Operating Room Technician - Surgical Services

At Ashe Memorial Hospital, we are driven by our Mission Statement, "To meet the needs of the community by delivering patient-centered, high quality health care."

Ashe Memorial Hospital is proud to be Voted Ashe's Best Place to Work 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Come be a part of our dynamic team; you'll join Ashe's 2022 & 2023 Best Hospital, Best Surgeon, Best Physician, Best Nurse, and Best Medical Practice!  This is your opportunity to make a large difference in a small community!

Hours: Shift varies,
| No Supervisory Responsibilities | No Travel | Pay commensurate with experience


JOB SUMMARY:

Assists surgeon during operative and invasive procedures. Functions independently or as a collaborative team member in the surgical suite. Assures operating suite is adequately prepared for procedure. Monitors PAR level of all surgical instruments and supplies. Participates in departmental staff meetings and performance improvement activities. Responsible for washing, assembling, maintaining, and sterilizing surgical instrumentation and power equipment under the supervision of the Nurse Manger/Director of Surgical Services. All processing must be accomplished according to the hospital policy: AORN, AAMI, OSHA, CDC, and TJC standards and other regulatory agency standards and completed in a thorough and timely manner to ensure the availability of supplies and guarantee a safe patient/clinician environment. Handles confidential information regarding patients, surgery schedules a physician conversation. Has no supervisory responsibility. Will perform all work with accordance to
the mission, visions, and values of Ashe Memorial Hospital (AMH)

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• High School graduate preferred.

• Completion of an approved Surgical Technology Program preferred.

• Current knowledge of principles of asepsis and techniques in surgery.

Experience:
Prior work experience in the operating room and/or experience in sterile technique preferred.

License/Certifications:

• NC CNA certification, Certified Operating Room Tech, Certified Medical Assistant or Paramedic.

• BLS certification.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Operating Room Tech assists surgeon during operative and invasive procedures. In addition to general patient care, responsibilities of the Operating Room Tech include (but are not limited to):

1.    Interacts professionally with patient and family.

2.    Provides patient with explanations and verbal reassurance as necessary.

3.    Adapts procedures to meet individual needs of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients for treatment.

4.    Prepares room in a timely manner with all anticipated instruments, sutures, supplies and equipment for each individual surgical procedure utilizing doctor’s preference cards.

5.    Care for specimens and accurately handles specimens at all times.

6.    Assists in positioning, prepping and draping of patients for surgical procedures.

7.    Demonstrates the need for accurate counts and performs operating room counts (instruments, sponges, needles); follows proper procedure in case of incorrect count; reports all discrepancies to circulator and surgeon and/or corrects immediately.

8.    Carries out medical/surgical asepsis during treatments/procedures at all times (Evaluate by observing).

9.    Observes for breaks in sterile techniques and handle according to department standards of care.

10.  Maintains safe environment for patient, co-workers and self, per Ashe Memorial Hospital policies and procedures. Verify drugs and solutions received from circulating nurse according to department policy.

11.  Participates in side/site and procedure verification by checking schedule and communicating with team members and patient.

12.  Checks all equipment/instruments needed prior to each procedure to ensure proper functioning. Check and organize cases for the day to enhance room turnover and recognize supply and equipment conflicts.

13.  Open sterile supplies for procedure according to specific physicians’ preference card. Directs and assists in maintenance and handling of special equipment and instruments. Ability to teach other staff members, ability to perform minor troubleshooting on equipment.

14.  Protects patient’s sensitivities and right to privacy; closely observes patient with minimal disturbance.

15.  Follows aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies and setting up procedures.

16.  Sets up, scrubs and prepares for procedures at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled time unless otherwise directed by circulator or Nurse Manager/Director of Surgical Services.

17.  Maintains an orderly and sterile instrument table for the purpose of efficiency.

18.  Anticipates needs of surgeon during intra-operative phase by paying attention and responding appropriately.

19.  Cleans and prepares rooms between procedures and after last case; restocks supplies when necessary and organizes effectively for end-of-case clean up. Furniture, suture and equipment are returned to proper places.

20.  Is fully responsible for care of instruments/equipment during intra-/post-operative phase, including cleaning and processing of instruments. Transports contaminated instruments, in a covered manner to the decontamination area.

21.  Follows written procedures for steam sterilization; knows responsibilities and the necessity for chemical and biological monitoring.  Ability to perform minor troubleshooting and ability to teach other staff members.

22.  Consults with other staff members when in question or unfamiliar with equipment or procedure.

23.  Collaborates with other members of the OR nursing team in order to maintain equipment and supplies for surgical procedures. Updates physicians’ preference cards.

24.  Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of facts and good judgment within the Operating Room Technician’s scope of practice. Opens only those supplies/instruments necessary, as indicated by preference card, to maintain cost effectiveness and reduce waste.

25.  Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of assigned case and instruments and/or trays to be pulled for the procedure. Anticipates variables by having instruments/supplies available in room.

26.  Protects patient’s sensitivities and right to privacy.

27.  Utilizes all aspects of Standard Precautions and appropriate measures to prevent and control infection as per policy.

28.  Performs other duties as assigned.

Must be willing to receive all required vaccinations (i.e., flu shot, etc.). All new employees working must be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment (unless the new hire has requested and received an exemption). Candidates for employment will be notified of this policy requirement prior to the start of employment. After receiving an offer of employment, new employees must provide proof of vaccination or request and receive an exemption before beginning work.

To apply, please fill out an application, attach a cover letter, and resume. Include gaps in employment and reasons for separation.

Criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen required upon conditional job offer.

***Benefits apply the 1st of the month following employment, per policy.***

*For full job description and benefits, please contact Human Resources.

Ashe Memorial Hospital is an equal opportunity employer and, as such, considers individuals for employment according to their abilities and performance.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.  Employment decisions are made without regard to race, age, religion, color, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. All employment requirements mandated by local, state, and federal regulations will be observed.