Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED:

High School Diploma or GED.

Graduate of a Surgical Technology Program or LPN program. 

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Three years of surgical technologist experience. 

MINIMUM LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY LAW: 

Current GA LPN License if applicable. 

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

Certification as a Surgical Technologist Required or Licensed as an LPN required.  BLS certification required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

1.      Meets the criteria stated in Level II.

2.      Performs duties relative to maintaining specific surgical specialties.

a.      Coordinates activities of specialty to ensure standardization, appropriate utilization, and timely acquisition of inventory and maintenance of: equipment, supplies and instrumentation.

b.      Oversees specialty to ensure timely, accurate and appropriate procedure development and implementation of processes necessary to meet customer expectations.  This is accomplished by having awareness of current and future procedure/techniques used in the specialty and the implications thereof, establishment and maintenance of processes to identify low inventory and how staff can obtain needed item/information if specialty member is not available.

c.      Ensures new staff receives updated, accurate materials along with a timely, needs specific review of the specialty - is designated as an alternate to the specialty review (working with Surgical Services Education).

d.      Provides a review and recertification programs regularly, timely and appropriately assumes responsibility for ensuring training of all identified co-workers with new equipment/products/instruments.

e.      Ensures timely and accurate documentation of physician and service specific data for scheduling procedures, equipment, instrumentation, preference cards, charge sheets and instrument pan lists.

f.       Performs the preceptor role in the training of students and demonstrates leadership abilities.  Serves as a mentor and role model.

g.      Serves as willing, cooperative, informative, supportive preceptor to new employees.

3.      Functions in partnership with licensed staff.

a.      Facilitates continuity of procedure and functioning of other health care team members.

b.      Maintains an organized back table using standard specialty set ups.

c.      Gives a thorough report to on-coming shift, including verification of sterilizer integrators, medications/fluids on the back table, items used within the surgical procedure that may still be retained within the patient, next suture, if applicable and irrigation amounts.

d.      Observes patient’s condition and immediately reports any changes or significant findings to the physician and Registered Nurse.

e.      Serves as patient advocate including patient care and safety.

f.       Conducts him/herself in a manner that demonstrates self-direction appropriate independent judgment obtaining further interpretation as needed and effective prioritization.

g.      Assists in transporting patients.

4.      Performs patient care duties under the direction of a registered nurse

a.      Supports licensed staff by performing treatments or procedures as delegated and only those which he/she is competent and in a safe, accurate and timely manner; this may include clipping, prepping surgical site and positioning of patient.

b.      Recognizes instruments, knows their specific function, and prepares them for use in multiple specialties.

c.      Provides support for the RN performing patient care by anticipating and communicating additional resources needed for a procedure. 

5.      Performs other essential duties. 

a.      Prepares case carts according to procedure and preference cards.

b.      Assists specialty team in updating preference cards.

c.      Reviews OR Schedules in advance and alerts specialty staff, manager and/or director of potential conflicts.

d.      Participates in decision-making activities related to evaluating and acquiring surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.  

e.      Collaborates with other health care professionals in the development of surgical budgetary requirements. 

f.       Prepares OR room and other areas (as needed) for receiving patients, which includes but is not limited to stocking, cleaning equipment or storage areas, turns OR room over, orders/requests supplies, preparing instruments for future procedures, notification of specialty staff regarding needed instrumentation or equipment.

g.      Seeks out additional responsibility to assist specialty staff, and/or manager.

h.      Serves as a Super-Trainer/ or Skills Instructor for skills/equipment with the scope of practice for a surgical technician.

i.        Completes all System Net-Learning Requirements by planning ahead with charge nurses and managers if necessary.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

•        Superior knowledge of the various surgical equipment and advanced surgical instrumentation.

•        Expert knowledge in specialized and complex surgical cases.

•        Ability to work as a member of a team.  

•        Understanding of specialty surgical cases and the resources and supplies needed to perform those cases.

•        Ability to think critically and adapt quickly to changing situations.

•        Skill and ability in basic computer skills.

•        Demonstrated skill in organizing and coordinating the effective use of staff and materials.

•        Skill and ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in-writing.

•        Independently first scrubs basic surgical procedures in all surgical specialties.

•        Demonstrates ability to problem-solve in relation to the procedure being performed.

•        Applies base knowledge of anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, microbiology, and pharmacology for optimal surgical patient care.  

•        Demonstrates knowledge and practice of patient care concepts.  

•        Applies the principles of sterile technique during surgical procedures.

•        Skill and ability to handle multiple priorities, self-directed, and apply independent judgment.

Diversity & Inclusion

Excellence at Work