At Bristol Health, we begin each day caring today for your tomorrow. We have been an integral part of our community for the past 100 years. We are dedicated to providing the best possible care and service to our patients, residents and families. We are committed to provide compassionate, quality care at all times and to uphold our values of Communication, Accountability, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.). We are Magnet ® and received the 2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator award for our rapid adoption and implementation of healthcare solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use your expertise, compassion, and kindness to transform the patient experience. Make a difference. Make Bristol Health your choice.
Assists the registered nurse in nursing care and preparation of surgical patient by performance of routine and delegated duties, according to standards and policies of the Bristol Hospital Operating Room. Performs scrub duties and related procedures. Provides assistance in emergency procedures, as well as elective and scheduled cases, and assists in preparation, transportation and supervision of patients.
Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Provides direct care to assigned patients based on current standards of care which meet the nursing needs of the surgical patient.
• Performs within the scope and boundaries of the role.
• Ensures rights of privacy and confidentiality.
• Collaborates by sharing observations, assessments and patient needs with the RN and surgeon in a timely manner.
• Acquires appropriate equipment and supplies.
• Demonstrates ability to set and maintain a sterile field/environment.
• Demonstrates ability to function as a scrub nurse and to assist a circulating RN.
• Demonstrates ability to act as a 3rd person in a case to assist with retraction or equipment.

Ensures for safety in the care of the surgical patient.

• Together with the circulating RN identifies/verifies the patient, the procedure and the surgical site.
• Performs instrument, sponge, needle/sharp counts according to policy.
• Assembles equipment and checks for appropriate function before use on patient.
• Inspects surgical packs, instrument tray wraps for integrity of wrap before opening to ensure sterile field.
• Opens sets and checks for biological indicators.
• Participates in Q.A. monitoring activities related to surgical patients.

Provides for the care of equipment to support the surgical caseload daily.

• Demonstrates knowledge and skills in the selection and assembly of equipment for specific cases.
• Performs decontamination of equipment following procedure.
• Tags instruments which need to be replaced before sending to CSS.
• Identifies contaminated, damaged and missing items from instrumentation sets.
• Performs flash sterilization using Flashpaks.
• Checks sterilizer printout on items sterilized to ensure the temperature and length of time meet sterilization standards.
• Completes sterilization log for every item autoclaved.
• Assembles sets for autoclave as needed.
• Demonstrates correct use of washer/decontamination unit CSS/OR.

Provides for the retrieval of information through documentation on various tools:

• Signs all surgical counts on O.R. Record.
• Notes any patient charge item (equipment/supplies) on form for charge entry.
• Documents items autoclaved in Autoclave logs. (Item, Temp, Time, Date, Patient I.D.)
• Completes self evaluation on Performance Appraisal.
• Maintains ongoing education log within department.
• Makes changes to preference cards and communicates them to Booking Coordinator.

Maintains responsibility for own continued learning and development.

• Identifies strengths and weaknesses within specialties.
• Develops a plan with OR Operations Manager and OR Educator to meet learning needs and attain/maintain competency.
• Attends available workshops and seminars to enhance clinical competency.
• Attends unit specific inservices.
• Completes all mandatory hospital inservices. (CPR, Infection Control, Safety).
• Attends staff meetings and actively participates in problem solving.
• Participates in hospital committees to improve processes.
• Provides inservice to peers and other members of healthcare team.
• Establishes goals for upcoming year as part of Performance Appraisal.
• Attains/Maintains certification as a surgical tech.

Acts as a specialty resources person to nursing colleagues, student nurses and new employees.

• Organizes supplies and equipment by establishing par levels.
• Monitors inventory weekly/monthly.
• Coordinates special needs with Materials Manager and Booking Coordinator.
• Facilitates trial of new products/items after vendor inservice.
• Provides support to staff in use of new/specialty items.
• Collects evaluation forms from staff and surgeons on new products.
• Assists in precepting new and novice employees.
• Completes validation tools with preceptor and provides progress check.

Educational / Minimum RequirementsMust have successfully completed an accredited O.R. Tech program. Certified Surgical Technologist is preferred.
Must have a minimum of 1 year of experience in the field.
Must have CPR/BLS certification.
State/Federal Mandated Licensure Or Certification RequirementsNone. Certified Surgical Technologist is preferred.
Bristol Hospital Mandated Educational RequirementsGeneral orientation at time of hire. Fire/Safety/Infection Control annually. Other programs as mandated by Hospital.
Special RequirementsStrong knowledge of medical terminology and instruments.
Physical RequirementsExtended standing and walking; occasional heavy lifting, manual dexterity required.
Work EnvironmentExposed to patient and O.R. elements. Occasional stress from requirements of O.R. environment.
Cognitive RequirementsAttention to detail for sterilization purposes. Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers.
DisclaimerThe above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.