Surgical Technologist

Position Summary

The Surgical Technologists work under the supervision and delegator authority of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and non-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. Surgical technologists are experts in the theory and application of the principles of asepsis and sterile technique to combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation and tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Essential Job Functions/Accountabilities

Properly performs surgical scrub and donning OR attire and personal protective equipment (PPE). Assists team members with gowning and gloving and draping, establishing the sterile field. Gathers, checks and opens supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedure. 

Aseptically setups up instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for procedure. Performs initial and subsequent instrument, sharps and sponge counts per policy. Assists in transferring and proper positioning of patient. Assists in maintaining normothermia and patient comfort. Inspects and prepares skin for surgical procedures (e.g., hair removal by clippers, preps. area, etc.) if needed. Actively participates in the time out procedure.

Sponges or suctions the operative site. Prepares and cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon. Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure. 

Transfers, but does not administer medications.  Assists in cauterizing methods. Holds retractor or instruments as directed by the surgeon. Maintains continuity during post-operative case by performing duties such as: assists in applying dressing and casts and assists as team member in returning patients to appropriate position for extubation and transfer to surgery transport cart. Prepares bone/tissue products (Not ACL Graft). Properly prepares handles and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate and in accordance with policy and procedure.

Operates sterilizers, adjusts operating tables, positions and properly handles microscopes and all other surgical equipment ensuring that all is functioning properly and safely; appropriately sets up supplies, equipment and instruments using aseptic technique. R.N. Circulator may delegate tasks as necessary, assisting anesthesia and assisting on complex procedures within scope of practice.  Placing a urinary catheter is in the scope of practice, however, a demonstrated competency must be documented before performing.

Second Surgical Technologist assists the surgeon and/or first assistant during the operative procedure by carrying out additional technical tasks (Not cutting, clamping, or suturing of tissue). This role is distinct from that of the first assistant and may in some circumstances be performed at the same time as the scrub role.

Duties include, but are not exclusive to, the following: Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon, Sponges or suctions the operative site, Applies electrocautery to clamps or forceps on blood vessels, Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon, Connects drains to suction apparatus, Applies dressings to closed wounds.

All other duties not specifically assigned.

Position Requirements

Education: Completion of an approved accredited surgical technology program or military training.

Experience: Three (3) to Five (5) years of demonstrated experience in field or profession preferred.

Technical Skills: N/A

Certifications/Licenses/Registrations: Certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist is preferred.