Surgical Technologist, Bangor, Maine
Care of Patients
- Maintains safe environment for patients during their peri-operative experience.
- Demonstrates knowledge of SVH policies/procedures regarding aseptic technique, counts and safety.
- Adheres to strict aseptic principles.
- Does initial count and documents according to SVH policy.
- Keeps accurate track of instruments, sponges and sharps.
- Demonstrates knowledge of all equipment used during the procedure.
- Reports any suspected or actual malfunctioning, abuse, or loss of equipment to the circulator or charge nurse immediately.
- Assists with the positioning of patients.
- Provides care by assisting the Surgical Team under the direct supervision of the RN.
- Arranges instrumentation, equipment and supplies in a n orderly fashion that allows for their access and availability during the surgical procedure.
- Assists and anticipates surgeons' needs related to instruments, sutures, supplies according to technique, procedure, and special requirements.
- Handles all specimens according to SVH policies.
- Uses preference cards to ensure all equipment and supplies are available.
- Updates preference cards as necessary.
- Assists in the application of casts and dressings as requested.
- Assists in moving the patient as directed.
- Works with team to clean, restock and prepare the OR for the next case or terminal cleaning.
- Assists in special procedures, which includes assisting provider during endoscopy to high-level disinfection of scopes.
II. Patient and family education.
- Delivers age specific care appropriate to the surgical patient.
- Documents education provided according to policy.
III. Environment of care
- Maintains a clean, neat, and safe environment for patient and staff according to unit and hospital policies.
- Insures that supplies and equipment necessary for patient care are stored in an organized fashion.
- Demonstrates correct and safe use of equipment according to specific product information and procedure manuals.
- Follows appropriate procedure for obtaining and returning/cleaning or disposing of equipment and supplies.
- Promptly reports malfunctioning equipment, removing it from service and tagging it appropriately.
- Assists other team members in returning equipment to its proper location.
- Performs specific cleaning tasks as assigned.
IV. Performance Improvement
- Performance improvement indicators are at or above established thresholds.
- Participates in units specific and Hospital wide performance improvement initiates.
- Responds to and report's conditions that require an improvement in performance and /or process.
V. Staff and Self Development
- Completes yearly hospital in services.
- Is able to access all SVH policies (on line and hard copy)
- Reads e-mail in a timely and regular manner.
- Is in compliance with all Sebasticook Valley Health's Human Resources policies and procedures.
- Meets with the director of Peri-Operative Services to review goals \objectives. Submit goals in writing for the year and provides documentation of outcomes.
- Develops and maintains unit's specific addendum for competency based orientation.
VI. Leadership and working relationships
- Supports change within Sebasticook Valley Health.
- Maintains a positive relationship with all members of the Healthcare team.
- Orients new staff to unit.
- Orients new staff to specific specialty.
- Identifies the need for change.
VII. Technologist Responsibilities
- Assists and performs required functions in Central Sterile Services. Required functions include:
- a. Decontaminates reusable instruments and equipment.
- Receives, cleans, and decontaminates soiled instruments using detergents, disinfecting solutions in conjunction with washer sterilizers/disinfectors and flash sterilizers.
- Disassembles sorts and inspects instruments as necessary. Must know which items require disassembly and which do not.
- Knows the proper cleaning technique for each type of equipment to ensure proper decontamination and avoid damage to the equipment.
- Utilizes proper decontamination personal protective equipment and techniques.
- Preparation of instruments and equipment
- Inspects and tests surgical instruments for proper function
- Promptly reports malfunctioning equipment and removes from service with appropriate tag.
- Knows the name and general use of surgical instruments and which instruments are critical to specific surgical procedures
- Assembles surgical instrument sets, items and trays following procedures for completeness, correct arrangement and proper sterilization.
- Correctly operates pre-vac and gravity steam sterilizers, washer-sterilizers, incubators and alarms.
- Understands principles of sterilization and knows sterilization parameters for each method of sterilization.
- Follows appropriate procedures for mechanical, chemical and biological monitoring, and maintains records and or graphs for sterilization and decontamination.
- Distribution
- Ensures that supplies and equipment are stored in an organized and efficient manner
- Delivers items to other departments.
- Responds quickly to the unanticipated needs of the OR and other departments served.
- Care of the Environment
- Maintains a clean, neat and safe environment for staff according to hospital and unit policy.
- Ensures that daily cleaning requirements and other tasks are completed in a safe and timely manner.
- Maintains cleanliness of sterilizers, washer sterilizers, and storage spaces according to policy.
- Ensures that supplies and equipment are stored in an organized and efficient manner.
- Demonstrates correct and safe technique in the use of equipment according to specific product information and policy and procedure manual.
- Demonstrates awareness to use supplies appropriately and to reduce waste.
- Performs "core" duties as needed.
- All duties are undertaken and performed in a manner consistent with hospital policy and procedure.
- Demonstrates flexibility in performing assignments to meet patient and staff needs.
- Orders supplies, generates POs maintains PAR levels, enters charges & works with vendors
- Safety
- Maintain a safe environment which includes knowing and understanding hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
- Report and directly address identified environmental hazards when appropriate.
- Report and directly address violations of patient safety policy and/or protocol when involved or observed.
VIII. Hospital Wide Competencies
- Customer Focus
- Team Orientation
- Commitment to Quality
- Critical Thinking Ability
- Flexibility, Embraces Change
- Communication Skills
- Corporate Compliance (Includes patient rights and confidentiality)
- Safe Work Practices (Includes patient safety)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Education: Certification preferred at time of hire, approved by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation. Maintains certification of OR Technician, if applicable.
- Experience: Experience as a Surgical Technician.
- Training: BLS Certification.
- Licensure: Certification of Surgical Technician required within six months of hire.