Surgical Technologist - Full Time

About us: For the past 85 years, Stephens County Hospital has been a trusted name in the community, striving for excellence and delivering professional and compassionate care. Our dedicated staff of approximately 475 employees has a heart for healthcare and realizes how precious the gift of good health can be.

Stephens County Hospital is a 96-bed acute care hospital located in Toccoa, Georgia. We are nestled in the beautiful foothills of Northeast Georgia where our family-oriented community offers many cultural and civic opportunities as well as numerous outdoor activities. Stephens County Hospital is a member of the Georgia Hospital Association, American Hospital Association and Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals. Stephens County Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s premier healthcare monitoring agency.

 

Surgical Technologist - Full Time - Hours vary from 6AM-5:30PM Monday - Friday. Call Required. 

 

The Surgical Technologist is responsible for performing scrub duties, CSR services and other duties under the supervision of the Staff Nurse.

Education:

Graduate of an approved Surgical Technology program or completion of on-the-job training as a Surgical Technologist with minimum of three years’ experience.

Licensure / Certification:

Surgical Technologist certification required.

BLS Certification to be obtained within first month of employment.

The Surgical Technologist provides care to patients of the indicated ages:

• Infants (Newborn to One Year) 
• Adolescent (Ten to 18 Years)
• Toddlers (Two to Four Years)
• Adult (19 to 69 Years)
• Child (Five to Nine Years)          
• Geriatric (70 and Above)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Checks supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedure; has knowledge of surgical preference.
• Follows surgeon’s preference cards.
• Ensures that items for posted surgery are ready prior to anesthetic administration to the patient.
• Prepares items correctly for sterilization process.
• Uses sterilizer and/or disinfectant according to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Replaces and restocks to maintain room inventory without overstocking scrubs, gowns and gloves.
• Sets up sterile table with instruments, sutures, blades, electrosurgical equipment, suction, prosthesis and solutions needed for procedures.
• Labels all medications/solutions not in original containers.
• Counts sponges, needles and instruments with circulator according to procedure.
• Gowns, gloves surgeons, assistant, etc.
• Participates in “Time Out Verification” for correct patient, correct procedure and correct site prior to prepping and draping patient.
• Helps in preparing and draping sterile field.
• Passes instruments, etc. to surgeon during procedure.
• Removes drapes and applies sterile dressings.
• Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during procedure.
• Cares for and handles specimens properly.
• Prepares sterile dressings.
• Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.
• Assists other members of team with terminal clean-up of room in readiness for next patient.
• Assists in transferring patients.
• Assists in positioning patients.
• Obtains appropriate sterile and unsterile items needed for procedure.
• Opens sterile supplies.
• Transfers patient to operating room table.
• Positions patient using appropriate equipment.
• Applies electrosurgical grounding pads, tourniquets, monitors, etc. before procedure begins.
• Prepares the patient’s skin prior to draping by surgical team.
• Anticipates additional supplies needed during the procedure.
• Properly cares for specimens.
• Relates from one operative procedure to another with ease.
• Adjusts to variations in operative procedures as applied to patient needs.
• Utilizes resources personnel or material preparation for cases.
• Provides correct information to circulator for Operating Room Nurse’s record, charges, complicating factors.
• Uses restraints and other protective/support devices.
• Uses good body mechanics.
• Reports any malfunction of equipment immediately.
• Adheres to laser safety polices.
• Transports patients to and from surgical suite as directed by procedure.
• Follows guidelines for safe use of autoclaves.
• Follows established procedure in cleaning, assembling, packaging and storing all instruments, basins, trays, etc.
• Operates ultrasonic washer, autoclaves, washer-sterilizer and other equipment for processing supplies.
• Reports any broken or damaged instruments.
• Keeps work area clean and tidy.
• Folds linen.
• Prepares linen packs.
• Performs proof autoclave sterilizing system and keeps daily record.
• Orders and puts away supplies from purchasing.
• Puts away sterile supplies from Central Supply.
• Checks sterility dates of sterile supplies in sterile supplies in sterile storage.
• Folds and stores scrub clothes in appropriate place according to size.
• Follows established procedures in cleaning, assembling, packaging, sterilizing and storing processed supplies.
• Maintains PAR level of supplies in areas serviced by CSR.
• Checks all supplies for outdates weekly.
• Maintains PAR levels of supplies and equipment; reorders as needed.
• Maintains rental equipment in good, safe working condition and prepares for dispensing to units.
• Fills all requests for supplies and equipment; includes patient’s name and room number on all items.
• Maintains clean environment following cleaning schedule.
• Completes patient charges using computer system.
• Utilizes universal precautions in all aspects of work practice.
• Initiates appropriate isolation procedures.
• Maintains knowledge of multi drug resistant organisms and measures to be initiated.
• Remains in compliance with hospital Hand Hygiene Policy.
• Reports staff deficits related to compliance with Infection Control practice (non-compliance with hand washing, isolation procedures, maximum barrier precautions.)
• Complies with maximum barrier precautions during central line insertions.
• Complies with policies regarding vascular lines (dressing changes, appropriate insertion techniques.)
• Inserts Foleys using sterile technique.
• Maintains knowledge of hospital acquired infection rate and measures being taken to decrease incidence.
• Cleans equipment appropriately between patient and/or staff use.

