The ST performs technical skills related to interoperative patient care. The ST is generally assigned to perform the scrub role in various surgical procedures and also performs routine unit tasks. They provide emergency care measures as appropriate, and assist in meeting the patients emotional needs. The ST follows universal precautions, safe handling guidelines, and all other infection control standards. They provide for safety/security of self and others and follow special precautions as related to patient care. They maintain a clean/organized perioperative unit. The ST promotes a positive attitude to staff, families, and patient/guests as well as maintains patient confidentiality. The ST is an unclassified professional staff position working under direct supervision of PCC-RN and under the general supervision of Perioperative Managers. The ST performs all tasks in a manner that is cost effective without compromising quality of care, meets hospital continuing education and certification requirements, upholds goals and objectives of the Department of Perioperative Services. The ST contributes to organizational effectiveness and demonstrates career growth and development. The ST works variable rotating shifts as assigned. Call is assigned on a rotating basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

60% of time Clinical Practice and Management

Prepares for surgical procedures according to Operating Room policy and procedure.

This may include but is not limited to:

• May assist in transportation of the patient to and from the Perioperative Units.
• Reports to assigned room on time.
• Check surgeons preference book before scrubbing.
• Obtains all instruments and supplies needed for the case.
• Assists circulator in preparing the O.R. for surgical procedures.
• Utilizes aseptic technique in opening supplies.
• Scrubs, gowns and gloves according to OR policy.
• Set up sterile field according to protocol.
• Counts sponges and sharps with circulating nurse, as soon as possible, according to OR policy.
• Gown and glove other members of the surgical team according to protocol.
• Identifies and is skillful in the care and use of all instruments.
• Assists in placing and positioning the patient on the Operating Room bed for all surgical procedures.
• Ties and secures sterile gowns.
• Holds extremities during the operative prep.
• Assists the surgeon in applying casts and splints.
• Provides scrub services for surgical procedures.
• Provides scrub services for endoscopy procedures.

Is alert and attentive during the entire operative procedure, anticipates surgeons needs, keeps unnecessary talk and noise to a minimum, and demonstrates integrity in aseptic practice. This may include but is not limited to:

• Advises the circulating nurse of any change in progress of the operative procedure.
• Anticipates need for supplies, instruments and sutures, etc.
• Alerts the circulating nurse to the possible need for additional supplies or equipment.
• Maintains a neat, clean and orderly sterile field.
• Avoids covering instruments and sponges with secondary drapes.
• Is aware of location and number of all counted items.
• Holds retractors or instruments when placed and directed by the surgeon
• Sponges or suctions operative site as directed by the surgeon
• Applies electrocautery to clamps on bleeders as directed by the surgeon
• Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon
• Connects drains to suction apparatus as directed by the surgeon
• Provides wet and dry sponges to clean the patients skin prior to application of dressing.
• Applies dressing to the closed wound as directed by the surgeon
• Obtains and cares for all cultures and specimens according to OR protocol.
• Assists in transfer patient to the recovery bed.
• Stocks room supplies as needed
• Expedites room turnover between procedures.
• After local procedures, may transport postoperative patients to the patient care unit.
• Assists the registered nurse and anesthetist in transporting postoperative patients to the post anesthesia recovery unit as needed.
• Performs Operating Room sanitation tasks.
• Stocks Operating Rooms and carts with supplies.
• Changes compressed air tanks.
• Assists with Quality Assurance Monitoring.
• Gives relevant and timely report when relieved from scrub role including specimens, counts and stage of procedure.
• Communicates needs and requests of surgeons to appropriate nursing staff.
• Demonstrates the ability to document pertinent information on the appropriate forms in a complete, concise and legible manner.

Operating Room Materials Services Duties:

• Receives, sorts, decontaminates, cleans and sterilizes surgical items.
• Loads and operates washer-sterilizers, dryers, ultrasonic cleaners, and sterilizers.
• Wraps assembled instrument trays.
• Stamps, dates, stores and rotates items and issue sterile and non-sterile items and inspects for package integrity.
• Cleans sterilizers and ultrasonic cleaners.
• Uses and evaluates sterilizers and ultrasonic cleaners.
• Uses and evaluates sterilizer test indicators.
• Reports defective material or equipment to supervisor.

20% of time Area maintenance/safety those activities related to maintain safety, cleanliness and efficiency of the Perioperative areas

Demonstrates ability to assist with preparation of area/items for the next surgical procedure

• Organizes instrumentation in preparation for case clean up.
• Accounts for all reusable supplies.
• Safely places all sharp items in appropriate cleaners.
• Utilizes the proper procedure for caring and labeling surgical specimens.
• Contains patient contaminates utilizing proper clean up procedure.
• Assists with the decontamination, cleaning, sterilization, maintenance and disposition of supplies, instruments and equipment.

