Job Summary:

The Surgical Technologist will maintain a sterile field in the operating room, being constantly vigilant to see that proper aseptic techniques are used to prevent contamination and infection. The Surgical Technologist will also assist the surgical team as the sterile member who passes instruments, sutures, and sponges during surgery.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Prior to an operation, helps set up the operating room and organizes sterile table with surgical instruments and equipment, sterile linens, and sterile solutions. Checks, adjusts, and operates equipment such as sterilizers, lights, suction machines, electrosurgical units, and diagnostic equipment.
• Maintains supply of fluids such as plasma, saline, blood, and glucose for use during operation.
• Prepares patients for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites. Also transports, positions patients on a table, and covers them with sterile surgical drapes.
• Scrubs hands and arms, puts on sterile operating room attire to work in the sterile field established around the patient and to handle the sterilized instruments, equipment, and supplies used in the procedure.
• Anticipates the surgeons needs, passing instruments, and providing sterile items in an efficient manner.
• Helps prepare, care for, and dispose of specimens taken for laboratory analysis, holds retractors, cuts sutures, and applies dressings.
• Cleans and restocks the operating room.
• Adheres to Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) professional standards and attends hospital in-service training sessions. Provides age-appropriate care for all age groups.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must have a high energy level with ability to work under the stress of the operating room atmosphere and exhibit emotional maturity, stability, and flexibility.
• Ability to verify visual and audio alarms on machines.

Education and Experience:

• A post-high school program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) required and have at least one year of experience in a clinical environment. Associate's degree preferred.
• Must pass a national certification examination from the Liaison Council on Certification for Surgical Technologists within six months of hire and follow continuing education requirements to maintain certification.

Physical Requirements:

• Full range of body motion and flexibility.
• Ability to climb, reach, kneel, stoop, and bend.
• Exposure to body fluids, human tissues, contagious diseases, and sharps and unpleasant sights, odors, and materials.
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals including cleaning agents and disinfectants.
• Exposure to electrical current.