Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, diversity, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position assists the surgical team by acting as the primary scrub person who handles the instruments, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures. The incumbent maintains constant vigilance for the maintenance of the sterile field and assists with maintaining equipment and instruments as well as with supply inventory. This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to state law

Responsibilities

• Checks supplies/instrumentation and equipment needed for surgical procedures and ensures they are working properly.
• Opens sterile supplies and sets up the table for each surgical procedure.
• Provides a sterile field for surgical procedures. Ensures that the members of the surgical team are properly attired and assists the surgeon with draping the patient to isolate the operative site.
• Assists in the maintenance of the sterile field by applying principles of aseptic techniques and informing the surgeon/surgical team of infractions.
• Anticipates and passes instruments and supplies to the surgeon.
• Responsible to follow the perioperative count policy which includes counting: sharps, instruments, sponges, etc. in collaboration with the circulating nurse.
• Responsible for knowing what counted items are used at the sterile field.
• Cleans, wraps and prepares the instruments for sterilization.
• Assists in the maintenance of specialty surgical services.
• Prepares the sterile dressing for the patient's incision.
• Orients medical/nursing students and technicians to the unit.
• Assists in the development of unit goals/objectives, quality improvement and cost containment measures.
• Arranges for borrowing/lending of equipment as directed.
• May assist in the scheduling of surgical procedures.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.

• Knowledge of medical terminology, physiology and anatomy.

• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.

• Ability to provide care appropriate to the population served.

• This position has the authority to identify to operating room staff when there is a break in the sterile field and to take appropriate corrective measures. This requires good interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy.

• Representative challenges for the incumbent include maintaining a fast/rapid pace as well as working for multiple surgeons and anticipating their individual needs and preferences.

• Ability to ensure the proper care, maintenance and coordination of surgical instruments and supplies.

• The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

• The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

• One of the following
• Current certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) through NBSTSA.
• Current certification as a Certified Technologist in Surgery (TS-C) through NCCT

• Successful completion of an accredited surgical technologist program or completion of a formal military training program as a surgical technologist.
• Equivalent of two years of full time experience as a surgical technologist
• Demonstrated competency to perform essential functions of surgical technologist position for at least two specialties or three subspecialties (competency will be demonstrated within first 6 months utilizing surgical technologist skill packet).

Qualifications (Preferred)

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds any may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects. The incumbent may face exposure to potentially dangerous contaminated body fluids, new and used needles, razor blades, knives, bone shavings, pieces of glass, and other contaminants as part of the daily hazards of the job and must wear protective attire at all times. The position also requires standing or walking for long periods of time.

Physical Requirements