Certified Surgical Tech - Operating Room

At UC Health, we're proud to have the best and brightest teams and clinicians collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.

As the region's adult academic health system, we strive for innovation and provide world-class care for not only our community, but patients from all over the world. Join our team and you'll be able to develop your skills, grow your career, build relationships with your peers and patients, and help us be a source of hope for our friends and neighbors.

UC Health is an EEO employer.

Primary responsibility involves performance of specific tasks, as a scrub technologist in an operating room. Assists with the maintenance of surgical instruments, supplies and equipment. Maintains positive customer relations. Shall demonstrate competency and possess the technical skills appropriate for his/her assigned cases and utilizes that knowledge in assisting others. Performs various duties within his/her scope of responsibility and is accountable to the Clinical Nurse Manager of the Operating Room. 

Minimum Required: High school diploma or GED. Preferred: Associate degree in Surgical Technology. | Required: Certification as a surgical technologist (CST). | 6 months-2 years of active experience.

PATIENT POPULATION - (CLINICAL ONLY):

Engages in population appropriate communication.

Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks.

Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary.

Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.

Interprets population related data and plans care appropriately.

Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from, unique psychological needs or those associated with religious / cultural norms. 

Operates equipment safely.

Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.

Responsible for surgical preparation of surgical procedures:

Checks daily assignment.

Reviews surgical preference sheets to clarify surgical routine and update preference sheets as needed.

Utilize resources to obtain needed supplies for the case.

Checks table(s) for complete readiness for each procedure. Ensures all items needed for the cases are present:

Obtains physician’s special instruments and sutures prior to start of the case.

Ensures communication made to surgeon prior to the start of the case if any supplies and/or equipment are unavailable.

Responsible for the set-up of sterile instrumentation, supplies and equipment on assigned procedures:

Demonstrates, maintains, identifies and corrects any break in aseptic technique while setting up the case as well as during the surgical procedure.

Demonstrates knowledge and dexterity in handling of special supplies and equipment and assures it’s proper functioning. Is knowledgeable of the specifics of the surgical procedure and able to perform these tasks in an organized and efficient manner.

Effectively communicates pertinent information to relief personnel so as to provide safe continuity of care.

Promotes an environment of cooperation and teamwork:

Attendance is prompt and regular.

Effectively communicates with all health team members in a timely and courteous manner.

Shares pertinent information with nursing manager.

Willing to share knowledge with others.

Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to change.

Takes only allotted time for breaks and lunch according to the policy.

Returns borrowed equipment to proper room so that co-workers do not have to spend time locating it.

Under the surgeon’s supervision, assists with suctioning secretions, holding retractors, assisting with skin closure, cutting sutures and irrigating wounds.

Circulates for operative procedures under supervision of R.N.

Assists with patient care at the end of the surgical procedure:

Operative site is prepared.

Cleanses operative site.

Connects drainage tubes to appropriate devices.

Assists and/or applied sterile dressing.

Assists with patient transfer to bed/stretcher.

Covers soiled gloves with clean exam gloves.

Assists with transfer with adequate number of assistants present.

Responsible for knowing and using good body mechanics.

Processes case cart.

Disassembles table(s) contents and instruments, and places in proper receptacles for cleaning.

Thoroughly sprays dirty instruments in their containers prior to transport to SPD.

Sends (appropriate) instruments to SPD and/or clean up room for terminal cleaning.

Disposes of trash and linen appropriately.

Assists in expediting case turnaround time.

Assists with cleaning of tables, floors, etc.

Promotes safe environment for patient and all health care members:

Instruments, sharps and sponges are counted according to policy.

Identifies and transfers surgical specimens according to O.R. policy.

Performs safety check on all equipment (power instruments, etc.) for proper assembly, completeness and operation before it is used.

Correctly prepares and labels medications including dosages and percentages to be used during the case according to type of procedure to be done and/or doctor’s preference card.

Keeps operative field free of unused instruments, equipment, and sharps.

Receives instruments from surgeon.

Keeps instruments clean by wiping blood and tissue from instruments.

Removes unnecessary articles from the operative field.

Follows universal precautions according to hospital policy.

Demonstrates professional behavior:

Recognizes benefits of learning from positive and negative experiences and integrates this knowledge into daily practice.

Serves as a role model.

Recognizes and acknowledges peer accomplishments.

Participates in committee work pertinent to Nursing Service and the O.R.

Identifies and utilizes feedback in identifying own learning needs.

Meets emergency needs of department through participation in on-call system.

Responds in a prompt manner to call. Able to efficiently and swiftly organize needs of an emergency case.

Exercises safe judgment in decision making.

Functions as Patient Advocate:

Is aware of physical and emotional needs at all times and gives appropriate care and comfort.

Will assist any patient in need, not just those assigned to his/her care.

Protects patient’s dignity while anesthetized by avoiding unnecessary exposure.

Protects patient’s privacy by insuring confidentiality of chart and history.

Puts patient’s welfare above person consideration; admits to errors and takes proper steps to correct.

Participates in educational activities of the unit:

Assists in the orientation of new personnel. Participates/plans in unit in-services as appropriate.

Attends unit in-services.