Description
Surgical technologist's work under the supervision and delegatory authority of the surgeon to facilitate a safe and effective conduct of surgical procedures. Scrubs on assigned cases as either primary or secondary scrub. A Sterilization Technician performs technical functions relating to the processing and sterilization of instruments, provides guidance and education to the Department. The Sterilization Tech also coordinates the activities relating to the procurement, sterilization/processing, storage and distribution of supplies and equipment needed to support patient care activities.
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures the operating room environment is safe, that equipment is properly functioning, and the procedure is conducted under conditions that will maximize patient safety.
• Maintain asepsis and sterile techniques.
• Ensure proper techniques and practices are maintained at all times.

Perioperative Duties

• First scrub role handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure.
• Has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipated the needs of the surgeon.
• Has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is consistently on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field.
• Gathers, checks, and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure.
• Conforms to the surgical attire policy. Dons appropriate OR attire.
• Performs initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator.
• Participates in surgical site and patient verification during the time out.
• Assists in wiping down the rooms each morning before cases.

Intraoperative Duties

• Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment and supplies for usage during the procedure.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to the surgeon during the procedure.
• Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure.
• Performs additional counts as necessary.
• Prepares and passes of specimens as appropriate.
• Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.
• Assists other members of the team in terminal cleaning of the room.
• Assist in prepping the OR for the next patient.
• Restock unused supplies at the conclusion of a case.
• Surgical technologist in the second scrub role assists the surgeon and or surgical assistant during the operative procedure by carrying out tasks include sponging, suctioning, cutting suture, holding retractors, and manipulating the camera.

Additional Duties

• Maintain documentation that is clear, concise, accurate and legible.
• Plans and prepared for the day's case load.
• Prepare the OR/RR environment for the scheduled activities of the day.
• Conform to surgical attire policy.
• Aware of patient rights.
• Adheres to the policies and procedures of OR/RR.
• Document incidents as per policy.
• Prepare and maintain adequate linens and supplies.
• Maintains professional growth.
• Understands emergency procedures and protocols.
• Maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served i.e... neonate, child, adolescent, geriatric.
• Work as a member of the Nursing Department to help reinforce a culture of safety in the Nursing Department and organization wide.
• Provide effective infection control practices.

STERILIZATION TECH:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for decontamination/cleaning, wrapping, and sterilization of instruments and bundles for all patient care areas.

• • Maintain standard precautions for decontamination.
  • Monitor biological and chemical wash solutions that ensure consistent safety.
  • Perform quality control checks and maintain equipment.
  • Sort instrumentation and make them available for surgeons in a timely manner.
  • Examine equipment meticulously to ensure they are properly sterilized.
  • Verify that the equipment is working properly if defective repair or replace it.
  • Prepare and package medical equipment for use of ancillary departments.

• Assists with cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes in Endoscopy suite.
• Operation, Maintenance, documentation of sterilization.
• Maintains equipment inventory of all supplies needed to run the department.
• Performs all sterilization processes for instrumentation used throughout the organization both on and off campus.
• General knowledge of medical terminology.
• Uses approved abbreviations for documentation.

Requirements
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Fulfills staff development and annual competency requirements.
2. Will have a working knowledge of The Joint Commission standards for Sterile Processing.
3. Must be familiar with International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM's) best practice recommendations.
4. Must be familiar with the hospital mission, regulations, and AORN standards.
5. Must complete educational program for sterilization certification, with certificate of completion within 1 year of employment.
6. Certification in approved sterile processing accrediting body such as International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM) after 1 year of working in the department.
7. Certified as an OR Technician after 1 year of experience in department

WORKER TRAITS:

• Know, understand, and exercise strategic priorities for customer satisfaction and basic customer focus requirements.
• Follow NMMC Code of conduct, and customer interaction standards.
• Work as productive team member and independently.
• Completes 90% of assigned tasks without additional reminders.
• Strives to make good use of time; seeks out work that needs to be done; reports free time to supervisor; assists others as requested or situation dictates.
• Conforms to policies and procedures in regard to attendance, working hours and punctuality.
• Near visual acuity for accurate reading of gages, thermometers for recording on patient records.
• Maintains annual certification with International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM).

• • Completing required continuing education requirements annually.
  • Seeks out additional education and learning opportunities to improve job performance.

• Reviews and updates policies and procedures in accordance with evidence base practices and JACHO recommendations and requirements.
• Maintains a collaborative relationship with Infection Control to ensure maximum sterility
• Ability to perform a variety of duties in the Operating Room.
• Capable of attaining set standards of asepsis techniques.
• Must be able to work in collaboration with surgeons, anesthetist, and department staff.
• Assist in orientation program.
• Demonstrate professional involvement at the unit level.
• Ensure proper equipment functioning.
• Involved in quality improvement activities in the department.
• Participates in Grand Round
• Perform other such related duties not listed herein but deemed in the best interest of the unit or NMMC.

Position requirements:

• Manual dexterity is required to move and use hands easily and skillfully.
• Physical demands and working conditions.
• Work is medium. Must be able to lift 30 pounds. Hearing to understand verbal instructions.
• Standing and walking most of the day.
• Lifting and pushing patients, carts, stretchers, and wheelchairs.
• May work on occasional weekend to complete sterilization of instruments.