The Specialist- Surgical Tech s responsible for the management of the technical arena of the perioperative service line for patients, physicians, and other identified customers. The Specialist makes recommendations for supply and technical policies and procedures, performance improvements, and coordinates and procures supplies and equipment for the cases. The Specialist facilitates patient flow through the surgery department and to provide support, guidance, and education within the surgical environment as it relates to appropriate instrumentation, maintenance of a sterile field, and safe practices that influence patient outcomes.

The Specialist must be a good communicator, as the position requires interacting with surgeons, vendors, representatives, employees, and administration. This person must have the ability to work both with a team and independently, have excellent organizational skills, and the ability to scrub the assigned speciality proficiently. This person must be able to multitask, prioritize work, and be able to balance a high-stress and high-demand work environment while maintaining professionalism. The Specialist is responsible working in conjunction with the Surgeons, Patient Care Coordinators, Speciality Coordinators, and Educator to efficiently expedite the daily surgery schedule. This position reports to the Speciality Coordinators, Patient Care Manager of Surgery, and the Director of Surgical Services.

Performance Expectations:

Items considered essential functions of the job are listed below.

• Ability to effectively communicate professionally with patients, physicians, and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
• Demonstrates independence and exercises sound judgment in interactions with physicians and the interprofessional care team.
• Collaborates with all members of the OR team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information in a comprehensive manner.
• Acknowledges and responds to overhead pages in a timely manner.
• Attends any staff meetings or educational events assigned.
• Facilitates flow of the Surgery Schedule to improve First Case On Time Starts & Turnover times.
• Identifies surgical technician educational needs through observation and audits as it relates to infection control practices at the sterile field, efficiency in case preparations, and overall knowledge of instrumentation.
• Conduct quality audits to insure appropriate infection control and compliance safe guards are followed to drive expected patient outcomes.
• Acts as the OR Liaison to Central Sterile Processing to actively address OR frictions as it relates to instrument and supply issues.
• Collaborates with supervisors and staff to provide guidance in instrument needs and resource management.
• Provides periodic tray reviews with surgeons, supervisors, and staff to streamline/minimize tray contents.
• Maintains preference cards to provide accurate case preparation and appropriate resources needed during surgical procedures.
• Requires periodic reviews with surgeons in order to drive case accuracy, decrease the cost associated with waste, and increase efficiency within the surgical environment.
• Demonstrates knowledge and practice of basic patient care concepts: Performs and/or provides scrub assistance during procedures that reflect an awareness of anatomy, necessary principles, skills, supplies, and adequate knowledge base.
• Assists the circulating nurse in implementing the perioperative plan of care to include: patient positioning, confirmation/preparation of the operative site, updating physician preference card, care of operative specimens and room turnover. Demonstrates the application of the principles of asepsis:
• Adheres to unit specific standards, policies and procedures for aseptic technique.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform the role of first scrub on all basic surgical cases: Anticipates the needs of the surgeon, which includes passing instruments, sutures and other items appropriate to the procedure. Establishes and maintains an organized sterile field.

• Demonstrates basic surgical case preparation skills: Assists with pulling cases and checks case cart for completeness, obtains supplies and equipment, and determines them to be in good working order before a case begins. Prepares the operating room by opening sterile supplies, instruments, and sutures based on the scheduled procedure and surgeon preference card. Follows policies for scrubbing, gowning, gloving, setting up the back table, draping, and counting with the circulating nurse
• Maintains and updates preference cards related to designated specialty service
• Establishes par levels and maintains ancillary supplies related to designated surgical specialty
• Provides Surgical Tech lunch relief daily
• Supports new surgeons within the assigned service line
• Coordinates routine preventative maintenance and ensures the functionality of all designated surgical specialty equipment
• Utilizes equipment properly, according to manufacturer's recommendation and adhering to OR protocols
• Ensures OR is stocked and ready for each case
• Communicates with surgeons in an efficient and effective manner providing excellent customer service
• Serve on the OR VAT, and surgical specialty committees as assigned
• Works with new surgeons to develop equipment and instrumentation needs
• Responsible for the coordination, management, and leadership of the surgical support techs through the direct observation and scheduling of employees at work
• Demonstrates good knowledge of surgical equipment and supplies
• Delegate tasks to support techs as deemed necessary.
• Works closely with the Surgical Services educator to develop orientation plan and continuing education for Surgical Techs and Support Techs
• Acts as a mentor for new hires
• Demonstrates the ability to check expiration dates and communicate with vendors to help keep supplies from expiring.
• Assists with the maintenance of the OR peel pack rack.
• Delivers special need items to the OR suite as needed
• Maintains personal Health Stream assignments
• Consults with the Manager of Surgery and /or the Director of Surgical Services as needed when issues related to discipline occur
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain equipment function in the department.
• Assist with equipment predictions for capital budget process for the department, including obtaining quotes.
• Supports and participates in supply shrink reduction programs
• Performs user/operator maintenance of equipment in accordance with manufacturer and biomedical services directives.
• Reports equipment outages and serviceability issues to designated personnel.
• Serves as a point of contact for Surgical Tech orientees and Support Tech orientees
• Work closely with the Manager of Central Sterile, Specialty Coordinators, Patient Care Coordinators, and Surgical Services Educator.
• Promotes a culture of honesty and integrity; maintains confidentiality.
• Willingness to learn a new task and manage up new task and new employees.
• Proactively seeks opportunities to enhance knowledge and learning towards expertise.
• Maintains all HealthStream assignments prior to the deadline.
• Provides feedback to Surgery Patient Care Manager and Director of Surgical Services regarding patient care, budgetary, and strategic planning opportunities for improvement.
• Sets a positive example to all staff in daily activities.
• Behaviors and interactions demonstrate a positive attitude, personal initiative and motivation to achieve the goals of the department.
• Champions the development and growth of safety culture.
• Demonstrates organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills.
• Participates in all competencies planned for the job role prior to deadlines.
• Complies with the Surgical Services Policy, FGH Policies, and Employee Handbook.
• The spreading of rumors and gossip creates unnecessary turmoil, weakens working relationships, and is contrary to the spirit of the hospital, and is prohibited.
• Uses "We Care" philosophy daily and communicates using Heart-Head-Heart Communication. Works assigned shift and responds when called upon for additional or emergency services.
• Required appropriate use of department's communication app.
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related job duties as assigned .

Qualifications:

Education/Skills

• Successful completion of a technical or vocational school surgical technician program.
• Associate Degree Surgical Technician, preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Work Experience:

• Five (5) years of surgical tech experience required. Ten (10) preferred.
• Three (3) years of surgical tech experience at a Level 1 or Level 2 trauma center required.
• Knowledge and proficiency in multiple surgical specialties (robotics, orthopaedics, neurology, vascular, general, robotics) with a minimum of 150 cases performed in that specialty.

Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE

• None

Additional Certification/Licensure - obtained based on the required timeframe below

• Basic Life Support

Within 30 Days of Employment

Required

• Certified Surgical Tech

Upon Hire

Preferred

Mental Demands:

Ability to perform repetitive tasks, cooperate with others, meet deadlines, schedule tasks, give

and follow directions, and demonstrate initiative.