Surgical Technologist-Certified

Overview

Performs selected patient care tasks within the Labor and Delivery Room under the supervision of Nursing Services. This includes, but is not limited to, preparing patients, equipment, and supplies for delivery, special obstetrical and surgical procedures, and assisting the obstetrical team. 

(Procedures and surgeries limited to obstetrics.)

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain positive relationship with patients, visitors and other employees.  Interacts professionally, courteously and appropriately with patients, visitors and other employees.  Behave in manner consistent with maintaining and furthering a positive public perception of BronxCare Health System and its employees.

Contributes to and participates in the Performance/Quality Improvement activities of the assigned department.  Contribution and participation includes data collection, analysis, implementation of and compliance with risk management and claims activities, support of and participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams, consistent adherence to the specific rules and regulations of the BronxCare Health System (a) Safety and Security Policies, (b) Risk Management: Incident and Occurrence Reporting, (c) Infection Control Policies and Procedures and (d) Patient and Customer Service.

Apply principles and practices of asepsis; performs surgical scrub, gowning, and gloving procedures.

Sets up sterile instrument table and prepares supplies according to the type of operation. Assists in draping of patient and operative area according to need.

Assists and anticipates surgeon needs for instruments, sutures, sponges, and supplies according to knowledge of procedural requirements and constant monitoring of progress. Observes patient and is prepared for emergencies.                 

Maintains correct count of sponges, needles, and instruments with circulating nurse and report correctness of discrepancies according to established policy and procedure. Maintains and monitors aseptic technique at all times and institute corrective measures in the event of contamination.

Assists in care, handling and disposition of specimen according to policy. Assists in application of dressings, and in securing drainage systems. Assists in moving patient to appropriate receptacle, decontaminating all equipment, instruments, and reusable supplies and clean room as prescribed.

Assists the Registered Professional Nurse in performing circulating functions according to established guidelines.

Assembles all necessary supplies according to patient and surgical procedure requirements. Provides special equipment as needed before, during, and after surgical procedures.

Observes and protect patient by correct positioning, application of restraint, strict aseptic practice and maintenance of aseptic environment.

Positions patient, adjusts table and accessories, as required for procedure. Prepares operative area and assists in draping as directed.

Assists in maintenance of correct sponge, needle and instrument counts and reports discrepancies to the surgical team and charge nurse. Completes operative count, and related records accurately and legibly.

Observes personnel in the room constantly, control traffic, report and correct breaks in aseptic technique promptly.

Assists in application of dressing, moving of patient and transfer to recovery room as directed. Assists in room clean-up and prepare for following procedure.

Assists nurse in preparing medications or solutions for surgery.

Saves all medication vials and ampules until patient leaves the room. Announces in an audible voice the name, concentration, amount, and medication administration route

Functions as a professional role model, including acting as a preceptor for students and hiring newly hired and incumbent staff.Demonstrates accountability for our practice based on institutional/regulatory agency policies/procedures.Maintains clinical competence and is responsible for own professional development.

Performs scrub and sterile instrument duties per established guidelines.

Does not dispense narcotics or control drugs under any circumstances. Registered Professional Nurse dispenses these drugs to the physician.

Performs functions to meet operational needs: * Assists in transporting patients to and from the surgical suite as directed. * Participates in the operating rooms' care and storage of instruments/special equipment.Assists in the maintenance of quotas of current dates for sterile supplies and equipment in the operating rooms and storage areas.

Assists in keeping operating room and sterile storage areas and equipment in order. * Assists in care of storage closets and cabinets.

Communicates with patients and other members of the health care team to provide continuity and coordination of services

Qualifications

Completion of a Surgical Technologist Training Program consisting of didactic and on-the-job training to develop skills necessary to perform job duties.

 Certification must be obtained within one year of graduation from a Surgical Technologist Program

High School or GED required