Overview:

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

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

Handles instruments, sponges, sutures, catheters, drains and dressings to insure asepsis and safety to the patient

Non-Certified: Helps prepare operating room for surgical procedures

Sets up tables and trays required, lays out instruments, syringes, sutures, needles and other supplies

Acts as a scrub nurse

Gloves and gowns surgical teams; assists the surgeon in draping patient

Assists the surgical team under the direction of a registered nurse

Responsibilities:

Level 1-

Able to organize and prepare surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation collaboratively with other team members.
Able to complete necessary documentation regarding medications, specimens and sterilization, etc
Demonstrates a good attitude, professionalism and customer service
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
Assists with cost containment efforts to include but not limited to: supply utilization, promoting short “turnover” between cases and managing time well.

Level 2-

Able to meet the knowledge of Level I
Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in organizing and preparing surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation
Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and practice of patient care techniques, aseptic technique and the role of the first scrub
Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in operating room emergency situations
Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in one or two surgical specialty areas
Able to demonstrate a professional attitude
Able to precept students

Level 3-

Able to meet the knowledge of Levels 1 and 2
Able to precept new employees

Level 4-

Able to meet the knowledge of Levels 1, 2 and 3
Able to demonstrate competency of specialty are by full knowledge of surgeons needs, equipment, teaching/orienting specialty service to new employees and students
Assist in coordinating competencies and development of policies and procedures in specialty service
Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
Assists in equipment trials, coordinate with materials manager to ensure adequate supply levels, maintain proper functioning instrumentation and equipment
Assists with the annual budget process
Maintains specialty service competency manual and accurate education records demonstrating staff competencies
Able to demonstrate knowledge of new trends for service specialty and informs departmental staff
Qualifications:

Education:

Graduate of accredited school of surgical technology

Must have a copy of a diploma or offical transcript of the highest level of education

If LPN, graduate of an accredited school of nursing with previous surgical tech experience.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

If LPN, current LPN licensure by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing

BLS certification required

If certified as a Surgical Technologist, by the Association of Surgical Technologist, Inc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Affter appropriate amount of time, work to achieve levels of career ladder

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English

Career Ladder for Surgical Technologists

Goals:

To enhance quality surgical patient care

To encourage employer recognition and rewarding of advanced competency

To promote accountability and responsibility of the surgical technologist toward the patient

To encourage professional growth of the surgical technologists

To encourage experienced ST’s to contribute toward the professional growth of the other members of the surgical team

To increase the visibility of the role of ST in the hospital and other institutions