Surgical Tech - Operating Room

Surgical Assistant

Assists with nursing care and the surgical services under the direct supervision of the registered nurse and physician/surgeon.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 30 days of hire.

3. Current licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse OR completion of internal WVUM Surg Tech Trainee program with at least 6 months in job OR completion of externally accredited Surgical Technology program OR completion of a Registered Nurse program OR two (2) years of previous scrub experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience: 1. Three (3) years prior scrub experience.

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Sets up for scheduled cases with needed supplies and instrumentation.

2. Assists in safe transport of patient to operating room and in proper positioning on OR table.

3. Adheres to national patient safety goals by confirming correctness of surgical site and procedure to be performed.

4. Follows steps of surgical scrubbing, proper donning of sterile gloves and gown; gowning and gloving surgeons and other personnel.

5. Assists in accounting procedure of instruments, sharps, and sponges, and other soft goods utilized during surgical procedures.

6. Identifies, prepares and correctly passes surgical instruments and sharps to and from surgeon.

7. Assists in cleanup of operating room: appropriately transport instruments, dispose of trash and linens, restocking supplies.

8. Assists surgeon/physician with endoscopic procedures: proper patient positioning, gloving, cleaning/disinfecting of endoscopes, use of personal protective equipment.

9. Assists in decontamination of surgical instrumentation.

10. Monitors function of autoclave for sterilization of instrumentation.

11. Safeguards patient privacy and maintains confidentiality.

12. Stocks Operating Room.

13. Assists RN/Physician as needed or directed.

For facilities with specialty accreditation requirements:

1. Completion of annual required education related to specialty accreditation as defined by accreditation standards. Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.

Physical Requirements:

1. Capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking.

2. Ability to lift up to 40-pounds and push/pull heavy loaded carts up to 200 lbs.

3. Possess visual, hearing, and oral acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability.

4. Ability to wear lead for extended periods of time.

Working Environment:

1. May be exposed to communicable diseases.

Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to follow strict sterile technique.

2. Ability to set up operating room with instruments and supplies for scheduled cases and pass to and from surgeon during procedures.

3. Knowledge of and adherence to strict aseptic and sterile techniques.