Surgical Technologist | Heart Surgery

Overview

The Surgical Tech OH provides surgical assistance pre and post operation. Organizes and prepares supplies and equipment for procedures. Sets up the operating surgeon’s sterile field and anticipates surgeon's needs. Provides direct assistance during surgical procedures including assisting with surgical gowns and gloves, handing instruments to the surgeon, preparing sterile dressings, and cleaning surgical instruments and the operating room after surgery.

• Opens sterile supplies to field without contamination after verifying sterile indicator and dates. Receives supplies from circulator using proper technique. Verifies dates on fluids, medication, and other applicable items.
• Provides equipment and supplies based on patient need, anticipates surgeon’s needs as surgery progresses, prepares instruments quickly and efficiently with regard to sequence of use, ensures all instruments and equipment are available and in good working order for each case.
• Prepares Mayo setup: selects appropriate instruments for procedure, uses care with sharps when passing to surgeon (hands free method when possible), maintains suture ties in an easily accessible manner, prevents free sharps on Mayo.
• Performs proper specimen handling: all specimens are handled according to lab guidelines, verifies tissue identification and desired request, never discards any tissue sample unless approved by the surgeon; observes universal precautions and utilizes appropriate PPE.
• Prepares back table set-up: maintains adequate count of all countable items on sterile field; never accepts items which are not x-ray detectable before skin closure; maintains order so that relief can assume role when necessary.
• Follows established protocol for obtaining, charging for, and returning supplies/equipment and maintains adequate supply levels through accurate inventory control.
• Prepares and assists with placement of perfusion assist devices such as Intra‑Aortic Balloon Pump and Impella.
• Assists surgeon with preparing patient for heart and lung bypass machine.
• Collaborates with SPD coordinator to ensure adequate instrumentation for all open heart specialty cases.
• Organizes and coordinates with hybrid OR staff to provide care and access on designated structural heart cases, gathers and prepares all emergency supplies and equipment needed to convert to open procedure in the hybrid OR as indicated.
• Assists in procedure specific wound closure under direct supervision of the surgeon.
• All other duties as assigned by department.

• Graduate Accredited Surgical Tech Program

• 3 to 5 years Surgical Tech experience in a hospital setting
• 2‑year Open Heart and Vascular Surgical Tech experience

Withstand stressful situations and be flexible within daily work assignments. Good organizational skills; must have the ability and desire to promote good interpersonal relationships.

• Basic Life Support (BLS)

Surgical Technician Certification preferred. Wound Closure Course Certificate preferred.

Post‑Employment: BLS, provided by American Heart Association (AHA), required within 30 days of hire.