Organization Overview, Mission, Vision, and Values
Our mission is to improve the health of people in the communities we serve through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention, and wellness education. Washington Regional Medical System is a community-owned, locally governed, non-profit health care system located in Northwest Arkansas in the heart of Fayetteville, which is consistently ranked among the Best Places to live in the country. Our 425-bed medical center has been named the #1 hospital in Arkansas for five consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. We employ 3,200+ team members and serve the region with over 40 clinic locations, the region’s only Level II trauma center, and five Centers of Excellence - the Washington Regional J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute; Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute; Washington Regional Women and Infants Center; Washington Regional Total Joint Center; and Washington Regional Pat Walker Center for Seniors.
Position Summary
The Certified Surgical Technologist reports to the Assistant Director, Surgery, GI, and CVOR and functions as an integral member of the operating room team within a hospital Level II Trauma Center. Under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse, this position supports safe, efficient, and high-quality surgical care by preparing and maintaining the sterile field, anticipating the needs of the surgeon and procedural team, and ensuring appropriate instrumentation, supplies, and equipment are available throughout surgical procedures. This role requires strong knowledge of sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, operating room workflow, and trauma-informed perioperative practices.
Essential Position Responsibilities
- Prepare, organize, and maintain the sterile field for surgical procedures in accordance with established standards, departmental policies, and aseptic technique.
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Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and surgical team by ensuring appropriate instrumentation, sutures, supplies, equipment, and implants are available and functioning throughout the procedure.
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Maintain strict aseptic technique and actively prevent contamination of the sterile field, including immediate recognition and correction of breaks in technique.
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Participate in sponge, sharps, and instrument counts in accordance with departmental policy, regulatory requirements, and patient safety standards.
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Maintain continuous awareness of patient safety, surgical flow, and procedural priorities in a high-acuity operating room and Level II Trauma Center environment.
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Demonstrate knowledge of surgical instrumentation, equipment, sterile supplies, and specialty trays, including the ability to identify needs, troubleshoot issues, and communicate promptly with the circulating nurse and surgical team.
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Receive and transfer medications, solutions, and other prescriptive items onto the sterile field from a licensed nurse to the surgeon under the direction of the surgeon and/or circulating RN.
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Handle, label, and prepare specimens for pathology in accordance with departmental procedures and regulatory standards.
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Protect patients, team members, and the environment by following infection prevention practices, universal precautions, radiation safety guidelines, and applicable perioperative safety protocols.
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Perform other duties as assigned to support the safe and efficient operation of the operating room.
Qualifications
- Education: Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program required.
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Licensure and Certifications: Certified Surgical Technologist certification required. CPR/BLS required within 90 days of hire or transfer.
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Experience: Knowledge of sterile technique and surgical instrumentation required. Prior operating room experience in an acute care hospital setting preferred. Experience supporting high-acuity surgical procedures and/or trauma cases in a Level II Trauma Center or comparable hospital environment preferred.
Work Environment: This position works primarily in an operating room within an acute care hospital Level II Trauma Center and requires prolonged standing, walking short distances, frequent positioning, and the ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 100 lbs. The role involves exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, radiation, surgical smoke, sharp instruments, high-acuity clinical situations, and emergency surgical procedures. This position requires the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, sterile, team-based environment while serving a culturally and linguistically diverse patient population.
Notice: This job description is designed to provide an overview of the essential and principal duties and responsibilities of the position. The job description is not designed or intended to cover or set forth a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Washington Regional reserves the right in its absolute discretion to change duties, responsibilities or activities or assign new duties, responsibilities, or activities at any time with or without notice. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
