Surgical Technologist

Description

Under the general supervision of the Director of Surgical Services, is responsible for the delivery of safe, effective and quality patient/family centered care in Surgical Services.

Responsibilities:

Patient Advocacy:

Protects the patient's rights, dignity, and privacy

Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families

Resolves patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies

Utilize appropriate resources for non-English speaking patients, hearing and sight impaired individuals, and/or healthcare illiteracy

Takes proactive steps to recognize and report suspected abuse to your supervisor including child, geriatric, sexual, and spousal abuse

Quality:

Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments

Adheres to Infection Prevention standards, consistent in hand hygiene practice before and after each patient interaction. Holds team members to IP and hand hygiene standards

Actively participates in departmental continuous survey readiness activities, departmental collateral duties, quality reviews and performance improvement projects

Clinical Competency:

Demonstrates knowledge of various surgical procedures with the ability to anticipate the needs of the surgeon and to recognize the problems encountered by the surgeon

Identifies the name and function of surgical equipment and instrumentation

Applies knowledge of normal and pathological anatomy and physiology to individualize patient care

Demonstrates the application of the principles of asepsis and disinfection in a knowledgeable manner in the care of supplies, instruments, and the environment

Follows strict adherence to policies and regulations regarding maintenance of the sterile field

Participates in the "time out" for every patient to ensure correct side, site and level prior to procedure

Protects patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, positioning, heat and/or extraneous objects

Performs count procedure to protect patient from unintended retained foreign objects - Manages patient specimen according to hospital policy

Manages patient specimen according to hospital policy

Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure

Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices

Verify and check the surgeon's preference card for each procedure

Identifies and acts appropriately to an OR emergency situation

Cross trains to other duties as needed to promote flexibility, sustainability and teamwork within the Critical Access Hospital setting

Professionalism:

Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; and/or participating in professional societies

Demonstrates the accountability as a health care professional by recognizing each practitioner is individually responsible for his/her actions

Organizational Expectations:

Attendance: Attendance is an essential job function; employee comes to work daily, on time, and completes scheduled shift

HIPAA: facilitates to maintain patient confidentiality

Internal communication: contributes to positive team performance and a culture of service excellence through effective communication, active listening, and respect

Interpersonal relationships: maintains appropriate interpersonal relationships with staff, patients, and visitors at all times. Works as a team member with other departments.

Safety: Practices workplace safety daily

Employee Engagement:

Actively participates in all hospital Service Excellence initiatives and trainings

Attends and participates in a minimum of 50% department staff meetings and signs off on review of 100% department staff meeting minutes

Completes all required annual education on or before the due date

Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Individuals must possess these knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the primary functions of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation, using some combination of skills and abilities and possess the necessary physical requirements, with or without a reasonable accommodation, to safely perform the essential functions of the job.

Minimal physical effort required with occasional light lifting to a maximum of 25 pounds; stooping; and pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work primarily with fingers

Ability to effectively manage considerable mental stress

Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word

Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication

Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and convey information in a clear, concise and accurate manner

Familiarity with computer and other business machines

Qualifications:

Education: Graduate from an accredited surgical technology program. Certification preferred

Experience: Current clinical skills within scope of practice; effectively organize work and set priorities; Current infection control practice; Positive bedside manner; Applicable physio/social/spiritual knowledge related to patient care; practices safe work conditions; Works effectively within the healthcare team; Able to work irregular hours including call. Computer literate

License and Certification:

CST certification required within one year of hire

Currently registered with New Hampshire Board of Medical Technicians

BLS (Basic Life Support) certification