Sr L&D Surg Tech
Wellstar Health System
Summary
The Senior Surgical Technologist functions under the direction of the registered professional nurse. Assists the health care team in providing safe, age-appropriate and culturally aware patient care. Has advanced knowledge, skill and ability to perform duties within the context of at least two surgical specialties including moderate to high acuity cases, anticipates the needs of the surgeon and other members of the healthcare team, and exhibits a high-level ability to acquire additional surgical skills for progressively more difficult cases.
Job description
Job Summary
The Senior Surgical Technologist functions under the direction of the registered professional nurse. Assists the health care team in providing safe, age-appropriate and culturally aware patient care. Has advanced knowledge, skill and ability to perform duties within the context of at least two surgical specialties including moderate to high acuity cases, anticipates the needs of the surgeon and other members of the healthcare team, and exhibits a high-level ability to acquire additional surgical skills for progressively more difficult cases.
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
- 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 the patient's 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 OR room over, ordering 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
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
- Practices using current clinical practice standards under the supervision of the registered nurse
- Upholds all health care system/organizational policies and procedures and clinical competencies including TJC Patient Safety Goals and Wellstar Health Systems safety absolutes
- Supports 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
- Assists in transporting patients
- Appropriately provides comfort and safety measures for specific age patient
- Participates in performance improvement initiatives
- Maintains positive attitude and flexibility in assignments
Practice Development
- Completes all initial and annual competencies, required mandatory education, population-specific education, CBLs
- Provides positive learning environment for students and new hires
- Strives to make the Wellstar Standards of behavior part of daily work activity
- Participates in any new training related to new policies, processes, or equipment
- Mentors, precepts, or trains students and new employees
- Trains others on new information, new processes, and/or new equipment
- 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
Other Duties
- 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
- Assumes responsibility for other duties as assigned
- Completes leadership development training annually
- Completes all Success Factor Requirements by planning with charge nurses and managers if necessary
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct
Requirements
- High School Diploma / GED
- Accredited Program in Surgical Technology (certificate or associate degree)
- BLS - Basic Life Support (or ARC-BLS or BLS-I)
- CST - Cert Surgical Tech or TS-C (NCCT) or CSFA - Certified Surgical First Assistant
- Minimum 5 years experience
- 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 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 including Word, Excel
Company overview
Wellstar Health System is one of Georgia's largest and most comprehensive integrated healthcare systems, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. As a non-profit health system, Wellstar operates with a mission to enhance the health and well-being of every person it serves through its PeopleCare approach. The system employs approximately 29,469 to 33,000 team members across multiple hospitals, health parks, medical offices, outpatient centers, pediatric centers, nursing facilities, and hospice and home care services. Wellstar is nationally recognized for operating Georgia's largest integrated trauma network and features the second-largest Emergency Department in the United States. The organization provides more than $1 billion annually in charity care and community programs, demonstrating its commitment to community health. Wellstar has earned numerous accolades including recognition on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, Best Workplaces in Health Care, and PEOPLE Companies that Care lists. The system embraces innovation through its venture firm Catalyst by Wellstar, which nurtures early-stage healthcare companies, and maintains academic partnerships with institutions like the Medical College of Georgia for caregiver training. With specialties spanning cardiovascular care, oncology, women's health, pediatrics, musculoskeletal services, and numerous other medical disciplines, Wellstar delivers comprehensive healthcare across all stages of life.