Overview
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Under the supervision of the registered nurse, the surgical technologist is to understand principles and practices of surgical asepsis as related to patient care in the operating room
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Certified: Under supervision of the operating room staff nurse: works with surgeon, in preparing the operating room, sterilizing supplies and equipment, preparing the operative site and draping the patient
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Handles instruments, sponges, sutures, catheters, drains and dressings to insure asepsis and safety to the patient
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Non-Certified: Helps prepare operating room for surgical procedures
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Sets up tables and trays required, lays out instruments, syringes, sutures, needles and other supplies
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Acts as a scrub nurse
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Gloves and gowns surgical teams; assists the surgeon in draping patient
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Assists the surgical team under the direction of a registered nurse
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Responsibilities
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Level 1-
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n - Able to organize and prepare surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation collaboratively with other team members.
n - Able to complete necessary documentation regarding medications, specimens and sterilization, etc
n - Demonstrates a good attitude, professionalism and customer service
n - Able to perform basic surgical procedure in the scrub role to include but not limited to: gowning and gloving, setting up and maintaining back table utilizing aseptic technique, anticipate and meet the needs of the surgeon, apply sterile dressings and transferring of patients to a stretcher
n - Assists with cost containment efforts to include but not limited to: supply utilization, promoting short “turnover” between cases and managing time well.
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Level 2-
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n - Able to meet the knowledge of Level I
n - Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in organizing and preparing surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation
n - Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and practice of patient care techniques, aseptic technique and the role of the first scrub
n - Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
n - Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in operating room emergency situations
n - Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in one or two surgical specialty areas
n - Able to demonstrate a professional attitude
n - Able to precept students
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Level 3-
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n - Able to meet the knowledge of Levels 1 and 2
n - Able to precept new employees
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Level 4-
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n - Able to meet the knowledge of Levels 1, 2 and 3
n - Able to demonstrate competency of specialty are by full knowledge of surgeons needs, equipment, teaching/orienting specialty service to new employees and students
n - Assist in coordinating competencies and development of policies and procedures in specialty service
n - Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
n - Assists in equipment trials, coordinate with materials manager to ensure adequate supply levels, maintain proper functioning instrumentation and equipment
n - Assists with the annual budget process
n - Maintains specialty service competency manual and accurate education records demonstrating staff competencies
n - Able to demonstrate knowledge of new trends for service specialty and informs departmental staff
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Qualifications
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Education:
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Graduate of accredited school of surgical technology
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Must have a copy of a diploma or offical transcript of the highest level of education
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If LPN, graduate of an accredited school of nursing with previous surgical tech experience.
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Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:
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If LPN, current LPN licensure by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
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BLS certification required
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If certified as a Surgical Technologist, by the Association of Surgical Technologist, Inc.
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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Affter appropriate amount of time, work to achieve levels of career ladder
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Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English
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Career Ladder for Surgical Technologists
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Goals:
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To enhance quality surgical patient care
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To encourage employer recognition and rewarding of advanced competency
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To promote accountability and responsibility of the surgical technologist toward the patient
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To encourage professional growth of the surgical technologists
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To encourage experienced ST’s to contribute toward the professional growth of the other members of the surgical team
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To increase the visibility of the role of ST in the hospital and other institutions