Description

The Surgical Tech reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Operating Room Technician, under the guidance of the registered nurse, is responsible for the care and safety of the patients who come under his or her care. This role scrubs and assists with various surgical procedures in all specialties. The Surgical Tech also assists with stocking of supplies, cleaning, and performs other duties as requested. 

Included within this assignment is the responsibility for ensuring effective communication between him or herself, the charge nurse, the patient, other staff, physicians, and other hospital departments.

Responsibilities:

• Assists the surgeon during surgery as scrub person according to prescribed standards.
• Assembles the necessary instruments, supplies, and equipment for the surgical intervention and age of patient. Checks for proper functioning of equipment
• Applies and monitors the principles of aseptic technique throughout the intra-operative period
• Performs sponge, needle and instrument count according to policy and procedure
• Identifies, labels and dispenses medications and/or solution safely with consideration to age and weight
• Anticipates, plans for, and responds to the needs of the surgeon
• Maintain established department, unit, and hospital policies, procedures, and objectives regarding performance improvement, safety, environmental, and infection control
• Assists in housekeeping duties and cleanliness of department as directed to insure safe patient environment
• Assists in stocking of operating rooms after procedures are completed
• Assists surgical team with patient preparation such as positioning, skin prep, equipment, and supplies, as directed, and with consideration to age specific/developmental variables
• Assists in transportation of patients when directed, maintaining age appropriate safety measures
• Assists in cleaning, decontaminating, and sterilization of equipment and instruments. Uses supplies judiciously
• Reports malfunctioning equipment to the appropriate people
• Confines and contains sources of contamination
• Properly identifies and preserves specimens
• Participates in the evaluation of new supplies, equipment and/or instruments
• Accepts reasonable work assignments
• Behavior reflects a professional and cooperative attitude
• Is accountable for personal conduct and promotes good working relationships among staff and other departments
• Utilizes available resources to keep current in practice
• Performs activities in an organized and timely manner
• Contributes to the efficient and smooth functioning of the department
• Participates in the development and implementation of departmental goals and objectives
• Offers suggestions and input for procedures of nursing practice
• Participates in educational programs and hospital in-services to increase professional competence and to meet personal needs and goals
• Seeks assistance from other professional resource persons to improve skills, knowledge, and practice
• Identifies and reports unsafe patient care practice and assumes responsibility for intervention

Qualifications

Required:

• High school graduate or equivalent
• Completion of a Surgical Technologist program or on the job training related to healthcare
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers within 30 days of hire

Preferred:

• Certification as Surgical Technician
• College level microbiology and human anatomy and physiology

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.