Operating Room Surgical Tech - Scrub, Prep & Protect

The O.R. Surgical Technologist is responsible for preparing and maintaining the sterile environment in the operating room, assisting the surgical team during procedures, and ensuring all necessary instruments and supplies are available and sterile. This role involves passing instruments to surgeons, assisting with draping the patient, and providing support to the surgical team in the sterile field. The Surgical Technologist is also responsible for cleaning and sterilizing instruments post-procedure, ensuring proper documentation of the surgical process, and maintaining inventory of surgical supplies.

They work closely with surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure efficient and safe surgical procedures and contribute to a smooth operating room environment.

Key Responsibilities

Function as a scrub person during invasive procedures

Protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources.

Demonstrating safe operating of equipment and machinery and follows procedures for reporting and correcting an unsafe situation.

Performing accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items.

Speaking up about safety concerns acting as the patient’s advocate.

Handling specimens according to facility policy and procedure

Adhering to standard precautions including the use of personal protective equipment.

Performing interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels.

Performing interventions to protect the patient from procedure site infection.

Assembling supplies and equipment required for the procedure.

Preparing and organizing sterile supplies and instruments for the procedure.

Providing instruments and supplies to the surgical team during the procedure.

Protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy.

Providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice.

Maintaining a fire safe environment.

Practicing and monitoring aseptic techniques.

Complying with Universal Protocol and facility site validation and time-out policy.

Maintain radiation safety at all times in accordance with facility policies and procedures.

Prepare surgical instruments for processing and transport them to the decontamination areas (when applicable).

Evaluate the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes.

Provide hand-off reports to other teammates that are accurate, concise, and pertinent to the patient’s condition and response to care.

Document episode of care accurately, timely, completely, and legibly.

Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills with members of the perioperative team and other stakeholders.

Assist with post procedure cleaning of the procedure room and preparation of room for subsequent patients.

Serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team in planning perioperative patient care.

Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects

Use problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships.

Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.

Comply with all facility policies and procedures, regulatory and accreditation standards and professional guidelines when providing patient care.

Actively participate in team meetings, trainings, and daily safety huddles.

Demonstrate fiscal responsibility

Perform all other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions/

Physical Requirements:

Physically demanding, high-stress environment

Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions

Pushing and pulling heavy objects

Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients and equipment

Hand eye coordination

Standing and walking for extensive periods of time

Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 lbs

Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range

Working irregular hours

Our Values:

We expect all teammates to uphold our core values—Excellence, Compassion, Diversity, Innovation, Integrity, and Evidence-Based Decision Making—in every aspect of their work. These principles guide…