Under limited supervision, the senior surgical technologist works under the supervision of the registered nurse and medical staff to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and minimally invasive surgical procedures. This individual works to ensure that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.
- Ability to follow appropriate Infection Control policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of decontamination, packaging and sterilization of instrumentation and supplies.
- Ability to demonstrate accountability for patient care environment including the reporting of malfunctioning equipment, maintenance of instrumentation and matters of patient safety.
- Knowledge on how to perform assigned patient care tasks under the direction and supervision of a designated Registered Nurse and works under the direction of the surgeon for procedural related tasks.
- Ability to assess and anticipates needed supplies for scheduled and emergent procedures, the need for comfort and safety measures for individual patients and anticipates the needs of the surgeon to expedite the procedure by passing instruments, sponges and sutures.
- Knowledge on how to prepare the operating room according to a particular surgical procedure with the assistance of other personnel in accordance with procedures for disinfection of furniture and equipment.
- Ability to exercise proper sterile technique, opens and arranges sterile field in accordance with accepted protocol for each surgical procedure to be performed, both routine and special procedures.
- Knowledge on how to utilize equipment and supplies efficiently, charges for and assures replacement of medical & surgical supplies. Daily and periodically checks, restocks, and inventories supplies (checks, rotates dated items and reorders supplies as assigned or as needed for surgery and other procedures within their unit)
- Ability to assist in clearing the operating room for the next procedure including appropriate disposal of contaminated linen and waste, cleaning instruments when necessary and disinfecting equipment.
- Ability to participate in counts with the circulating nurse to assure that all counts are correct.
- Ability to serve as a preceptor and a mentor by fostering teaching environment. Position eligible for preceptor premium pay with completion of preceptor education and leader approval.
Education
- Technical School - Surgical Tech required
About Us
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence - advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has been recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for Company Culture.
Benefits Overview
UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.
Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.
Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.
Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.
Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.
FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.
Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:
Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.
Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.
EEO Statement
UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
- Collaborates with the Registered Nurse to continuously update the nursing plan of care and recommends interventions to meet identified patient goals.
- Evaluates and recommends updates to surgeon preference cards and notifies appropriate personnel of needed changes.
- Labels drugs on the field. Prepares labels and verifies specimens according to protocol and surgeons'' preference.
- Uses proper documentation related to sterilization procedures. Signs/verifies initials on instrument count sheet and signs preference list when pulling of case is completed.
- Precepts new staff and student populations sharing knowledge of procedures to enhance learning. Participates in peer review as requested.
- Coordinates treatments and procedures to facilitate cost effective patient care.
- Provides input for new policies, procedures, meeting minutes and memos.
- Contributes to the development and revision of standards/policies as needs are identified.
- Identifies and utilizes information from monitors and research to effect changes in practice.
- Maintains a working knowledge of emergency protocol in the event of an emergent procedure by ensuring surgical set-ups necessary to manage an emergency.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
- Collaborates with the Registered Nurse to continuously update the nursing plan of care and recommends interventions to meet identified patient goals.
- Evaluates and recommends updates to surgeon preference cards and notifies appropriate personnel of needed changes.
- Labels drugs on the field. Prepares labels and verifies specimens according to protocol and surgeons'' preference.
- Uses proper documentation related to sterilization procedures. Signs/verifies initials on instrument count sheet and signs preference list when pulling of case is completed.
- Precepts new staff and student populations sharing knowledge of procedures to enhance learning. Participates in peer review as requested.
- Coordinates treatments and procedures to facilitate cost effective patient care.
- Provides input for new policies, procedures, meeting minutes and memos.
- Contributes to the development and revision of standards/policies as needs are identified.
- Identifies and utilizes information from monitors and research to effect changes in practice.
- Maintains a working knowledge of emergency protocol in the event of an emergent procedure by ensuring surgical set-ups necessary to manage an emergency.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.