The Scrub Technician is responsible for assisting in nursing care and surgical services under the Registered Nurse’s supervision. Activities are based on accepted standards of the Operating Room practice and are performed within the scope of education, training, and experience. The Scrub Technician will work to provide excellent care to patients of all ages, from adolescents to geriatrics. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned. 

Review the Operating Room schedule to obtain as much patient information as possible 

Review doctor’s preference card; review surgeon’s preference list for special needs and keep preference list current 

Assist in collecting the necessary, and anticipated, instruments, supplies, and equipment for each procedure 

Open only those items required for the case; leave ‘hold’ items unopened, but readily accessible 

Anticipate, identify, prepare, and correctly pass surgical instruments to the surgeon 

Maintain pace to keep the surgery on schedule 

Connect, test, and perform safety checks on all electrical surgical equipment and monitors 

Decrease procedure time by demonstrating exemplary organization techniques 

Maintain adequate supplies and equipment assuring the OR is properly prepared prior to each case 

Identify specific problems and approaches that are individualized for each patient 

Scrub and set-up prior to patient entering the surgical suite 

Restock surgical suites to predetermined par levels by end of shift 

Assist in patient positioning as needed 

Review assignments no more than 5 minutes after the beginning of the shift, and prepare for cases and patients, and/or assigned duties immediately 

Assist in the turnover of the OR in preparation for the next case assigned to that room 

Clean and mop Operating Rooms between cases to aid in turnover time 

Deep clean assigned ORs and close down OR at end of shift 

Perform surgical hand scrub in accordance with established policy 

Adhere to policy on material counts, instrument counts, and documentation 

Handle specimens properly, and according to hospital policy 

Work collaboratively with the Registered Nurse and all colleagues regarding patient care needs 

Practice optimal aseptic techniques by performing the following: wear proper surgical attire and personal protective equipment (PPEs), demonstrate competency in using good hand washing techniques, maintain competency in isolation techniques according to policy and procedure, and limit conversations to a minimum 

Ensure optimal sterility by performing the following tasks: wipe down all surfaces in the OR with the appropriate disinfecting solution; inspect sterile items for proper packaging, processing, seal, integrity, and expiration date prior to use and before presentation to the sterile field; demonstrate competency in opening, dispensing, and transferring sterile items by methods that maintain sterility and integrity; maintain continual awareness of areas considered sterile and areas considered unsterile; and discard items of doubtful sterility immediately, notifying the circulating nurse in a timely manner 

Keep instruments free of gross soil during the surgical procedures 

Arrange dirty instruments appropriately in mesh bottom trays before transporting to the Sterile Processing Department 

Open instrument box locks and/or stings 

Disassemble instruments with removable parts 

Position scissors, lightweight instruments, and microsurgical instruments on top 

Position heavy retractors and/or heavy instruments in the bottom of tray 

Separate all reusable sharp instruments from the general instrumentation 

Decontaminate, dry, and store all scopes and cameras properly 

Clean equipment with approved hospital solution before and after use 

Pull/remove and notify the appropriate person of broken or dull instruments 

Demonstrate competency in processing instruments using prevac/gravity sterilization and Steris System One 

Complete laser training and maintain competency in order to effectively and safely operate laser machines when assigned. 

Continuously monitor all sterile areas and report break in aseptic technique immediately to Registered Nurse. 

Demonstrate competency when practicing proper gowning, gloving, and draping, ensuring a well-defined margin of safety for the patient. 

Demonstrate competency in cleaning reusable items 

Restock supplies as needed and notify the appropriate personnel of shortages 

Demonstrate competency in the operation of washer/disinfector by correctly preparing and loading items according to instruction, using the appropriate washing/rinsing agents, and following all directions for the operation of the equipment through all cycles 

Determine the appropriate method to be used to care for instruments, especially in the removal of protein and corrosion, and in sorting for repair 

Accurately log all items received in the DECON Area (OR Instrument/Equipment Log Book) 

Demonstrate competency in cleaning/decontaminating the fiber optic endoscope 

Demonstrate the ability to set up suctions for proper cleaning technique in adherence with the hospital’s protocol when disposing of suction liners and fluids 

Report and document any missing or broken tray items and instruments 

Meet all quality assurance needs by adherence to sterilization record policies and procedures 

Perform and read the test results of the sterilization indicators in terms of: making the Bowie-Dick test pack and placement in the sterilizer, placement of biological indicators in the test packs, incubation of biological monitors in the department/lab, reading the results of the Bowie-Dick and biological monitors, placement and reading of chemical indicators, and cleaning of incubators 

Utilize proper loading techniques in terms of position of test pack in sterilizer, positioning of large instrument sets, basins, peel packs, etc., in the sterilizer to allow for maximum steam sterilization, paying careful attention to the tilting of items loaded to allow for maximum drainage and drying 

Demonstrate knowledge of the functional operation of the sterilizers in terms of: selection of cycle, temperature selection, sterilizing time selection, drying time selection, and the closing and opening of the door at the beginning and end of the cycle 

Be able to shut down and clean the sterilizer according to instructions regarding the solution used, cleaning of traps, cleaning of the gasket, cleaning of the carts, and turning on the sterilizer 

Change and date charts daily, signing/initialing any changes made; read charts to review functioning of sterilizers 

Attend required hospital-wide orientations, staff meetings, meetings, and in-services 

Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care 

 

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

Education and Experience  

Minimum Required Education: High school diploma or equivalency. 

Preferred Education: Not applicable 

Experience: One (1) or more years in an inpatient hospital setting 

 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations  

Must have active unexpired BLS certification.