Surgical Technologist - Duke University Health System

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Surgical Technologists are eligible for a $10,000 Commitment Bonus.

Relocation Assistance is also available!

Locations:

• Duke University Hospital
• Davis Ambulatory Surgery Center

General Description

• Surgical Technologists (ST) are allied health professionals who assist in preparing and caring for surgical patients ranging from infancy to geriatrics under the general direction of a professional nurse. The ST possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a surgeon's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• The ST has a dual function in the operating room and the ambulatory setting. In the ambulatory surgical clinic, the ST demonstrates competency in the care of surgical patients preoperatively and postoperatively.

Duties and Responsibilities

Level I - New graduate with up to 18 months of full-time equivalent experience.

• Perform all responsibilities in a manner that demonstrates Service Excellence towards patients, physicians, peers, and other departments. Assume responsibility for upholding the policies and procedures of the department and organization.
• Demonstrates eagerness to learn, takes direction, adapts to changes within the unit, and demonstrates consistent progress toward Level II.
• Establishes and maintains a sterile field and assures the team maintains a sterile environment. Demonstrate and practice a good understanding of sterile technique.
• Has a basic knowledge of instrumentation. Prepare the Operating Room with appropriate instrumentation, equipment, and supplies.
• Demonstrates correct and safe instrumentation passing and performs sponge, needle, and instrument counts safely and accurately.
• Maintain technical skills to serve a patient population ranging from infancy to geriatric clients.
• Take calls and rotate shifts as required under the direction of a registered nurse.
• For Surgical Technologists with a dual role in an ambulatory environment, additional responsibilities may include: prepare patients for examinations and procedures in the surgical clinic setting; assist the physician during patient examination and procedures in the clinic; collect and label laboratory specimens for processing; reinforce postoperative instructions under direction of physician or RN; assist with incoming and outgoing patient calls under supervision of physician or RN; remove sutures/ staples, change sterile and non-sterile dressings, following DUHS policies and procedures, under direction of RN or physician; perform other clinical functions as delegated and supervised by the RN or physician; schedule and post surgical cases; coordinate complex scheduling of cases which require additional surgical support; update and file patient medical records.
• Must advance to level II within 18 months.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.
   

Level II - Perform all the duties and responsibilities of Level I, plus the following:

• Assist with the teaching of newly hired technologists and student technologists.
• Serve as a role model to new employees and other staff members.
• Establish and maintain a sterile field and ensure the team maintains a sterile environment independently.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team.
• Apply basic knowledge of instrumentation to several cases.
• Demonstrate appropriate and correct case preparation.
• Competent at the unit level.
• Corrects deficiencies at the case level.
• Communicate effectively with patients, staff members, and physicians.
• Adherence to standards includes unit and hospital policies and procedures, regulatory standards, and patient safety goals.
• Assume responsibility for self and ensure that the Operating Room and Hospital's policies, procedures, and safety practices are reinforced.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.
   

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology program or maintains an accredited Surgical Technologist certification (NCCT or NBSTSA). 
• Or, provides evidence of the successful completion of an appropriate training program for Surgical Technology in the United States Military.
   

Experience

• Level I- Entry-level position for new graduates of a Surgical Technology program or Surgical Technologists with 0 to 18 months of experience.
• Level II- Requires 6 to 12 months of full-time equivalent Surgical Technology or relevant military experience.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Level I- BLS required.
• Level II- BLS required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to adapt to changes within unit.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure in a stressful environment, and often without relief.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of anatomy relating to the surgical procedure and the instrumentation required in order to effectively anticipate the needs of the surgeon.
• Ability to set priorities and respond appropriately to actual and/or potential life threatening situations.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.