Surgical Technologist
Independence Health System Careers**$15,000 Sign-On Bonus Available and Student Debt Program for outstanding school loans**
Job Summary/Overall Objectives
The Surgical Technologist I assist with surgical procedures in the Operating Room as a scrub member of the surgical team under the direction of a registered nurse and a surgeon.
Essential Job Functions
- Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital/departmental policies, procedures, protocols and other professional standards of care.
- Works directly with the RN to develop and implement an individualized, age-specific plan of care and evaluate its effectiveness.
- Assists the RN in reassessment of the patient's condition and takes appropriate action as indicated or by unit specific policy.
- Involve the patient/family and other health care providers when appropriate.
- Completes patient care related activities within schedule time periods.
- Complies with completeness, accuracy and timeliness of documentation on O.R. Count Sheet as well as Surgical Site Identification/Verification Checklist.
- Maintains a collaborative relationship with physicians and other health care providers to achieve desired patient outcomes and assure a continuous flow of patient care.
- Communicates pertinent information for interdisciplinary patient care conferences, shift reports.
- Reports changes in the OR schedule, including the need to reassess the needs of the physicians or the OR staff, confer with the OR CNC when there is a need to alert the physician.
- Participate in the performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer services.
- Assists in data collection process as requested.
- Recommend modifications for performance improvement.
- Demonstrates leadership abilities by utilizing the concepts inherent to the practice of the credo standards.
- Demonstrates an ability to solve problems independently and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
- Maintains accountability for actions taken.
- Effectively functions as a resource person.
- Acts as a patient advocate.
- Performs effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students.
- Assists in maintaining/decreasing organizational/department costs.
- Assists in the department's compliance with State, JCAHO, OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
- Participates in preparation for continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
- Adheres to the infection control process, including universal precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
- Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies.
- Utilizes two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
- Assumes appropriate code team role during code situations, including internal and external.
- Functions as the scrub member of the surgical team.
- Obtains necessary instruments and supplies from Central Service.
- Performs duties/responsibilities as a central service technician as necessary or assigned.
- Arranges sterile setup for each specific operative procedure coordinating with surgeon preference.
- Updates physician preference cards.
- Assists in moving, lifting and positioning the patient.
- Identifies patient appropriate surgical procedure and site by following policy for the surgical site ID.
- Assists the surgeon in performing the surgical procedure.
- Handles specimens appropriately.
- Performs OR counts accurately and takes appropriate action in response to incorrect counts.
- Maintains the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the surgical team.
- Assists with the cleaning and setting up of surgical cases.
- Follows the principles of asepsis, reporting any breaks in aseptic technique and rectifying the situation
- Other duties as assigned.
Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]
Required Qualifications/Experience
- Successful completion of a surgical technology program.
- Up to one (1) year experience as a surgical technologist.
- Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
- Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
- One (1) + years surgical scrub experience preferred.
License, Certification & Clearances
- Act 81 Compliance
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program (can acquire within six (6) months of hire or transfer in unit)
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
- Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
- Travel may be expected locally between System locations.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
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Explanatory Statement |
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House Bill 81 of 2019 The Central Service Technician and Surgical Technologist Regulation Act Enacted 10/29/2020 – Effective 12/29/2020 (See attached HB for definitions for Central service technician and Surgical technologist) |
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Section 301: CertificationCentral Service Technician (CST) hired after 12/29/2020 must: |
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Pass a nationally accredited central service exam for CST AND maintain one of the following:Certified registered central service technician credentialORCertified sterile processing and distribution technician credential |
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Exemption: Law does not apply to an individual who has been employed or otherwise contracted for services as a central service technician by a health care facility on or before December 29, 2020.Exemption Requirement: the facility shall maintain documentation of the CST’s date of employment or the contract period when the central service technician provided services to the facility to verify that the CST meets the exemption requirements. |
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Section 302: Employment and continuing education (a) New employees - CST has 18 months from date of hire to pass a nationally accredited central service exam for CST and obtain one of the two credentials noted above. |
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(b) Continuing education - Annually complete 10 hours of continuing education. (NOTE: The continuing education required under this subsection shall be in areas related to the functions of a central service technician.) |
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(c) Facility responsibility - Facility must maintain documentation the CST meets the certification requirements |
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Section 501: Surgical Technologist (ST) must meet at least one of the following:- Successful completion of a Surgical Technologist program sponsored by an entity holding nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation and hold and maintains a ST certification from an accredited certification program. [501(1)(i)] * OR -Successful completion of appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy, or Air Force. OR -Provides evidence of an ST certification from an accredited certification program. OR -Was employed to practice surgical technology by the health care facility on or before December 29, 2020. OR -Was employed to practice surgical technology as the individual's primary function in another health care facility at any time during the two years immediately preceding December 29, 2020. OR -A healthcare facility may employ or contract an individual to practice surgical technology during the six-month period immediately following successful completion of a surgical technology program under paragraph (1) 9I), but may not continue to be employed or contracted with beyond that period without documentation the individual has obtained certification as required. |
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Section 502: Continuing education: (a) An ST employed or contracted with the facility and not certified under section 501(1)(i) or has let the individual's certification lapse shall: (1) with the continuing education requirements specified by the credentialing organization as necessary to keep the certification current and (2) provide proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements to the facility. |
