Health Technician (Surgical Tech)

The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgeon and registered nurse. A surgical technician possesses expertise in theory application of sterile and aseptic techniques 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. Major duties include, but are not limited to: * These guidelines list the major duties but are not all inclusive of the functions the OR Surgical Technician will be expected to perform. The Surgical Technician provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members in designated areas and OR suite and surgical clinic. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in his or her assigned services area. * Transports patients pre-operatively and post-operatively and procedures needed supplies, drugs, blood, reports and equipment. * Functions as a primary scrub person on all surgical procedures, handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as thoracic, vascular, orthopedic, EENT, etc. Under supervision of the RN, assists in circulating functions, performing instrument and sponge counts and accounting for surgical instruments and equipment during surgical procedures. Gathers and communicates technical data to the RN. * Participates in the preoperative role by evaluating the needs of the surgical patient and assisting in patient positioning and preparation of specialized support equipment that is necessary for the most complex surgical procedures. Anticipates, recognizes and resolves the unfamiliar situations or deviations from standard protocol, policies, procedures and completed informed consent, availability of specific equipment. * Actively participates with the RN in developing a plan to meet the needs and expectations of the various surgical teams. Demonstrates self-composure and effective interpersonal skills, when relating/communicating with diverse personalities, difficult situations. Plans and discusses surgical procedures with the surgical team and ensures all needed supplies and equipment are available. * Practices principles of sterile technique, preparing instrumentations independently and with direct supervision, utilizing aseptic technique, maintaining a sterile field intraoperatively. May be responsible in training aseptic techniques to other service technicians. * Provides basic nursing care for patients undergoing procedures while maintaining patients privacy. * Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples and cutting sutures. Prepares prostheses and surgical devices during procedures. * Anticipates, detects and responds to deviation from normal in the patients, which can result in an emergent situation. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. * Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, surgical technology students, and new OR staff in operating equipment, sterile technique, handling instruments, and OR procedures (including the scrub role in surgical procedures).Also provides guidance and support to students and other surgical technicians. * Identifies, initiates and implements new preference cards/new case cart systems, working independently with SPD, following policy, when new procedures are preformed personnel are able to project possible equipment, specialty instruments that might be utilized and are able to assimilate that knowledge and set up case carts, which entails identifying expendable soft goods, instrument sets, technological support. * Maintain established competencies for area of assignment. Actively participates in and promotes education opportunities for the service. Initiates and implements in-services related to inter-service needs with the OR collaborates with SPD/GU/Ortho techs. * Identifies and actively participates in departmental programs for cost containment and risk management. Initiates, reviews and updates supply levels, evaluating and adjusting as needed. * Communicates and interacts appropriately with adult and geriatric patients and visitors and displays courteous, compassionate, caring, and respectful behavior when interacting with all others (staff, students, etc.) Also has access to printed and electronic files containing so sensitive data which has been protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statues and policies, and VHA. The incumbent is responsible for protecting that data from unauthorized release or loss, alteration, or deletion and to follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files as set out in c computer agreement the employee has signed. * Utilizes the computer on a daily basis for various functions, reading and sending mailman messages, requesting leave, entering appropriate patients information. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm and on call after hours, weekends, holidays. Telework: This position not authorized for telework. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Surgical Tech)/PD01185A

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