Surgical Technician, Surgery

JOB SUMMARY

The Main Unit Surgical Technician at North Mississippi Health Services demands mastery in handling and maintaining surgical instruments and equipment, ensuring they are sterile and ready for use. The technician is responsible for preparing surgical procedures by selecting supplies, instruments, and equipment, performing surgical counts, maintaining sterile techniques, assisting surgeons during procedures, and decontaminating clinical equipment. This role requires a diverse set of skills and abilities to effectively support trauma surgeons and medical teams during critical procedures, ability to think and act swiftly in high-pressure situations, understanding of trauma care protocols and procedures, and the capacity to remain calm and composed in stressful and emotionally charged environments.

• Mastery in handling and maintaining surgical instruments and equipment, ensuring they are sterile and ready for use.
• Uses procedure preference lists.
• Selects and arranges supplies, instruments and equipment for surgical procedures.
• Performs surgical counts with RN circulator—sponge, needle, and instrument counts as specified by hospital policies.
• Acts swiftly in high-pressure situations, making crucial decisions to support the surgical team.
• Monitors patient vitals and surgical procedures, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
• Restocks supplies.
• Decontaminates, cleans, and sterilizes instruments for reuse per hospital policy.
• Prepares and organizes the operating room suite for next use.
• Remains calm and composed in stressful and emotionally charged environments.
• Assists surgeons by performing duties under RN supervision, including specimen care until turned over to the RN.
• Required to provide specialty/trauma call and work specified holidays as needed for 24/7 coverage based on the assigned department.

• Protects patients from potential injury and contamination of the sterile field.

• Strong communication and teamwork skills to coordinate effectively with surgeons, nurses, and other medical staff.

• Attends required in-services, annual review, and educational programs.
• Understanding of trauma care protocols and procedures to assist in efficient treatment of patients as needed.

• Knowledge and practice of standards of care, policies, and procedures established by North Mississippi Medical Center.

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent – Required.
• Associate’s Degree in an accredited school of Surgical Technology or 1 year of experience in lieu of certification – Preferred.

• CST – Certified Surgical Technologist – Preferred.
• CPR (American Heart Association CPR certification at HCP Level) – Required.

• Less than 1 year – Required.
• 1–3 years – Preferred.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication – Required.
• Interaction with a patient population of all ages, from young adults to geriatrics – Required.
• Assists surgeon as a “scrubbed” member of the operating team – Required.
• Integrity – Required.
• Trusted to provide sterile supplies and quality patient care during surgical procedures – Required.
• Function independently as well as within a group setting – Required.
• Detail-oriented – Required.
• Extensive contact with surgeon(s), nurse practitioners, nurses, surgical team members, and patients – Required.
• Positive, caring attitude toward clients, patients, staff, and the public we serve – Required.
• Ability to work well under pressure while providing a high level of care – Required.