CVOR Surgical Technologist

General Summary of Position
Gathers and arranges sterile set-up for surgical procedures. Passes instruments and supplies to the operating team during surgical procedures applying aseptic techniques.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Checks daily room assignment and Operating Room (O.R.) schedule to ensure proper understanding of operating team requirements.
• Assists the nursing staff in opening O.R. Tests/verifies proper functioning of equipment and instrumentation prior to case as needed.
• Gathers equipment instruments and sterile materials required for surgical procedures according to the specific room operation and physician preference.
• Sets-up and counts instruments sponges and needles with nursing personnel prior to and after the surgery.
• Arranges and maintains a sterile field during surgical procedures following Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) standards/protocols.
• Assists the surgical team during the intraoperative phase by passing instruments sponges and sutures.
• Ensures medications on the sterile field are labeled and dispensed according to established policies and procedures.
• Returns unused supplies/equipment after surgical procedures ensures that surgical specimen are appropriately identified prior to removal from the sterile field.
• Performs inventory and restocks O.R. suites to appropriate par levels.
• Communicates changes in doctors preference requirements to supervisor.
• Attends to the comfort of the patient prior to start of surgery assists in positioning the patient for surgery and/or removing the patient from the O.R. to the Recovery Room.
• Assists in cleaning and closing the O.R.
• Assists in orientation and educational sessions for O.R. personnel.
• May serve as charge and/or resource person during the absence of the charge nurse; may assist in the coordination of related support staff and interact with the Sterile Processing department to ensure coverage/supplies as needed.
• Attends seminars and inservices to maintain certification.

Minimal Qualifications
Education

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Specialized and/or advanced clerical technical or other vocational training acquired during 1 - 2 years of additional job-related training such as graduation from an accredited school for Surgical Technologists required

Experience

• 0 to 3 years experience such as direct previous O.R. experience required

Licenses and Certifications

• CST - Certified Surgical Technologist (and registration) within four years of employment required
• Continuing employment is contingent upon the CST designation. Continuing Education Units must be maintained as required by certifying body.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• May require the use of specialized medical equipment (i.e. EEG EKG blood analyzer) or data processing equipment (i.e. tape drives consoles).