Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)

Find your WHY at Reid Health

Job Title:  Surgical Technologist

Department:  Reid Outpatient Surgery and Endoscopy

Location:  Reid Health main campus. Second floor

Reports To:  Inpatient and Outpatient Clinical Coordinator/ ROSE Clinical Director

FLSA:  Non-exempt, Full-time

Reviewed By: Jaime Shuler and Mellissa Stephens

Reviewed Date: September 2021

General Summary

The Surgical Technologist in the first scrub role handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedures. He/she has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon. He/she has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field. In the second scrub role, he/she assists the surgeon and/or surgical assistant during the operative procedures by carrying out tasks including sponging, suctioning, cutting suture, holding retractors, and manipulating the endoscopic camera.

Essential Responsibilities

• Gather, check, and open supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure.
• Set up the sterile back table and Mayo stand with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure.
• Perform initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator.
• Assist with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.
• Participate in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out procedure.
• Secure tubing, cords, and other sterile accessories.

3.  Intraoperative Duties as follows:

• Prepare and anticipate additional instrumentation, equipment and supplies for usage during the procedure.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedure.
• Measure and pass medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure.
• Hold retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.
• Sponge or suction the operative site.
• Apply electrocautery to clamps or forceps on bleeders.
• Cut suture material as directed by the surgeon.
• Coordinate the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
• Maintain highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure.
• Perform additional counts as necessary.
• Prepare sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices.
• Prepare and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate.
• Clean and prepare instruments for terminal sterilization.
• Assist other members of the team with terminal cleaning of room.
• Assist in prepping the OR for the next patient.
• Participate in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.

4. Additional Duties for Surgical Technologist assisting in circulating:

• Obtain additional instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary while the surgical procedure is in progress.
• Monitor conditions in the operating room and constantly asses the needs of the patient and surgical team.
• Assist with transferring patient to the operating room table.
• Monitor the comfort of the patient and provides verbal and tactile reassurance to the patient.
• Assist in maintaining normothermia.
• Assist the anesthesia provider.
• Assist with the positioning the patient, using appropriates equipment and anatomical principles to avoid patient injury.
• Apply the electrosurgical grounding pad.
• Assist with applying tourniquets and monitors before the procedure begins.
• Complete the patient skin prep prior to draping by the sterile procedure begins.
• Anticipate additional supplies needed during the procedure.
• Properly cares for specimens.
• Secure dressing after incision closure.
• Perform urinary catherization.
• Update and keeps accurate records of the surgeon’s preference.

Qualifications

Successful completion of ROSE and Reid Health orientation and competency based skills appropriate for the area assigned. Individual performance and competency based skills are maintained through ongoing and continued professional educational offerings.

Education Required: Graduate of a Surgical Technologist program.

Experience Preferred:  Minimum of one year experience in Surgical Services

Certifications

• Basic Life Support

Other: 

• Calm, pleasant, professional demeanor is expected.
• Must have the ability to work cooperatively with all staff, physicians, and departments.
• Must be committed to Patient Experience and Patient Safety.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to instruct and comfort patients and their families, and maintain contacts with a variety of internal and external staff.
• Recognize and reinforce positive efforts of the healthcare team/co-workers.
• Address issues in a tactful and timely manner

Key Service Behavior Expectations

Professional Behaviors & Expectations

Teamwork

Relationship Based Care

Unit Quality Standards

Will maintain focus on personal and departmental measures to:

Work Environment

Overtime: Yes, if the need arises.

Work on Holidays:  Yes, in a rotation.

Work on Weekends: Yes, if the need arises.

Work on Different Shifts:  Yes, if the need arises.

On-Call:  Yes

Travel:  Yes, if the need arises

Physical Requirements

Lifting/Carrying:  Up to 35 lbs., 50% of shift or more 

Pushing/Pulling:  Up to 35 lbs., 50% of shift or more

Standing/ Walking:  50% of shift or more

Sitting: 50% of shift or less

Hearing: Must have normal hearing (aids permitted) to perform duties of the position

Vision: Must have 20/20 vision (glasses or contacts permitted)

Dexterity: fine and gross motor coordination

This job description is intended to describe the general duties considered necessary to describe the principle functions of the position as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.  Management has the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time. 

Schedule Details