Job Summary: The Surgical Technologist is a specifically trained scrub technologist who, under the direction of a Registered Nurse, serves as a vital member of the OR team, responsible for direct and indirect care of the surgical patient.
Department Position Summary: The Surgical Technologist functions as a member of the surgical team responsible for the obtaining of surgical supplies, preparation of the surgical field and maintenance of procedure sterility. The Surgical technologist works in collaboration with the medical, anesthesia, managerial, nursing and clinical staff in order to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
The Surgical Technologist must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. This individual further contributes to the department and Medical Center through support of the philosophy and objectives.
The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's policies and procedures. This is done through evaluation of direct supervisor by direct observation, in a skills lab, or discussed verbally or written. Competency can also be evaluated by a formal peer review process and/or by self assessment based on objective criteria that is reviewed and validated.
Education: Required: High School education or equivalent
Individuals employed to be Surgical Technologist must have completed one of the following educational requirements:
(1) Have completed a program for surgical technology accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); or (2) Have completed an appropriate training program for surgical technologists in the armed forces or at a CAAHEP accredited hospital or CAAHEP accredited ambulatory surgical treatment center program. For the purposes of this act, armed forces means the army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, or public health services of the United States: or (3) Successfully complete the surgical technologists LCC-ST certifying exam. (4) In addition to the individuals identified in Tennessee Code 68-57-102, a person may be employed upon providing sufficient evidence that prior to May 21, 2007, the person was at any time employed as a surgical tech for not less than 18 months in the three years preceding May 21, 2007, in a hospital, medical office, surgery center or an accredited school of surgical technology, as defined by this code. An individual who has begun the appropriate training to be a surgical technologist as defined by this section, prior to May 21, 2007 shall be eligible for employment as a surgical technologist; provided that the training is completed by May 21, 2010.
Also, a person may be employed as a surgical technologist if the person was at any time employed as a surgical technologist for not less than 18 months in a hospital, medical office, surgery center or school. Tenn. Code Ann. 68-57-102(a) does not limit the 18 month time frame, and hence that section would permit a person to be employed as a surgical technologist if the person had been so employed for not less than eighteen months at any time, regardless of the length of time that may have elapsed since such employment, provided that the person complies with the continued competency requirement mandated.
Any student who completes a surgical technology program that is in the process of becoming CAAHEP accredited on July 1, 2006 shall be considered a graduate of CAAHEP accredited program
We are a nationally-acclaimed, multi-hospital health system anchored by a leading academic medical center. Each year, more than 1,000,000 people are treated by a team of healthcare professionals who are part of Erlanger.Is the tri-state region's only Level I Trauma Center, providing the highest level of trauma care for adults.Is part of the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network that includes 56 hospitals and 4,000 participating physicians and clinicians.Has six LIFE FORCE air ambulances in its fleet, three based in Tennessee, two in North Georgia, and one in North Carolina.Is home to Children's Hospital at Erlanger which includes the region's only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, as well as a pediatric trauma team, Emergency Center, and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.Serves as the region's only academic medical center, affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center – College of Medicine Chattanooga.Houses the Erlanger Southeast Regional Stroke Center, recognized for its comprehensive stroke and neurosciences program.