Description

The Operating Room/Surgical Technician will assist surgeons and other medical professionals in the operating rooms and similar environments. They will prepare patients, rooms, and equipment for pending surgical procedures and assist during those procedures as part of a team of operating room professionals.

Essential Functions

• Don operating room (OR) attire and personal protective equipment
• Prepare the OR
• Gather necessary equipment and supplies
• Know and understand sterile technique and fields
• Adhere to the principles of asepsis and the practice of sterile technique
• Organize the sterile field for use
• Count necessary items
• Assist team members during entry of the sterile field
• Expose the operative site with sterile drapes
• Maintain the sterile field
• Pass instrumentation, equipment, and supplies to the surgeon and surgical assistant as needed
• Assess and predict (anticipate) the needs of the patient and surgeon and provide the necessary items in order of need
• Medication preparation and handling
• Specimen care
• Dressing application
• Maintenance of the sterile field until the patient is transported
• Removal of used instruments, equipment, and supplies following use
• Preparation of the OR for the next patient
• Assist with terminal clean
• Assist with keeping radiology log and temperature log
• Cleaning of lead apron and shields
• Ensure radiology badges are worn by OR staff
• May also be asked to assist with Medical Assistant duties including but not limited to:
  • Performs general nursing care to patients by following established standards and procedures
  • Interviews patients, measures vital signs, and records information on patients' charts
  • May be required to draw and collect blood samples from patients and prepare specimens for laboratory analysis
  • Prepares examination rooms and maintains daily cleaning list
  • Schedules patients for diagnostic testing and follows up to ensure completion of testing
  • Communicates with patient regarding test results and plan of care by phone or mail as directed by physician
  • Formulates and documents patient care plans, charts, tests, and examination results in the medical record
  • Prepares patients for diagnostic procedures, explains process, and positions patients to capture images requested by physician
  • Escalates non-routine issues to the practice manager or physician
  • Performs other duties as assigned by practice manager or physician
  • Good attendance is expected of all employees as a normal condition of work
  • Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

Competencies

• Strong customer service skills
• Must be conscientious, organized, and able to handle the stress of a busy operating room environment
• Must have the ability to respond quickly and must be familiar with operating procedures in order to have instruments ready for surgeons without instruction
• Ability to perform EKGs, draw blood, and administer injections
• Ability to effectively communicate to staff and patients
• Demonstrate sound judgment and composure with the ability to take appropriate action in questionable or emergency situations
• Maintains a positive and caring attitude towards patients
• Good computer skills using a medical management application
• Possess a strong work ethic and a high level of professionalism

Infection Control Category
This job is designated as a Category I job using OSHA definition. This means there are tasks that involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Use of appropriate protective measures is required for any employee engaged in category I tasks.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

HIPAA Privacy and Confidentiality Requirements
The Operating Room/Surgical Technician will have access to confidential information, both written and oral, in the course of his/her employment and job responsibilities. In order to maintain the integrity of Protected Health Information (PHI), this information is not to be disclosed to any unauthorized individuals as outlined in the Policies and Procedures of HRMD.

Work Environment
This job operates in a professional medical operating room environment following the standards of the AORN (Associated of Operating Room Nurses).

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job and include (but are not limited to): the ability to stand/walk for up to twelve (12) hours per day; bend, stoop, twist; assist patients in turning, rising from recliners and stretchers; assist patients in and out of wheelchairs; push wheelchairs; assist with the moving of patients on and off the operating room table; the ability to lift up to 25 pounds and carry materials weighting up to 25 pounds.

Travel
This position may require some travel.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Certification of Surgical Technologist or other preferred but no required
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Current BLS required