Surgical Services Aide, Ambulatory Surgery, Full-Time

NMC is currently recruiting a Central Sterile Tech. The position is full-time (80 hours bi-weekly), generally M-F 0830-1700 Northwestern Medical Center’s mission is to provide exceptional health care to our community. Join our high reliability team! With “people” as one of our core values, valuing our employees is a top priority for Northwestern. We care about our employees, their families, and their overall health & well-being. We are proud to offer a generous benefits package, with recognized national carriers, designed to help our people stay healthy, balance work & life responsibilities, protect your assets & plan for a secure financial future.

Hourly Range: $17.50 USD - $24.88 USD

Surgical Services Aide

JOB SUMMARY:

The Surgical Services Aide assists the nurses in performing all the major duties and responsibilities required in Surgical Services: transport of patients and equipment; cleaning units; restock units; clerical tasks and other duties as assigned.

PRE-REQUISITES:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent preferred. VT Licensed Nursing Assistance license preferred.

Experience: One year experience in medical field preferred but not mandatory

Other: Basic computer knowledge and typing skills a plus. Excellent customer satisfaction skills. Must demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. He or she must be able to assess and interpret data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide the care needed by the neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and/or geriatric patient group.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports To: Director of Surgical Services

Other Contacts: Surgeons and providers, Surgical Services Staff, Hospital Personnel, Patients, Patients Families

SCOPE:

Machinery or Equipment Used: Computer, basic office equipment, wheelchairs, patient’s beds, oxygen tank, stretchers.

Physical Demands: Lift and transport patients up to 25 lbs. Occasional exposure to malodorous situations. Pushes, moves or lifts heavy equipment up to 25 lbs. Considerable reaching, bending, stooping and kneeling.

Working Conditions: Possible exposure to blood borne pathogens; universal precautions required. Exposed to unpleasant elements (accidents, illness, injuries). Subject to stressful environment due to multiple demands.

Required Protective Equipment: Includes but not limited to face and eye protection, and non-sterile medical gloves.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Manages self and resources effectively:

• Acknowledge limits of experience and capabilities
• Identifies learning needs and seeks resources
• Utlizes equipment and supplies appropriately
• Maintain clean, orderly environment of care
• Ensures traffic control in "sensitive areas"
• Requests assistance appropriately
• Seeks out and accepts feedback

2. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of patient care skills:

• Properly identifies, transports, or ambulates patients
• Assists with lifting, transfer and positioning patients
• Answer patient call signals as needed to determine patients' needs
• Other patient care duties under the guidance of the RN or Anesthesia provider

3. Communicates with patients, team members, and management in an accurate and timely manner evidenced by:

• Talks with and listens to patients/team members
• Reports pertinent, concise information
• Complete timely documentation
• Protects confidentiality of patient/colleagues

4. Demonstrates the unit specific skills requisite for unit/patient population served:

• Ensure patient or OR room set up and readiness
• Assure patient areas/rooms are stocked
• Participate in room turnover
• Assists and participates in room set-up and clean up
• Performs phlebotomy and ECG procedures as assigned

5. Performs cleaning and waste management in patient care areas:

• Changes soiled linens, stretcher, bed, OR table, or cubicle curtains
• Clean and santizes patient rooms, operating rooms, or other patient areas
• Clean patient or surgical equipment, reporting any needed repairs or maintenance
• Collect and transport infectious or hazardous waste in closed containers or waste management unit for sterilization or disposal, in accordance with standards, and policies
• Collect soiled linen, trash and recyclables
• Disinfect semi-critical equipment using designated disinfectants

6. Facilitates smooth patient flow with coworkers within and outside department:

• Under the direction of an RN or Anesthesia provider, functions to facilitate care within multi-disciplinary team
• Properly refers concerns/issues to appropriate resources

7. Provides clerical support to staff, providers and patients as needed:

• Utilizes electronic and paper systems to provide efficient and quality service to the stakeholders
• Carry messages or documents between departments
• Performs clerical duties as needed to support staff and patients

8. Demonstrates appropriate attire and traffic pathways in all perioperative areas:

• Clean Area
• Semi-Restricted Area
• Restricted Area