Summary

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 Surgical 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.

Planning: Review the Operating Room schedule to obtain as much patient information as possible Check doctor’s preference card and assist in keeping preference list current Assist in collecting the necessary and anticipated instruments, supplies, and equipment for each procedure. Connect, test, and perform safety checks on all electrical surgical equipment and monitors prior to patients entering the surgical suite. 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. Restock surgical suites to predetermined par levels by the end of the shift, and notify the appropriate personnel of shortages. Assist in patient positioning as needed. Check assignments no more than 5 minutes after the beginning of the shift, and prepare for cases, patients, and/or assigned duties immediately. Prioritizes and organizes work in such a manner as to achieve maximum efficiency. Demonstrates the ability to work efficiently, with a high level of productivity and completes assignments within departmental time restraints. 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 the end of shift. Scrub Functions: Perform surgical hand scrub in accordance with established policy. 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. Decrease procedure time by demonstrating exemplary organization techniques. Scrub and assess set-up prior to patient entering the surgical suite. Achieves workable organizational techniques; keeps Mayo stand, backtable, floor and operative field as clean and dry as procedure permits. Adheres to policy on material counts, instrument counts, and documentation. Handles specimens properly according to policy. Works collaboratively with the Registered Nurse regarding patient care needs. Complete laser training and maintain competency in order to effectively and safely operate laser machines when assigned. Aseptic Technique: Practice optimal aseptic techniques by performing the following: wearing proper surgical attire and personal protective equipment (PPEs), demonstrating competency in using good hand washing techniques, maintaining competency in isolation techniques according to policy and procedure, and limiting 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 an 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. Discard items of doubtful sterility immediately, notifying the circulating nurse in a timely manner. Continuously monitors all sterile areas and reports break in aseptic technique immediately to the Registered Nurse. Demonstrates competency when practicing proper gowning, gloving, and draping, providing a well-defined margin of safety for the patient. Instrument Care Keep instruments free of gross soil during the surgical procedures. Arrange dirty instruments appropriately in mesh bottom trays before transporting to SPD. Open instrument lock box and/or strings. 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 the tray. Separate all reusable sharp instruments from the general instrumentation. Place all scopes and cameras in instruments trays properly. Clean equipment with approved hospital solution before and after use. Pull/remove and notify the appropriate person of broken or dull instruments, as well as missing instruments and tray items. Demonstrate competency in cleaning reusable items. Sterile Processing Be able to read the test results of the sterilization indicators. Demonstrates by explanation of the functional operation of the sterilizers in terms of time, temperature, pressure, contact, and humidity. Effective Work Behaviors Demonstrates adherence to safety policies and procedures and assists coworkers in compliance to them. Demonstrates adherence to Human Resources Policies and Procedures, Departmental Policies and Procedures and other relevant Organizational Policies and Procedures. Keeps up to date on all policy and procedure changes. Uses equipment in accordance with all Policy and Procedures. Assesses safety of all equipment used and reports malfunctions to the appropriate person. Demonstrates and understanding of the costs of resources used in the department’s operation.  Conserves organizational resources. Shares suggestions concerning efficient and effective use of all equipment and/or resources used within their designated department. Promptly reports problems and concerns to the Charge Person. Documents thoroughly and accurately all observations concerning patients and records them in a timely manner. Adapts well to a change in the work environment. The quality of the work performed is professional, accurate and thorough. Is adaptable, dependable, and accountable for completion of all assigned tasks. Manages and difficult or interpersonal situation that arises in a professional and ethical manner. Demonstrates use of effective problem-solving methods (i.e. plan, study, act) by using creative and innovative thinking in problem solving and takes the initiative to solve the problem independently. Customer Service Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care. Displays and utilizes good verbal, non-verbal, and written communication, comprehending pertinent issues. Displays courtesy (respect to others) and sensitivity when interacting with customers in the adherence of the hospital’s philosophy and policy for promoting a positive work and customer environment. Ensures the customer’s needs are met by carefully listening to concerns and by utilizing the nursing process to evaluate their needs. Promotes teamwork with team members and personnel from other departments. Displays objectivity and openness to others. Provides and accepts feedback with an open mind. Contributes to building team spirit on a continual bases, and puts the success of the team ahead of own interests. Uses professional and positive communication skills with all customers. Performs all other duties as assigned.

 

 

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education:  High school diploma or equivalent and successful completion of an accredited Surgical Technology program.

Preferred Education:  N/A

Experience:  1 year in an inpatient hospital setting. 2 years preferred.

 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Applicants must be BLS certified.