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(b) Additional Requirement - An ST employed or contracted with the facility and not certified under section 501(1)(i) or has let the individual's certification lapse shall: (1) complete 30 hours of relevant continuing education every two years in order to remain eligible to practice surgical technology; and (2) be responsible for proving, to the satisfaction of the health care facility, that the individual complies with this subsection. |
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(c) Verification-- A facility that employs or contracts with an ST shall verify the ST meets the continuing education requirements. |
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Section 503. Exception. A facility may employ or contract an ST who does not meet the requirements of section 501 to practice surgical technology if: (1) after a diligent and thorough effort has been made, the facility is unable to employ or contract with a sufficient number of qualified STs who meet the requirements of section 501; and (2) the health care facility makes a written record of its efforts under (1) and retains the record at the facility. |
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Work Environment
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When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required. Essential – Absolute Necessity. Marginal – Minimal Necessity. Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift. Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift. Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift. Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
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Essential |
Marginal |
Constantly |
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Extreme Heat |
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Extreme Cold |
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Heights |
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Confined Spaces |
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Extreme Noise(>85dB) |
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x |
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Mechanical Hazards |
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Use of Vibrating Tools |
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Operates Vehicle (company) |
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Operates Heavy Equipment |
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Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices |
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Rotates All Shifts |
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8 Hours Shifts |
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10-12 Hours Shifts |
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On-Call |
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Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk) |
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x |
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Travel Between Sites |
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Direct Patient Care |
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Respirator Protective Equipment |
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Eye Protection |
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Head Protection (hard hat) |
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Hearing Protection |
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Hand Protection |
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Feet, Toe Protection |
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Body Protection |
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Latex Exposure |
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Solvent Exposure |
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Paint (direct use) Exposure |
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Dust (sanding) Exposure |
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Ethylene Oxide Exposure |
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Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure |
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Blood/Body Fluid Exposure |
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x |
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Chemicals (direct use) Exposure |
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x |
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Mist Exposure |
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x |
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Wax Stripper (direct use) |
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Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure |
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Ionizing Radiation Exposure |
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Laser Exposure |
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Physical Demands
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When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required. Essential – Absolute Necessity. Marginal – Minimal Necessity. Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift. Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift. Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift. Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift. |
Physical Condition |
Essential |
Marginal |
Constantly |
Frequently |
Occasionally |
Rarely |
Never |
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Bending (Stooping) |
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Sitting |
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Walking |
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Climbing Stairs |
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Climbing Ladders |
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Standing |
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Kneeling |
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Squatting (Crouching) |
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Twisting/Turning |
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Keyboard/Computer Operation |
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Gross Grasp |
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Fine Finger Manipulation |
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Hand/Arm Coordination |
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Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force) |
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Carry |
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Transfer/Push/Pull Patients |
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Seeing Near w/Acuity |
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Feeling (Sensation) |
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Color Vision |
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Hearing Clearly |
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Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead |
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x |
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Reaching Above Shoulder Level |
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Reaching Forward |
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Lifting Floor to Knuckle |
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10-19# |
20-49# |
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50>50# |
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Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle |
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10-29# |
30-49# |
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50>50# |
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Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder |
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10-29# |
30-49# |
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50>50# |
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Lifting Shoulder to Overhead |
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10-19# |
20-29# |
30->50# |
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required