updates instrument cards and surgeons preference cards
• Responds in a timely manner to meet.