Certified Surgical Technologist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Assists in the organization and daily function of the operating room in accordance with established federal, state and accreditation standards and facility policies and procedures. Assists the nurses and physicians in delivering the highest standard of patient care available.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Technical Skills

• Capable of trouble shooting equipment problems.

• Verbalizes knowledge of risks and complications.

• Reports malfunctioning equipment to appropriate personnel.

• Demonstrates awareness of protocol for malfunctioning equipment and repair.

• Anticipates the need for equipment and supplies based on surgeon preference.

• Selects equipment and supplies in an organized, cost effective and timely manner.

• Assures all equipment is functioning before use and removes any malfunctioning equipment.

• Demonstrates skill in appropriate use of instruments and equipment.

• Operates mechanical, electrical and air-powered equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions.

• Assures emergency equipment and supplies are available at all times.

• Keeps surgical suites clean, tidy, free of soiled equipment and supplies, and properly stocked.

• Follows established policies and procedures for surgical counts.

• Initiates corrective actions when surgical counts are incorrect.

• Demonstrates ability to create and maintain a sterile field.

• Uses principles of aseptic practice in varying situations.

• Initiates corrective action when breaks in technique occur.

• Wears appropriate attire in restricted area.

• Adheres to recommended traffic patterns.

• Demonstrates knowledge in the safe care and handling of instrumentation.

• Demonstrates knowledge of sterile processing standards and practices.

• Assists with inventory management.

• Assists with OR turnover, and preparation of sterile supplies (e.g. opening, case pulling).

2. Communication

• Listens respectfully, gives feedback directly, honestly and talks with others to clarify differences.

• Utilizes translation services when needed.

• Utilizes appropriate services when needed to communicate with employees and patients with speech

and hearing disorders.

• Effectively communicates and interacts with patients, their family, and other external and internal

clients (including fellow employees) from diverse backgrounds.

3. Quality

• Demonstrates a willingness to look at new ideas and work in a changing environment.

• Understands, verbalizes and participates in the quality improvement process.

• Supports initiatives designed to improve individual and organizational performance.

• Identifies and reports suspected child, spousal/partner, and elder abuse per protocol.

4. Under supervision of RN, demonstrates ability to prepare medications for procedures.

5. Knows of routine drugs used intra-operatively, dosages and/or concentration and appropriate route of administration.

6. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Knowledge of a specialized field (however acquired), such as basic accounting, computer, etc. Equivalent of four years in high school, plus night, trade extension, or correspondence school specialized training, equal to two years of college, plus 2 years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions in person-to-person and small group situations with customers, clients, general public and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane, algebra, solid geometry and trigonometry.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of known variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram formats.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Current BLS certification required. Certification as a surgical technician or proof of equivalent training.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Not indicated.

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED

Intermediate: Database

Basic: Alphanumeric Data Entry, Contact Management, Spreadsheet, Word Processing/Typing

INITIATIVE AND INGENUITY

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under direction where a definite objective is set up and the employee plans and arranges own work, referring only unusual cases to supervisor.

PLANNING

Considerable responsibility with regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner,

and/or sequence of performance of own work; may also occasionally assist in the planning of work assignments performed by others within a limited area of operation.

               DECISION MAKING

Performs work operations which permit frequent opportunity for decision-making of minor

importance and also frequent opportunity for decision-making of major importance; the latter of which would affect the work operations of other employees and/or clientele to a moderate degree

MENTAL DEMAND

Close mental demand. Operations requiring close and continuous attention for control of operations. Operations requiring intermittent direct thinking to determine or select the most applicable way of handling situations regarding the organization's administration and operations; also to determine or select material and equipment where highly variable sequences are involved.

ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING

Moderately structured. Fairly broad activities using moderately structured procedures with only generally guided supervision. Interpolation of learned things in somewhat varied situations.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK OF OTHERS

Responsibility for work of others: Not indicated.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDS, PROPERTY and EQUIPMENT

Occasionally responsible for organization's property where carelessness, error, or misappropriation would result in moderate damage or moderate monetary loss to the organization. The total value for the above would range from $5,000 to $150,000.

ACCURACY

Probable errors would not likely be detected until they reached another department, office or patron, and would then require considerable time and effort to correct the situation. Frequently, possibility of error that would affect the organization's prestige and relationship with the public to a limited extent, but where succeeding operations or supervision would normally preclude the possibility of a serious situation arising as a result of the error or decision.

ACCOUNTABILITY

FREEDOM TO ACT

Generally controlled. General processes covered by established policies and standards with supervisory oversight.

ANNUAL MONETARY IMPACT

The amount of annual dollars generated based on the job’s essential duties / responsibilities. Examples would include direct dollar generation, departmental budget, proper handling of organization funds, expense control, savings from new techniques or reduction in manpower.

None. Job does not create any dollar monetary impact for the organization.

IMPACT ON END RESULTS

Moderate impact. Job has a definite impact on the organization's end results. Participates with others in taking action for a department and/or total organization.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Regular contacts with patrons, either within the office or in the field. May also involve occasional self initiated contacts to patrons. Lack of tact and judgment may result in a limited type of problem for the organization.

EMPLOYEE CONTACT

Contacts with other departments or offices and also frequently with individuals in middle level positions; consulting on problems which necessitate judgment and tact in presentation to obtain cooperation or approval of action to be taken. Also, important contacts with associates as required in advanced supervisory jobs.

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS

Regular use of highly complex machines and equipment; specialized or advanced software programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Periodically exposed to such elements as noise, intermittent standing, walking, occasionally pushing, carrying, or lifting; but none are present to the extent of being disagreeable.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Semi-repetitive, low physical. Semi-repetitive type work which requires periods of concentration for varied time cycles as prescribed by the tasks.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; frequently required to walk, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear; and occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; color vision; and ability to adjust focus.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Minimum Requirements:

Education/Experience/Licenses/Certificates/Eligibility: High School diploma or GED. Operating room experience required. Two (2) years of hospital main operating room experience desired. Current BLS certification required. Certification as a surgical technician or proof of equivalent training.

Eligibility: All employees must be able to provide proof of their identity and their right to work in the United States.