Reports to Manager or Director, Patient Care Services. Through the direct supervision of the professional nursing staff, assists in the care of patients undergoing surgical intervention and assists in the care, preparation, and maintenance of sterile and unsterile supplies and equipment. The Surgical Technologist acts as a primary scrub person who handles the instruments, supplies and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure; anticipates the needs of the surgeon; has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure; has an understanding of procedures being performed; is consistently on vigil for the maintenance of the sterile field; sometimes acts as an unsterile member of the surgical team, obtaining instruments, supplies and equipment while the surgical procedure is in progress.
MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS
- MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
- VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
- SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.
Surgical Support:
- Uses highest standard of sterile technique in all aspects of surgical care.
- Corrects non-aseptic conditions as they occur.
- Performs appropriate counts with circulator as directed by hospital policy.
- Anticipates the needs of the surgeon in order to expedite surgical procedure.
Acts as assistant to the surgeon during the operation when needed, under the direct supervision of that surgeon. Assists in emergency situations and uses sound judgment in instituting corrective procedures as directed by:
- Performing CPR.
- Monitoring sterility of tables and supplies during an emergency situation.
- Calling for additional help as needed.
- Taking direction from the Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, Charge Nurse and/or circulating nurse.
Maintenance of Surgical Instruments and Supplies:
- Assists with clean up at the end of a case and prepares room for next patient with supplies and equipment needed and assures that all trash and dirty instruments are removed and that floors and furniture are free of blood and debris.
- Stocks room as appropriate.
- Appropriately cares for instruments in preparation for sterilization and adheres to point of use cleaning standards.
- Sets up with supplies and equipment per physician's preference card.
- Stocks linens.
Uses initiative in order to acquire and transfer knowledge of surgical procedures and subjects relating to the operating room and to the surgical patient by:
- Preparing for unusual cases requiring unique procedures by reading appropriate preparatory literature, seeking assistance from personnel who are familiar with procedure.
- Maintaining surgical certification as established by the National Organization for Technicians.
- Reviewing daily morning report notes and team meeting minutes.
- Serving as a resource person in areas of expertise, such as, procedure, equipment and instruments to students and other staff members.
- Scrubbing in and setting up instrumentation prior to patient entering the surgery room.
- Ensuring that all necessary items are in place on sterile field, or available as listed on preference card.
Utilizes state of the art knowledge in the role of the scrub technologist and in the organization of work by the use of economy in time, motion and materials by:
- Checking case carts, sorting items, placing "Hold" items on bottom shelf.
- Helps update preference cards by turning in changes to appropriate personnel.
- Opening surgery room for procedure assuring all necessary equipment/instruments/supplies are available.
- Ensuring that necessary table parts and furniture are available for procedures.
- Anticipating needs of surgical team for instrumentation/suture, etc. during surgical procedure.
Respects and maintains the patient's right to privacy, dignity, and comfort by:
- Avoiding exposing the patient unnecessarily.
- Reporting immediately and in writing, faulty equipment/instrumentation to charge person.
- Assisting in positioning of patient (safety strap, proper alignment, etc.)
- Assists in providing and maintaining a safe, efficient environment for the surgical patient.
Follows the policies and procedures of the Surgery Department of Elkhart General Hospital by:
- Following established guidelines in all areas relating to scrub/assistant roles.
- Reporting to charge nurse when assignments cannot be completed.
- Channeling problems and/or complaints to appropriate resource person for investigation and resolution.
Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:
- Performing other job related duties as assigned.
ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:
- Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
- Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
- Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
- Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
- Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
- Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
- Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
- Complies with established organization and department policies.
- Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.
Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:
- Leverage innovation everywhere.
- Cultivate human talent.
- Embrace performance improvement.
- Build greatness through accountability.
- Use information to improve and advance.
- Communicate clearly and continuously.
Education and Experience:
The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion as a Graduate from an accredited surgical assisting program. Must maintain 15 hours of continuing education annually. Must obtain Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS/CPR) within 3 months of hire. Preferred membership in professional association. Two years experience in operating room as a surgical technologist and current certification is required. CSFA certification also required.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Knowledge of fundamentals of anatomy and physiology.
- Thorough knowledge of sterilization procedures and aseptic techniques.
- Knowledge of maintenance and care of supplies and equipment.
- Basic knowledge of surgical procedures, needs and steps in use of instrumentation, materials and supplies.
- Knowledge and skills to perform tasks related to intraoperative activation of power equipment under the direct supervision of a surgeon. Examples include: drilling, reaming and assisting with insertion of a screw or guide wire while the surgeon holds the fracture in place.
- Knowledge and skills to perform tasks related to an electro surgery unit and bowel staplers under the direct supervision of a surgeon. Examples include: activating a bovie on a clamp to stop bleeding while the surgeon holds the tissue; firing a stapler that the surgeon put in place while the surgeon holds the tissue.
- Knowledge and skills to operate a skin stapler while the physician approximates the tissue or under the direction of the surgeon for the purpose of wound approximation.
- Knowledge and skills to operate a skin stapler while the physician approximates the tissue or under the direction of the surgeon for the purpose of wound approximation.
- Knowledge and skills to assist in the proper handling and care of specimens.
- Basic knowledge of safety, departmental and hospital policies and emergency disaster procedures.
- Knowledge and skills to prepare operating rooms, perform surgical scrubs, drape patients and maintain aseptic conditions.
- Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, co-workers, visitors, physicians and allied health staff.
Preoperative:
- The surgical assistant facilitates the safe positioning of the patient according to the surgeon's preference, patient's anatomical and physiological limits and surgical procedure to be performed. A preoperative introduction visit may be done to assess the surgical site to better aid in positioning. Assists circulator and anesthesia provider in preparation of the patient to include but not limited to: Foley catheter placement, tourniquet application, placement of intravenous catheters, cricoid pressure application, and other procedures as needed.
Intraoperative:
- The surgical assistant performs specific tasks according to individual surgeon preference utilizing appropriate techniques including, but not limited to: incision and layered closure of surgical sites, providing exposure, achieving hemostasis, by means of injection, manual and topical methods and application of appropriate energy sources, manipulation and dissection/removal of tissues, aides in implanting, securing and/or removal of devices and drains and applying appropriate dressing material specific to procedure.
Postoperative:
- The surgical assistant applies any other specific dressing material such as splints or casts, assesses skin integrity, assists in transfer of the patient and follows the patient to recovery if needed or directed by surgeon.
Working Conditions:
- Works in a patient care/operating room environment requiring physical exertion, frequent changes in job demands, certain undesirable patient care activities and exposure to biohazards and anesthetic gases.
- Must be able to deal with moderate to high levels of stress due to demands of the surgical team, the critical nature of some procedures, and fast paced unit.
- May work long hours without break during busy times.
- Available to work additional shifts or call on an as needed basis.
- At risk for occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens and body fluids, exposure to trace gases, laser plume, laser burns, Methyl Methacrylate, and potential radiation exposure as well as hazard from electrical equipment.
- Must be able to report to work location within 30 minutes when On Call.
- Must commit to weekend, holiday call schedule as necessary.
Physical Demands:
Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e. to walk/stand for prolonged periods of time, push carts/wheelchairs up to 50 pounds, to position/lift patients at a maximum of 35 pounds unassisted, over 35 pounds requires assistance, provide CPR, etc.) to perform the essential functions of the position.
