Surgical Technologist Jobs in South Carolina

Job Summary

Allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care during cardiovascular, cardiothoracic, or vascular surgical procedures and other areas of the OR as needed. The surgical technologist works under the supervision of the registered nurse and medical staff to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and minimally invasive surgical procedures. This individual works to ensure that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: High School Education or Equivalent
Minimum Years of Experience: None. A surgical technician with no prior cardiovascular or vascular experience must demonstrate competency and be capable of taking call independently as a CVOR surgical technician in this specialty within 6 months.
Substitutable Education & Experience (Optional): None.
Required Certifications/Licensure: National Certification through NBSTSA. Other certifications acceptable based on HR Recruitment policy;

CPR certification for direct patient care givers.
Required Training: Completion of a recognized vocational or hospital based Operating Room Technician course or its equivalent;

Completes Yearly Safety Training – demonstrates safe practice related to the protection of self, patients, and coworkers;

Knowledgeable about sterilization methods for special equipment and instruments, necessary for specific surgical procedures;

Working knowledge of the composition of all cardiovascular surgical trays and specialty items used in all operating room procedures;

Demonstrated knowledge of the use, maintenance, and disposition of equipment.

Essential Functions

• Able to perform complex surgical procedures that require knowledge and experience of the cardiovascular system. The surgical technician will work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, and works under the direction of the surgeon for procedural related tasks.
• Assesses and anticipates needed supplies for scheduled and emergent procedures, the need for comfort and safety measures for individual patients, and anticipates the needs of the surgeon to expedite the procedure by passing instruments, sponges and sutures.
• Demonstrates competency in the utilization of emergency medical equipment.
• Prepares operating room according to a particular surgical procedure with the assistance of other personnel in accordance with procedures for disinfection of furniture and equipment.
• Exercises proper sterile technique, opens, and arranges sterile field in accordance with accepted protocol for each surgical procedure to be performed, both routine and special procedures.
• Selects and secures appropriate instruments, equipment, and supplies according to a particular surgical procedure.
• Utilizes equipment and supplies efficiently, charges for and assures replacement of medical & surgical supplies. Daily and periodically checks, restocks, and inventories supplies (checks, rotates dated items and reorders supplies as assigned or as needed for surgery and other procedures within their unit)
• Follows procedure for identifying instruments or equipment that needs service or repair.
• Assures that all items used are replaced in inventory, charged for and reported to the circulator of the case.
• Maintains a working knowledge of the composition of all cardiovascular or vascular surgical trays and specialty items used in all operating room procedures.
• Displays dexterity in the use of surgical instruments and knowledge of the step-by-step process for the specific surgical procedure.
• Assists in performing and documenting equipment, drug and environmental checks as required by administrative and unit specific policies and regulatory agencies.
• Follows appropriate Infection Control policies and procedures. Displays knowledge of use, care, decontamination, packaging, disposition and sterilization of instrumentation and supplies.
• Working with the circulating nurse and anesthesia personnel, assists in positioning the patient on the operating table, prepares and/or assists in the preparation of the operative site, drapes, or assists in draping the patient, at the request of the surgeon. When necessary, assists the anesthesiologist or anesthetist during administration of anesthetic.
• Under the direction of the surgeon performs such duties as holding retractors, suction, clamping vessels, and applying dressings, etc. Acts as a surgeon’s first or second assistant in the absence of the surgeon’s first assistant within their realm of practice (except suturing, injecting medications and cutting tissue).
• Upon completion of the surgery, assists in moving the patient off the operating table onto the stretcher and transporting to the recovery room.
• Assists in clearing the operating room for the next procedure including appropriate disposal of contaminated linen and waste, cleaning instruments when necessary and disinfecting equipment.
  

Duties & Responsibilities

• Participates in counts with the circulating nurse to assure that all counts are correct.
• Collaborates with the Associate Care Manager/Registered Nurse to continuously update the nursing plan of care and recommends interventions to meet identified patient goals.
• Evaluates and recommends updates to surgeon preference cards and notifies appropriate personnel of needed changes.
• Labels drugs on the field. Prepares labels and verifies specimens according to protocol and surgeons preference.
• Uses proper documentation related to sterilization procedures. Signs/verifies initials on instrument count sheet and signs preference list when pulling of case is completed.
• Precepts new staff and student populations sharing knowledge of procedures to enhance learning.
• Coordinating treatments and procedures to facilitate cost effective patient care.
• Collaborates with the appropriate HCTM’s for the acquisition of necessary supplies/equipment.
• Demonstrates accountability for patient care environment including the reporting of malfunctioning equipment, maintenance of instrumentation and matters of patient safety.
• Reports pertinent patient information to Associate Care Manager/Registered Nurse involved in patient care.
• Reads and initials new policies, procedures, meeting minutes and memos.
• Answers the telephone with appropriate telephone etiquette, takes and relays messages.
• Acts as a liaison to sterile processing and participates in Performance Improvement activities.
• Contributes to the development and revision of standards/policies as needs are identified.
• Identifies and utilizes information from monitors and research to effect changes in practice.
• Maintains a working knowledge of emergency protocol in the event of a disaster in the operating room, emergency procedure and surgical set-ups necessary to manage an emergency.
Performs all other duties as assigned.