Surgical Technician 1

Education

High School Diploma or GED required.
Completion of a Surgical Technician program or equivalent required.

Licensure/Certification

BLS required or obtain within probationary period (first 90 days).

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) preferred.

Experience

Experience normally received from attending an accredited Surgical Technician program required.

Knowledge, skills, abilities

Basic knowledge of surgical equipment and procedures. 

Knowledge of techniques related to performing routine surgical procedures.

Basic knowledge of diagnostic techniques and therapeutic modalities, and hemodynamic data interpretation.

Proficient knowledge of sterile techniques. 

Demonstrated knowledge of monitoring, set up, operating, and troubleshooting medical equipment.

Analytical skills for basic operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of biomedical instruments.

Good interpersonal skills for communicating and interacting with physicians and team members. 

Ability to quickly grasp new concepts and apply to interventions which utilize new and evolving technology.

Ability to adapt to varying environments and function independently. 

Ability to quickly grasp new concepts

Ability to utilize aseptic technique for invasive procedures and follow the infection control policies. 

Ability to pass instruments in a firm fashion.  Ability to keep instruments free of debris and blood during procedure and being attentive to physician when scrubbed.

Ability to handle stress and work in a fast-paced environment where patient status is subject to rapid and extreme change.

Must be flexible. 

Physical Demands

Standing for long periods of time (8 to 12 hours)

Walking for long periods of time (8 to 12 hours) to include moving about the work area, hospital, and/or campus as needed.

Sitting for extended periods (8 to 12 hours)

Must be able to bend, stoop, and reach/lift above your head

Sight:  Must be able to read documentation in a variety of formats such as items in print or electronically.  For Health Care Providers (HCP) must be able to visualize patient condition and see data displayed on monitoring devices, etc.

Auditory:  Must be able to hear in order to clearly communicate with others and use communication devices such as telephones must be able to hear patients, alarms, call bells, etc.

Tactile:  Must have ability to handle equipment and/or devices related to job duties, enter documentation within computer system.  For HCP must be able to feel for pulses, skin temperature, and other patient conditions

Olfactory:  HCP need to be able to smell disease-specific smells

HCP should not manually lift (including transfer, reposition, or move) patients who weigh greater than 35 pounds.  The appropriate safe patient handling device will be used, except in emergency situations (life or death situations where delay in obtaining and using the safe patient handling equipment may be detrimental to the patient).  Refer to Policy/Procedure G-89

Proper body mechanics will be used when moving or lifting any equipment or supplies