Certified Surgical Technician (Scrub Tech)

Overview

The Surgical Technician plays a vital role within the surgical team, assisting to guarantee a safe and successful operation. This position operates under the guidance of a Registered Nurse and reports directly to Surgical Services management, focusing on supporting surgical operations and system-wide initiatives related to patient safety.

Primary Duties

• Acts as the scrub technician for basic surgeries and assists in more complex procedures when required.
• Prepares operating rooms by assembling surgical instruments, packs, and supplies according to department protocols.
• Inspects surgical tools and powered devices prior to use to ensure proper functioning; troubleshoots and reports issues, removing any malfunctioning equipment from service.
• Ensures that adequate and appropriate supplies and instruments are available, tailored to surgeon preferences, and collaborates with the registered nurse to count instruments, needles, and sponges as per procedural standards.
• Maintains inventory of surgical tools, sponges, and needles during operations through department-approved counting methods.
• Modifies instrumentation and supplies in response to procedural or patient condition changes.
• Monitors and reports blood and fluid losses during surgery.
• Verifies counts before closing body cavities and surgical wounds; assists the circulating nurse in replenishing supplies at shift end.
• Anticipates surgeon requirements by draping patients and facilitating instrument handling, including holding retractors, sutures, applying dressings, suction, sponging wounds, managing extremities, and patient transfers.
• Recognizes and communicates emergency scenarios promptly.
• Adapts priorities and contributes to resolving operational issues as needed.
• Assists with proper identification, labeling, and handling of surgical specimens in compliance with departmental guidelines.
• Performs or supports sterile preparations, monitoring and enforcing aseptic techniques among the surgical team, addressing breaks in sterility immediately.
• Maintains surgical supply levels by restocking equipment and notifying supervisors about special requisitions.
• Participates in the decontamination process for equipment, instruments, and supplies; assists with cleaning of rooms, furnishings, and apparatus following established protocols.

Qualifications and Skills

• Proficiency with medical technology relevant to surgical procedures.
• Capability to establish a safe and effective work environment.
• Knowledge of surgical techniques and technology.
• Strong analytical and diagnostic procedure skills.
• Technical competence and ability to communicate information effectively.
• Interpersonal skills including dependability and collaboration.
• Commitment to quality and thorough planning.

Education and Certification Requirements

• Associate degree in surgical technology from an accredited institution or a minimum of two years’ relevant experience.
• Possession of a valid state license as a Surgical Technologist.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers or equivalent CPR/AED certification.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The employer embraces equal opportunity in hiring, free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This includes considerations in compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfers, and layoffs. The organization is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and multicultural workplace environment through proactive measures beyond legal requirements.