This position is within the Surgical Care Line at Puget Sound VA Health Care System located in Seattle, Washington. The Surgical Scrub Technician (SST) provides patient care and assistance to the Registered Nurse (RN) and surgeons, and is under the direct supervision of an RN. The SST is responsible for preparation of the operating room for a variety of simple to major surgical procedures with a thorough knowledge of sets of instruments, equipment and supplies.
Major duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Serves as a member of the surgical team in the OR by performing scrub and other support services for simple and major cases.
- Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
- Anticipates the surgeon's needs for instruments, equipment and supplies via surgeon's case preference cards, training as a surgical technician, and familiarity with hospital and OR policies and procedures.
- Handles instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures such as open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, total joint procedures, and robotic surgery.
- Passes instruments and observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedures and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
- Utilizes sterile techniques as per hospital, OR, and AORN guidelines.
- Follows directions for performing OR policy for sponge, needle, and instrument count.
- Follows infection control policies and procedures.
- Maintains, cares and labels surgical specimens.
- Assists the RN on care of the patient (i.e. positioning, prepping, as needed).
- Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures, preparation of prosthesis and surgical devices and preparing sterile dressings.
- Follows infection control policies and procedures.
- Recognizes and helps initiate actions during emergency situations including cardiopulmonary resuscitation when appropriate.
- Stocking replenishing, and preparing supplies and equipment for use.
- Assists other members of the team with room clean up in readiness for next patient.
- Assists the RN with receiving surgical patients into the OR and ensuring safety of the patient at all times.
- Promptly reports any change in the patient's condition to the RN.
- Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, surgical technologist students, and new operating room staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments and OR procedures.
- Provides emotional support and comfort measures specific for each patient to alleviate concerns and fears
- Properly answers telephone calls and directs call to the appropriate person.
- Generating and maintaining case cart and preference card lists.
- Working with vendors and support personnel for procurement of specific instrumentation needed for a case.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm, On-call status required
Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD40972A
Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Physical Requirements:Work involves potentially extended periods of standing, walking and reaching. Trays of instruments and stock weighing as much as 25 pounds must be lifted and carried short distance, and wearing x-ray aprons. The SST must be able to use both hands to handle or feel objects with dexterity and strength to manipulate delicate instruments and equipment. The SST must have adequate hearing and speech to effectively communicate with other personnel and patients. Carts on rollers must be transported within the OR and from department to department within the hospital. The SST assists with transferring and transporting patients most of which are in stages of unconsciousness. The volume and rapid pace of work, interruptions, and emergency nature of some tasks may cause high levels of stress for the employee.
Work Environment: The majority of work is performed in the OR. The SST must wear hospital supplied surgical scrubs, hair cover and eye protection while on duty in the OR. There is the potential for frequent exposure to toxic gases, hazardous chemicals, exposure, blood and body fluids, laser beams requiring special safety precautions, radiation, air-powered equipment, and a variety of electrical equipment that requires special safety precautions. Work potentially involves the wearing of attire such as a hood in total joint replacements. The SST in this position is regularly exposed to infectious diseases. Occasionally, patients undergoing treatment can be verbally or physically abusive, particularly those suffering from mental illness.