Surgical Technologist

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:

Surgical Technologist

DEPT:

OR

Band:

TEC L2

JOB CODE:

06010

SCOPE OF POSITION:

Working under the direction of the RN, the Surgical Technologist functions in the OR as a surgical scrub performing a variety of technical and other activities following established methods and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the surgeon or interventionist as a scrub technologist or assistant, providing and assisting with instrumentation and supplies as needed.

Consistently demonstrate expertise in scrubbing and assisting surgeons. Prepare cases by utilizing preference cards and seeking out information from heads of service.

• Scrub according to O.

R. policy and AORN standards. Be aware of breaks in technique and immediately report them and initiate intervention.

Anticipate physician's needs as it relates to the specific procedure and patient population.

Assist other team members to meet department goals.

Assist the RN in providing care, offer suggestions and collaborate to improve the plan of care.

Maintain awareness of room assignments; participate in setup and clean-up; maintain required supplies, instruments and equipment according to type of case; care for specimens and cultures. Ensure patient safety as well as safety for team members and self.

Perform sponge, instrument and sharp counts according the OR Policy, maintains knowledge and practice of sterile technique.

Promote teamwork and effective working relationships.

Manage time efficiently.

Assume educational and professional development.

Perform all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology Program.

Surgical Technologist certification

Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.

Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time.

Ability to see tiny objects (i.e. small needles, eye sutures, ear tubes, prosthesis and lenses).

Manual dexterity and coordination in order to assemble complicated equipment (drills & lasers).

Ability to work in a time oriented environment including exposure to all patients' elements (i.e., blood borne pathogens)

Physical requirements:

lifting and pulling of patients, heavy supplies, pushing stretchers, and standing and walking.

May be exposed to environmental hazards such as anesthetic gases or by-products.

Exposure to radiation, hazardous chemicals, toxins, electrical hazards and loud noises.

BLS certified required

Must have basic computer skills and ability to access internet and other programs applicable to Waterbury Hospital procedures.

Perform automated functions that fall within job responsibility.

THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION COVERS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DUTIES PERFORMED BUT DOES NOT EXCLUDE OTHER OCCASIONAL WORK ASSIGNMENTS NOT MENTIONED, THE INCLUSION OF WHICH WOULD BE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE FACTOR DEGREES ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB.

1.0 Introduction

This assessment documents the physical demands and essential job functions of the Surgical Tech position.

2.0 Physical Job Description

Surgical Techs frequently push and pull patients, instruments and equipment that requires between 5 lbs to 35 lbs of force. Moving, lifting or transferring of patients may involve lifting of up to 50 lbs., individually, or more as part of a team-lift. Surgical Techs are regularly required to stand and talk or hear, and frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms.

Surgical Techs are infrequently required to sit, stoop, crouch or kneel, as they must remain sterile when they have scrubbed in. Exception would be when procedure is complete and they are disposing of non-sterile instruments or linens.

Surgical Techs must frequently lift and/or move items and materials up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift or move materials up to 50 lbs.

Standing and walking are constant throughout the shift. Surgical Techs are rarely seated.

The estimated overall strength requirement of the job of a Surgical Tech may be classified as "Medium." Medium work indicates that the job involves handling 20 to 50 lbs Occasionally (O) or handling 10 to 20 lbs Frequently (F).

3.0 Operational Overview

The Surgical Tech is responsible for the following job tasks.

Preparing Surgical Setup and Operative Site as the Scrubbed Team Member

Handling Instruments and Implements During Operative Procedure

Assisting RN with Circulating Duties when Scrub Duties are not needed

Preparing and Transporting Instrument Table to Workroom, Caring for Instruments

Observing for and alerting appropriate personnel of need for instrument maintenance

Documenting pertinent observations and nursing procedures performed

Reporting patient problems, incidents, or changes in patient status to RN

Surgical Techs could see up to 5 cases per day.

3.1 Work Hours/Shifts:

Shift duration is planned as 8 hours. Surgical Techs may do shift rotations, i.e., having turns on every shift:

days, evenings, nights; one week at a time (e.g., a week of days followed by a week of nights, etc.)

Shifts can be longer than 8 hours, as Surgical Techs may take a call once per week due to either more procedures needing scheduled than anticipated, or one Surgical Tech called out that day, or the department received a "trauma" urgent case.

Breaks are not scheduled; typically Surgical Techs take a 45 min. lunch only, waiting to take their break so there is no need to "scrub in" a replacement multiple times throughout a shift.

