Operating Room Surgical Technician

Operating Room Surgical Technician

 

The Operating Room surgical Technician is responsible for completing the following duties:

 

a. Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures including: open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, and total joint replacement surgery.

 

(1) Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment.

 

(2) Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.

 

(3) Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical set-ups.

 

(4) Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.

 

(5) Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.

 

(6) Assists the team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies.

 

(7) Handles all specimens appropriately.

 

(8) In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.

 

(9) Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, and cutting sutures Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.

 

(10) Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students, and new Operating Room (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures.

 

b. Maintains Equipment and Work Areas

 

(1) Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions.

 

(2) Maintains OR area.

 

(3) Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.

 

(4) Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action.

 

c. Provides Guidance/Supervision

 

(1) Provides guidance and support to Nursing Assistants and other Surgical Technicians.

 

(2) Supervises volunteers, aides, non-surgical team members, students, and other personnel.

 

(3) Provides guidance and support to professional, and technical students of an approved surgical technology program.

 

d. Other Duties

 

(1) Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.

 

(2) Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses.