Surgical Technologist, Ambulatory Surgery

Description

This position expects the surgical technologist to be an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical technologists work under the supervision and delegatory authority of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists are experts in the theory and application of the principles of asepsis and sterile technique to combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation and tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

The surgical technologist in the first scrub role handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. 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.

The surgical technologist in the second scrub role assists the surgeon and/or 

surgical assistant at the table during the operative procedure by carrying out tasks including 

sponging, suctioning, cutting suture, holding retractors and manipulating the 

camera. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Preoperative Duties are as follows:

1. Donning OR attire and personal protective equipment (PPE).

2. Gathers, checks and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical 

procedure.

3. Performs the surgical scrub, and donning gown and gloves.

4. Sets up the sterile back table and Mayo stand with instruments, supplies, 

equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure.

5. Performs initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator. 

6. Assists the team members with gowning and gloving. 

7. Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.

8. Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out 

procedure.

9. Secures tubing, cords and other sterile accessories

Intraoperative Duties are as follows:

1. Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment and supplies 

for usage during the procedure.

2. Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to 

surgeon during procedure.

3. Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions 

utilized during the surgical procedure.

4. Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.

5. Sponges or suctions the operative site.

6. Applies electrocautery to clamps or forceps on bleeders.

7. Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon.

8. Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during 

robotic surgery as directed by the surgeon.

9. Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure.

10. Performs additional counts as necessary.

11. Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices. 

12. Prepares and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate.

13. Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.

14. Assists other members of the team with terminal cleaning of room.

15. Assists in prepping the OR for the next patient.

16. Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality 

patient care

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Review the patient’s chart, identifies patient, verifies surgery to be performed 

with consent forms, and brings the patient to the assigned operating room.

2. Assists with transferring patient to the operating room table.

3. Monitors the comfort of the patient and provides verbal and tactile 

reassurance to the patient.

4. Assists in maintaining normothermia.

5. Assists the anesthesia provider.

6. Assists with positioning the patient, using appropriate equipment and 

anatomical principles to avoid patient injury.

7. Applies the electrosurgical grounding pad. 

8. Assists with applying tourniquets and monitors before the procedure begins.

9. Completes the patient skin prep prior to draping by the sterile surgical team.

10. Can Performs instrument, sharps, and sponge counts with the surgical technologist 

in the first scrub role prior to the operation and before the incision is closed.

11. Anticipates additional supplies needed during the procedure.

12. Properly cares for specimens.

13. Secures dressings after incision closure.

14. Helps transport the patient to the post anesthesia care unit as needed

15. Updates and keeps accurate records of the surgeon’s preferences

16. Will assist in the sterile processing department with cleaning, assembling, sterilizing and/or reprocessing all equipment, supplies and instruments according to regulatory requirements and industry standards. 

17. Will assist with maintaining the supply and implant inventory.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Graduate from a surgical technology program accredited through ARC/STSA with (CST) Certified Surgical Technologist endorsement, preferred but will consider two (2) years of experience in a directly related field/area

2.  Maintains CPR certification for Health Care Providers.

3.  One - Two years of experience, preferably in an ambulatory surgery center setting.

Physical Requirements:

1. Hearing: Adequate to perform job duties in person and over the telephone. Able to use 

stethoscope and respond to verbal questions.

Speaking: Must be able to communicate clearly to patients in person and over the telephone.

2. Vision: Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including visual examination of patient and 

reading information from printed sources and computer screens.

3. Physically:  Requires frequent lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted, 

including assisting patients when required. Adequate physical ability including sufficient manual 

dexterity to perform the requisite health care service. Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting and sitting, with some heavy lifting, pushing and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift. 

4. Requires exposure to communicable diseases and/or bodily fluids.