3.2 Working Environment:

The majority of work is performed indoors.

The main areas of work are the temperature-controlled operating room.

The hard flooring surfaces improve ease of push/pull tasks.

3.3 Tools, Equipment, Work Aids:

Surgical Techs are provided standard O.

R. gown, disposable hat, eye protection, mask, optional shoe covers, 2 pair gloves (will normally double-glove), and wear sturdy work shoes (closed toe), Lead Aprons, Radiation Safety Badges; also, Orthopedic Hazmat Suits are used for Joint Procedures.

Lift assist equipment is routinely used for patient transfers.

Sometimes the procedure table is raised especially high for a particular procedure and that necessitates use of stable step stools that are stackable.

Techs use instrument carts and frequently handle sharp, powered saws and drills for surgery.

4.0 Physical Demands Analysis

The following tables detail the individual physical demands using the following six categories:

Mobility, Strength, Upper Extremity Postural Activity, Sensory/Perceptual, Work Environment, and Conditions of Work.

Key1: Exposure Time & Strength Rating

Rating of Exposure Time

Definition (Hrs of time)

Not Observed (N/O)

Not Observed

Infrequent (I)

< 1 Hr

Occasional (O)

1 – 3 Hrs

Frequent (F)

3 – 6 Hrs

Constant (C)

6 – 8 Hrs

Key1: Exposure Time & Strength Rating (continued):

Strength Rating

DOT Definitions

Sedentary

0 to 10 lbs performed Occasionally (O)

Very Light

0 to 20 lbs performed Infrequently (I)

Light

0 to 20 lbs performed Frequently (F) or Significant Walking or Standing

Medium

20 to 50 lbs performed Occasionally (O) Or 10 to 20 lbs performed Frequently (F) or 10 lbs performed Constantly (C)

Heavy

50 to 100 lbs performed Occasionally (O) or 25 to 50 lbs performed Frequently (F) or 10 to 20 lbs performed Constantly (C)

*Based in part on US Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), Physical Demands Strength Rating, 1991

Key2 : Essential Function Tasks

Task #

Task Description

1

Occasionally pushing/pulling bed, stretcher, gurney, with and without a patient; force will vary from 5 lbs to 35 lbs. Occasionally pushing instrument carts and laundry/linens carts.

2

Frequently lifting/carrying items ranging from 1 lb. to 10 lbs and above; occasionally lifting or maneuvering as part of a team an adult patient resulting in up to 50 lb exertion

3

Reaching frequently to review monitoring equipment and to access supplies.

4

Infrequently bending, stooping, crouching, crawling and kneeling to dispose of soiled items or non-sterile instruments, post-procedure.

5

Visually identifying labels, charts, instruments, supplies, displays, and controls to properly perform work.

6

Standing and walking to assess and care for patients.

Table 1: Mobility

Activity

Duration

Essential

Function Task

Example

Sitting

I

3,5

Standing

C

1,2,3,4,5,6

Walking

C

1,2,3,4,5,6

Running

I

6

Climbing

N/O

1,3

Bending/Stooping

I

3,4

Putting non-sterile instruments into cart

Crouching

I

3,4

Kneeling

I

3,4

Table 1: Mobility (continued)

Activity

Duration

Essential

Function Task

Example

Crawling

N/O

After surgery will have to crawl on occasion to pick up items dropped during procedure

Twisting

F

1,2,3,5,6

Handing instruments, loading sutures

Balancing

O

1,2,3,4,5,6

Stretching/reaching to manipulate different item(s) or instrument(s) with each hand

Table 2: Strength

Activity

Duration

Essential

Function Task

Example

Lift 0-10 lbs

F

2,3,4,5,6

Lift 11-20 lbs

O

2,3,5,6

Retractors, posts lifted to table, metal rings

Neurosurgery instrument loaner trays (from vendors)

Lift 21-50 lbs

O

2,3,5,6

Lift >50 lbs

O

2,6

Patients:

usually more than 2 people doing the lifting; turn patient, pull them, from stretcher to operating table or bed, and back again

Carry 0-10 lbs

O

2,3,4,5,6

Carry 11-20 lbs

O

2

Carry 21-50 lbs

O

2,3,5,6

Carry >50 lbs

I

2

Pushing 0-10 lbs

F

1,6

Carts

Pushing 11-20 lbs

F

1,6

Carts full of instruments, moveable shelves of instrument storage

Pushing 21-50 lbs

O

1,6

Pulling

F

1,6