Lead Certified Surgical Tech 4

Job Summary

The Resource Surgical Technologist functions under the direction of the registered professional nurse, assisting the health care team in providing safe, age-appropriate and culturally aware patient care. He/she has advanced knowledge, skill and ability to perform duties within the context of at least three surgical specialties including moderate to high acuity cases, anticipates the needs of the surgeon and other members of the healthcare team, and functions as an expert technical resource.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Checks supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedure, including review and utilization of appropriate preference card.
• Assists with room set-up to include opening of sterile supplies.
• Sets up sterile table with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medication/solutions needed for procedure in an accurate, aseptically prioritized, and timely manner.
• Performs appropriate surgical counts with circulator.
• Actively participates in the procedure pause/time-out.
• Scrubs, gowns, and gloves; gowns and gloves surgeon and assistants.
• Assists in draping sterile field.
• Passes instruments to surgeon during the procedure and maintains an organized back table and operative field.
• Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during procedure.
• Prepares sterile dressings.
• Actively participates in post procedure pause, including accounting for proper handling of specimens.
• Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.
• Applies principles of asepsis to ensure prevention of infection and safety of patients and employees.
• Prepares case carts according to procedure and preference cards.
• Observes patient condition and immediately reports any changes or significant findings to the physician and Registered Nurse.
• Proactively plans for next steps in the progression of procedure and adjusts when an emergency arises.
• Prepares OR room and other areas for receiving patients, including stocking, cleaning, turning over OR room, ordering/requesting supplies, and preparing instruments.
• Maintains financial stewardship related to supplies and equipment.
• Applies knowledge of advanced surgical techniques.
• Exhibits a high level of collaboration with peers in decisions making related to surgical patient care.
• Provides relationship-based patient centered care consistent with population specific characteristics under supervision of the registered nurse.
• Partners with the patient by verifying procedure and conducting relief bedside shift report.
• Upholds all health care system/organizational policies and procedures and clinical competencies, including TJC Patient Safety Goals and Wellstar safety absolutes.
• Supports and leads evidence-based practice and ethical accountability.
• Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration and promotes team spirit and positive work environment.
• Serves as patient advocate including patient care and safety.
• Assists other members of the team with between-case and terminal cleaning of room.
• Assists in preparing room for the next patient and in transporting patients.
• Initiates and leads performance improvement initiatives.
• Completes all initial and annual competencies, required mandatory education, population specific education, CBLs.
• Provides positive learning environment for students and new hires.
• Mentors, precepts, or trains students and new employees.
• Trains others on new information, new processes, and/or new equipment.
• Participates in decision-making activities related to evaluating surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.
• Serves as resource/super-user for new technology or procedures introduced by surgeons.
• Maintains twenty (20) hours in continuing education related to field per evaluation period.
• Member of professional organization in specialty.
• Supports licensed staff as requested by utilizing skills and equipment in which he/she is competent.
• Cares for surgical equipment and accessories.
• Ensures organization and cleanliness of the surgical area.
• Maintains stock/medical supplies.
• Functions as expert technical resource.
• Completes multiple leadership development trainings annually.

Required Minimum Education

High School Diploma / GED; General or Accredited Program in Surgical Technology.

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated: BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS or BLS-I; CST - Cert Surgical Tech or TS-C (NCCT) or CSFA - Certified Surgical First Assistant or CSA - Certified Surgical Assistant.

Required Minimum Experience

Minimum 10 years experience required.

Required Minimum Skills

• Ability to read, write and speak the English language.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate with other health care providers in the provision of patient care.
• Ability to delegate to other team members as required.
• Ability to multi-task essential.
• Ability to function in stressful and emergency situations essential.
• Strong detail orientation required.
• Knowledge of surgical procedures required.
• Basic computer skills are required.
• Skill and ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in-writing.
• Skill and ability to handle multiple priorities, self-direct, and apply independent judgment.
• Ability to think critically and adapt quickly to changing situations.
• Skill and ability in basic computer skills to include Word, Excel.