Operating Room Surgical Technician

Location:

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center 

109 Bee St, Charleston, SC 29401

About VAMC:

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is a tertiary care teaching hospital providing the highest level quality for more than 75,000 Veterans along the South Carolina and Georgia coast. The Ralph H. Johnson VA is rated is the second fastest growing VA in the U.S. for percentage patient growth. For the past three years, the Charleston VA has been rated a 5-Star medical center for quality and efficiency, the highest possible rating according to VA's Strategic Analytics.

Job Description:

Operating Room Surgical Technician: The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. He/she will be expected to assist in all areas of the Operating Room for the following services: Open Heart, General, Vascular, Cardiac, Thoracic, Orthopedic, Neurologic, Ear. Nose, and Throat (ENT), Ophthalmic (EYE), Urologic (GU), Oral, Plastic, Gynecological (GYN), Robotics, and Podiatric.

The Contract Surgical Technician Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures. Physicians and ancillary services to provide this care.

• The Surgical Technician shall have at least two years of current experience in an operating room setting exclusive of agency assignments and must have worked within the last six months in the above settings.
• The Surgical Technician sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment.
• The Surgical Technician plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
• The Surgical Technician prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups.
• Participating in official time out with surgical team and ensures correct site, correct procedure, correct laterality, correct patient, position and all testing results are in place, including lab and radiology results; verifies sterility and dates of implants per VHA Directive
• The Surgical Technician observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
• The Surgical Technician will provide emotional support and comfort measures specific for each patient to alleviate concerns and fears.
• The Surgical Technician provides age specific care for adult and geriatric Veteran population.
• The Surgical Technician anticipates emergencies, coordinates prevention, and help initiate actions during emergency situations including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• The Surgical Technician assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.
• The Surgical Technician demonstrates knowledge of technical skills to meet the needs of specific patient populations, assists and provides support during the most complex and involved surgical procedures.
• The Surgical Technician utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• The Surgical Technician communicates and collaborates with members of the surgical team to include the perioperative registered nurse, staff surgeon, surgical residents, anesthesia providers and other ancillary staff to achieve positive patient outcomes.
• The Surgical Technician communicates a thorough and detailed report of the patient, including verifying correctness of all counts, medications on the sterile field, equipment, and implants in use/projected for use, to relief personnel. Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.
• The Surgical Technician collaborates in conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN) to develop and implement a surgical procedure plan of care to assure that all necessary surgical supplies, instruments, and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
• The Surgical Technician assumes responsibility as service coordinator (or co-coordinator) for open heart surgical services; duties include but not limited to maintaining instrument tray count sheets and physician preference cards, maintaining existing and ordering new instruments, equipment, and supplies.
• The Surgical Technician must be able/willing to withstand long periods of continuous standing, walking, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing while working. Transferring objects and patients may be required.
• The Surgical Technician may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials, maybe required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, maybe exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders requiring an individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and must be able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
• The Surgical Technician functions as a runner for complex surgical procedures under the direct supervision of an RN.
• The Surgical Technician assists the circulating nurse with veteran care during each phase of perioperative interventions, such as gathering equipment and supplies, opening sterile items, setting up the surgical field, veteran transferring and positioning, providing comfort measures, monitoring and maintaining sterility pre- and intra-operatively, staying inside the OR from the time of sterile field set-up to the time of veteran transfer out of the OR to ensure the integrity of the sterile environment, and participating in veteran care activities related to induction of and emerging from anesthesia.
• The Surgical Technician shall follow proper procedures for the set – up, use, reprocessing, and maintenance of reusable medical equipment (RME) based on manufacturer’s instructions.
• The Surgical Technician Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions.
• The Surgical Technician assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students, and new Operating Room (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures.
• The Surgical Technician monitors sterile field, equipment, and traffic flow through the OR suite.
• The Surgical Technician assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.
• The Surgical Technician Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses.
• The Surgical Technician may be required to work with COVID-19 positive patients and Patients Under Investigation (PUI), for COVID-19.
• The Surgical Technician assigned to the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC in Charleston, SC shall be expected to work 10-hour shifts with alternating day off, take call, and stay for late cases.