Surgical Tech

Summary

While upholding the Star Valley Health mission, vision, and values, this key position is responsible for supporting the operations of SV Health through the functions and responsibilities associated with the surgical technology practice. These are performed in collaboration with qualified and licensed professional health care providers. This is an at-will position.

Job Duties

Essential -

• Preoperative Duties are as follows:
• Establish and maintain a sterile field before and during all surgical procedures
• Performs the surgical scrub, and donning gown and gloves.
• Assists the team members with gowning and gloving.
• Gathers, checks and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure
• Sets up the sterile back table and Mayo stand with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure.
• Performs initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator
• Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.
• Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time of procedure.
• Secures tubing, cords and other sterile accessories.

• Intraoperative Duties are as follows:
• Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedure.
• Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment and supplies for usage during the procedure.
• Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure.
• Assist surgeon by holding retractors, suctioning operative site, and utilizing clamps or forceps.
• Cuts suture material, sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices as directed by the surgeon.
• Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
• Performs additional counts as necessary.
• 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 and preparing for the next patient
• Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.

• When working as Second Surgical Tech:
• 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.
• Obtains additional instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary while the surgical procedure is in progress.
• Monitors conditions in the operating room and constantly assesses the needs of the patient and surgical team.
• Assists with transferring patient to the operating room table using appropriately to avoid patient injury.
• Monitors the comfort of the patient and provides verbal and tactile reassurance to the patient.
• Assists in maintaining normothermia.
• Assists the anesthesia provider.
• 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.
• Properly cares for specimens.
• Secures dressings after incision closure.
• Updates and keeps accurate records of the surgeon’s preferences.
• Sets up, operates, and monitoring of the autologous cell-saver equipment during or after surgery. Cleans and restocks the equipment and supplies associated with.
• Performs all sterile processing duties including but not limited to: decontamination, washing, inspecting, assembling, and preparing for terminal sterilization. Operates all sterile processing equipment including but not limited to: washers, sterilizers, heat sealers, etc.
• Performs all steps in the process of decontaminating and sterilizing endoscopes.
• Assists in ensuring all equipment is functioning properly, troubleshoots as indicated, and schedules maintenance as needed.
• Assists with pulling supplies, instruments, and equipment for the next day’s cases according to the surgeon’s preference card.
• May assist in contacting reps to coordinate specialty supplies, instruments, and/or equipment needed for upcoming cases.
• Assists central supply department in stocking supplies and being mindful in preventing the wasting of supplies.
• Takes call with the stipulation that you respond and are in house within 15 minutes of being called in.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Abilities & Skills:

• Demonstrate high integrity, dependability, ability to follow directions, exhibit initiative and willingness to work and increase knowledge, ability to exercise critical thinking, observant and aware of surroundings and potential hazards and risks to self, team, or patients.
• Promotes a cooperative, compassionate, and congenial attitude while working around patients, colleagues and guests of the medical center.
• Physically able to stand for long periods of time
• Able to listen and follow verbal communication
• Attention to detail and strong multi-tasking abilities
• Embraces changes and improvements which may enhance the quality, function and appearance of the patients care and facility
• Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable disease, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions
• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients.
• Manual and finger dexterity
• Hand and eye coordination
• Working under stressful condition
• Working irregular hours including after hours
• Taking call on nights/weekends
• Ability to lift or move fifty-five (55) pounds

Experience & Education:

• Current BLS certification
• High school graduate or GED equivalent
• Prior medical training and experience
• Flexible schedule to be able to take call during the week/weekends
• CST certification through The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting OR TS-C certification through the National Center for Competency Testing is preferred.

Note: Position descriptions are intended to serve as a guideline for typical duties and requirements of a position, but are not inclusive. Additional or different responsibilities within a reasonable scope of the position description may be added or deleted any anytime at the discretion of the Board.