Orthopedic Surgery Technician

SUMMARY

Provide support for surgical procedures ranging from routine orthopedic to complicated/trauma cases. Exercise the universal precautions set forth by the Centers for Disease Control when providing direct patient care and/or indirect patient care involving possible exposure to contaminated items at the 10 MDG.

• Record designated data on patient log and document appropriate information on intra-operative nursing notes.

• Responsible for aseptic technique maintenance during the process of preparing for and assisting in the surgical procedure.

• Select, assemble, and organize required supplies, equipment, and instruments for specific surgical procedures in accordance with operative work sheets, physician preference cards and/or conferring with physician or nurse in charge of surgical procedure(s).

• Hand instruments correctly in the position of use to the surgeon during the procedure, anticipating the surgeon’s needs.

• Clean operating room before, during and after surgery; remove and dispose of soiled and/or contaminated materials in accordance with 10th Medical Group policy; change linen.

• Replenish sterile packs and general supplies and restock shelves at the end of the schedule surgery day, from MTF Medical Logistics Office.

• Set up instruments, supplies, and equipment for specialized procedures. Assist provider during surgical and diagnostic procedures. Assemble, operate, and maintain diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. Order diagnostic, laboratory and radiographic procedures as directed. Accomplish cleaning and decontamination procedures (patient/exam rooms and instruments/equipment).

• Transport patients to the Operating Room (OR) assuring safe transportation of the patient. Screen patients prior to transport for drug allergies and sensitivities. Ensure preoperative medication has been given, and that jewelry, dentures and any prosthetic devices have been removed. Check patient chart and identification band for completeness and comfort patients fearing surgery.

• Position or assist in positioning patients and draping the patients for the specific procedures.

• Follow preoperative nursing care plan in preparing patients in the OR, required to shave/prep operative sites/areas.

• Select, assemble, and organize required supplies, equipment, and instruments for specific surgical procedures in accordance with operative work sheets, physician preference cards and/or conferring with physician or nurse in charge of surgical procedure(s).

• Maintain alertness for complications developing during surgery such as hemorrhage, shock and cardiac arrest and immediately supply instruments, drugs and supplies to correct the conditions.

• Perform sponge, instrument, and sharp counts, and notify physician of any discrepancies, measure blood and fluid loss.

• Assist with application of dressing.

• Obtain sterile supplies, suture materials, instruments, equipment, linens, etc., from MTF Medical Logistics Office, for the surgical procedures in accordance with and reference to the work sheets and physician preference cards and/or conferring with physician or nurse in charge of surgical procedure (s), open instruments sets. Pour solutions using aseptic technique. Set up and adjust equipment such as electric coagulator, electric bone saw and drill.
  
  Operate microscopes, air power drills, defibrillators, and resuscitators. Make suction connections and adjust operating lights.

• Assist anesthetist during induction and throughout surgical procedures.

• Obtain supplies needed during surgery such as blood, drugs (under registered nurse supervision), solutions, instruments, and additional sterile supplies.

• Prepare specimens for laboratory; properly label specimens, record information in specimen book and take specimens to the laboratory.

• Set up and perform safety checks to ensure all equipment is properly functioning before any surgical procedure (s).

• Provide chaperone service, patient, and chart screening (checking patient vital signs — blood pressure, pulse, and temperatures), ensure appropriate forms are filled out, signed, and completed, escort patients to appropriate clinical/testing areas within the MTF.

• Check patients in…