Mercy Health System

Overview

Works under the direction of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of 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. Possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. May include day, evening, night, weekend, holiday, and/or on-call hours. Report-back time for on-call per department guidelines. Performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. Has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon. 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.
• Assists the surgical team before, during, and after surgery by performing the following duties:
• Checks instruments, supplies, and equipment needed for surgical procedures.
• Scrubs, gowns, gloves, and sets up sterile table with instruments and supplies, equipment and medications/solutions needed for each procedure
• Assists with patient placement and positioning on the table. Assists in draping sterile field according to procedure/physician preference.
• Performs appropriate counts for sponges, needles, and instruments with circulator according to policy prior to the operation and before incision is closed.
• Gowns and gloves surgeon and assistants. Creates and maintains sterile field. Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during procedure.
• Passes instruments, etc. to surgeon during procedure. May sponge operative site, hold retractors during surgery, cut suture and cauterize previously clamped vessels as directed by surgeon. Prepares sterile dressings.
• Assists other members of team with cleaning the operating room after each procedure. Assists in prepping room for the next patient.
• Participates in department performance improvement activities.
• Assists in training new personnel.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required

Graduate of an CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program required OR program currently participating in accreditation process

Certification/Licensure

Certified Surgical Technologist through NBSTSA preferred

Certified Surgical Technologist through NBSTSA required only if program is not accredited but currently participating in accreditation process.

Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 day

Special Physicial Demands

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Culture of Excellence Behavior Expectations