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Infant (Newborn-One Year)

• Provides protective environment; does not leave unattended.
• Evaluates for age appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to cues that indicate infant is overstressed and initiates appropriate soothing measures.
• Provides equipment specific to patient’s age and size.

Toddler (2 to 4 Years)

• Evaluates for age appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms.
• Involves child in own care when possible.
• Recognizes comprehension level and verbal ability.
• Speaks and plays with the toddler to effectively reduce stress.
• Provides equipment specific to patient’s age and size.

Child (5 to 9 Years)

• Evaluates for age appropriate behavior motor skills and physiological norms.
• Provides equipment specific to patient’s age and size.
• Recognizes child’s need to exercise some control.
• Provides for privacy.
• Assesses for non-verbal needs for support.
• Keeps explanations short, simple and logical using correct terminology.
• Recognizes the child’s need for independence and potential for being attracted to dangerous situations.

Adolescent (10 to 18 Years)

• Evaluates for age appropriate behavior, skills and physiological norms.
• Provides equipment specific to patient’s age and size.
• Allows for privacy and anticipates fear of embarrassment.
• Uses proper medical terminology.
• Allows adolescent to maintain control and realizes there may be resistance.
• Encourages questions regarding “fears”.
• Evaluates self-care abilities/limitations and identifies need for additional safety measures.

Adult (19 to 69)

• Evaluates self-care abilities/limitations and identifies need for additional safety measures.
• Provides equipment specific to size of patient.
• Involves patient in planning of care and educational needs.
• Recognizes anxiety regarding potential changes in lifestyle resulting from illness.
• Addresses patient appropriately.
• Explains procedures using correct terminology.
• Recognizes patient’s level of psychosocial development and modifies interventions accordingly.
• Provides for patient’s privacy.
• Respects patient’s right to refuse treatment.

Geriatric (70 Years and Older)

• Evaluates self-care abilities/limitations and identifies need for additional safety measures.
• Assesses and interprets data relative to patient’s age.
• Provides equipment specific to size of patient.
• Recognizes anxiety regarding potential changes in lifestyle resulting from illness.
• Addresses patient appropriately.
• Explains procedures using correct terminology.
• Provides for patient privacy.
• Respects patient’s right to refuse treatment.
• Recognizes patient’s level of psychosocial development and modifies interactions accordingly.
• Assesses for limiting conditions (vision, hearing, elimination, etc.).
• Implements skin integrity and/or risk to fall protocols.

Provides for patient warmth due to decreased heat regulation.

• May need to stand for up to 6-8 hours at a time
• Physically demanding, high-stress environment

• Have near normal hearing – able to hear alarms/telephone/normal speaking voice/ webinars

• Have near normal vision – clarity of vision (both near and far) either corrected on non-corrected, ability to distinguish colors

• Have good manual dexterity and eye-hand-foot coordination

• Standing – continuously within the shift (67-100%)

• Walking – continuously within the shift (67-100%)

• Climbing – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)

• Bending/stooping – frequently within the shift (34-66%)

• Twist at the waist – occasionally with the shift (1-33%)

• Pushing/pulling – frequently within the shift (34-66%)

• Lift/carry – 20lbs with assistance – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)

• Reaching above the shoulders – frequently within the shift (34-67%)

• Lift/carry – 50lbs with assistance – occasionally within the shift (1-33%).

• MUST BE ABLE TO WORK IN A FAST PACED ENVIRONMENT

 

Stephens County Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition, carrier status or any other legally protected status.

marie.culver@stephenscountyhospital.com