Provides for protection of self and others from infectious agents by adhering to infection control standards and Division of Nursing and OR policy and procedure. This may include but is not limited to:

• Knows and applies principles of aseptic practice, recognizes the necessity for following established procedures.
• Calls attention to breaks in technique and takes appropriate action.
• Follows Universal Precautions and other safe handling practices.
• Wears appropriate safety attire.
• Follows protocol and manufacturers recommendations for equipment use.
• Follows personal, protective equipment directions under the OR attire policy.
• Reports all equipment failures to the Charge Nurse or Manager
• Assembles, maintains and cleans OR equipment according to OR policy.
• Properly disposes of trash, linen and sharps according to OR protocol and The University Hospitals policy for infection control and safe handling
• Empties sharps containers, trash and towel hampers at the end of each shift and/or as needed during the shift according to OR protocol and The University Hospitals Policy and Procedure.
• Cleans and maintains decontamination and prep and packing areas according to O.R. protocol and the University Hospitals infection control standards; refers/follows/adheres to MSDS guidelines and unit and Hospital safety standards.
• Maintains daily cleaning of Steris processors as assigned by the Charge Nurse.
• Actively participates in efforts to reduce duplication of sterile supplies, instruments and equipment.
• Actively participates in measures to increase organization of sterile supplies, instruments and equipment.
• Demonstrates self-initiative to replace unused supplies, instruments and equipment to designated storage areas.
• Replaces unused supplies to appropriate areas adhering to the principles of event related sterility practices.
• Cleans and organizes O.R. supply cupboards.
• Maintains equipment in working order.
• Demonstrates continued efforts to conserve supplies and instrument costs.

20% of time Personal work habits: Those actions that demonstrate accountability to the organization.

• Works when scheduled.
• Maintains awareness of posted time schedule and creates personal mechanism to remain up to date with changes.
• Uses required forms in requesting time off, entering timely requests. Limits requests after time scheduled posted to 1:1 changes. All requests must be submitted for approval in writing.
• Adheres to The University Hospitals Policy and Procedures for sick leave and reporting of illness and adheres to the call in policy.
• Demonstrates commitment to on call hours as assigned.
• Reports to perioperative area prepared to begin duties at the beginning of scheduled shifts, meetings and other work related activities.
• Demonstrates punctuality to work, report and required meetings.
• Completes assignments in a timely manner reflected by no unapproved or unexplained overtime/overpercent.
• As requested, cooperates and willingly participates in temporary assignment measures of the Department of Nursing.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.
• Maintains a neat and orderly work environment.
• Adheres to the dress code defined in the Department of Nursing and Perioperative Policy and Procedure.
• Is cost effective in use of materials/other resources.
• All patient care items are charged appropriately.
• Requests materials to be dispensed to the operative field in an appropriate and timely manner to avoid waste.
• Facilitates a positive work environment by engaging in conflict resolution.
• Formulates and maintains effective working relationships with coworkers, physicians and members of the management team.
• Strives to make working relationships which are, characterized by mutual support, open communication, trust and respect.
• Functions to keep personal biases and private life separate from work issues that might have negative impact on unit function, avoids gossip and reports irreconcilable differences.
• Demonstrates positive and effective inter-personal skills through appropriate verbal and non-verbal communications with patients/families and staff.

Patient/Guest relations: Those actions that promote positive relationships between staff and patient/guests

• Demonstrates respect, concern and courtesy for all individuals according to OSUMC Policy and Procedure.
• Maintains positive public relations image with other employees, patients/visitors at all times on unit, in rooms, on elevators, or public places.
• Responds to patient requests with promptness, empathy and genuine interest as perceived by patients and coworkers.
• Demonstrates professionalism, understanding, patience and tact when dealing with Physicians and fellow workers.
• Maintains patient privacy and dignity when providing care as defined in OSUMC Policy and Procedure.
• Maintains patients rights of confidentiality in all discussions, deliberations and any other communication as defined in OSUMC Policy and Procedure

Organizational Expectations

Practices within the Medical Centers policies and procedures. Adheres to the Intensive Caring Value Statements as demonstrated through positive patient/guest relations, positive and effective interactions with staff and formulating and meeting developmental goals. Precepts and/or assists with orientation of staff and students as directed by appropriate nursing staff and provides appropriate feedback to orientees, charge nurse, NM-OR/Education.

• Actively participates in staff orientation by accepting position as preceptor when requested; giving verbal and/or written feedback to NM and orientees about performance; participating in pre-orientation and orientation evaluation.
• Attends all mandatory in services/educational offerings, to include fire, tornado/disaster; infection control in services and CPR certification as measured by review of in service attendance records and employee provided verification of current CPR certification.
• Attends and actively participates in scheduled unit staff meetings, reads and initials communications log book weekly.
• Annually formulates at least two professional goals, assumes responsibility for the development of a specific plan to attain goals.
• Participates in self evaluation at performance appraisal time by completing evaluation tool, and setting goals for self.
• Assesses own knowledge, skill and function constantly and asks questions to validate present level and seek high practice level.
• Accepts criticism in a positive, self-development manner.
• Actively seeks assignment and participates in divisional and unit committees as assigned.
• Initiates and answers phone calls and records all messages accurately.
• Relays STAT communication to appropriate personnel, immediately.
• Interacts in a courteous manner in all communications
• Identifies priority information and messages and takes appropriate action and/or immediately informs appropriate staff member.

Minimum Qualifications

For Hire: Must be a high school graduate or possess the GED, and must have completed formal Surgical Technology Training Program. Previous experience in the Operating Room as Surgical Technologist is preferred.

On going: Demonstrates competency to meet essential job functions. Maintains knowledge related to patient care issues, quality improvement and cost reduction, current policies, procedures, and protocols. Meets mandatory educational and health requirements.

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