Surgical Technician

Job Title: Surgical Technician

Location: Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) at 2400 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119

Period of Performance: 3/1/25 -

Compensation: $16.92 per hour

Position Description: The Health Technician (Surgical) functions as an integral part of the surgical team. Works with the surgeon, anesthesiologist/anesthetist and registered nurse as a member of the direct patient care team, before, during and following surgical intervention for all general, urologic, otorhinolaryngological, ophthalmologic, orthopedic, plastics, neurosurgical, robotic surgeries and oral surgery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently reviews future surgery schedule daily to determine availability of specialized instruments, equipment, and implants.
• Sets up sterile field, ensuring completeness and accuracy of needed equipment, instruments and supplies and remains accountable for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.
• Assumes accountability to rotate through all surgical specialties to maintain current comprehensive knowledge of complex surgical procedures, ever-changing techniques and highly technical instrumentation.
• Notifies supervisor accountable for overseeing correctness of sets of deficiencies before surgical procedure starts.
• Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.
• Prepares surgical devices during procedures.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
• In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), the incumbent performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy.
• Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
• Receive tissue specimens and cultures for laboratory analysis and ensure circulating nurse receives correct information for labeling purposes.
• Perform surgical technician duties in accordance with comprehensive knowledge of and adherence to current medical center, departmental, VHA policies, The Joint Commission, and OSHA policies.
• Prepare and apply sterile dressings following procedure.
• Independently implement infection control standards as required in the current hospital and specific departmental infection control policies.

Requirements:

• Education:
  • High school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Completion of an accredited surgical technology program is strongly preferred.
• Licensure and Certification:
  • Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification is highly desirable.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of experience as a surgical technician in a hospital or clinical setting, preferably with experience across multiple surgical specialties.
  • Experience with robotic surgical systems and advanced surgical instrumentation is preferred.
• Skills and Knowledge:
  • Comprehensive knowledge of sterile techniques, surgical instrumentation, and procedures.
  • Familiarity with infection control standards, surgical protocols, and regulatory requirements (e.g., The Joint Commission, OSHA).
  • Ability to anticipate the needs of the surgical team and respond promptly during procedures.
  • Proficient in setting up and maintaining sterile fields, conducting instrument counts, and preparing surgical devices.
  • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills to manage equipment, instruments, and implants efficiently.