Surgical Technologist

Summary

Job Title: Surgical Technologist

This position is located in Lancaster, PA.

Sign On Bonus: $13,500 - External candidates only, with 2 year commitment

0.9 FTE, M-F 8/10 hr shifts - Weekly on-call with 30 minute response time, every 3rd weekend work or call, 1 winter and 1 summer holiday.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Assists in the delivery of patient care by handling instruments during operative procedures and by performing a variety of duties related to the preparation, processing and arrangement of surgical instruments and supplies under a Registered Nurse.  Patient care includes care to patients in the following age groups: neonatal (birth to 30 days), pediatric (30 days through 12 years), adolescent (13 through 18 years), adult (19 through 64 years), and geriatric (65 years and above).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Qualified individuals must have the ability (with or without reasonable accommodation) to perform the following duties:

• Utilizes techniques of infection control.  Monitors all personnel for compliance with aseptic techniques and safety standards.

• Functions primarily as instrument handler on all types of surgical procedures involving and requiring conformance with specific sterile and aseptic techniques and procedures.                       

• Secures, sets up and otherwise prepares the Operating Room equipment, instruments and supplies.  Arranges instruments, tables, stands and other articles in specified order.  Adjusts equipment within the Operating Room to meet the needs of the surgeon and operative requirements.

• Functions as first assistant to the surgeon by handling tissue, using instruments to provide wound exposure and hemostasis, suction, sponge and bovie when needed, cutting tissue and tying suture as directed by surgeon, which may include closure of surgical wound.

• Anticipates and supplies surgeon's needs for instruments, supplies and equipment in such a way that the surgeon need not divert his/her attention from the operative field.

• Identifies emergency situations and responds in a calm and efficient manner.  Recognizes surgical complications and anticipates corrective measures, assuring expeditious treatment.

• Cares for contaminated instruments and supplies during and after the surgical procedures utilizing appropriate environmental control techniques.

• Participates in the on-call system in the O.R. for emergency and urgency cases.

• Participates in the education and orientation of surgical personnel.

• Assists circulating nurse in providing direct patient care.

• Participates in surgical procedure outside the department.

• Periodically works in the instrument or utility room area.  Duties in this area include sorting instruments and equipment, arranging set-ups, storing equipment for future use and picking instruments for scheduled cases.

• Maintains established stock levels in the Operating Room suites.

• Participates in the on-call responsibilities for this position as required.

• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).

• If new to the Surgical Technologist role, without any previous Surgical Technologist experience, hired after 12/28/2020, must be a graduate of an approved school of surgical technology and be certified within 6 months of hire or validation of completion of a surgical military training program (Army, Navy or Air Force).  Employees with at least two years previous Surgical Technologist experience do not require certification. 

• CPR Certification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

One (1) year of Operating Room scrub experience.

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

ATTENTION/CONCENTRATION – The following level of ability is essential for the jobholder to focus on certain aspects of current experience and reject others:

The position requires strong concentration skills.  The individual must have the ability to voluntarily sustain concentration to a task over an extended period of time as a result of an effortful and usually deliberate heightened and focused state of attention.

NEW LEARNING AND MEMORY – The following level of ability is essential for the jobholder to learn and retain material:

The position requires that an individual be able to learn new tasks quickly and effectively.  Job requirements change frequently.  The ability to understand and carry out detailed, involved instructions in mandatory.

PROBLEM SOLVING, REASONING AND CREATIVE THINKING – The following level of ability that is essential for the jobholder to think (in order to solve a problem) by combining two or more elements from past experience or imaginative thought:

The position requires the ability to evaluate existing options to resolve a presenting problem.  The resolutions or options are clearly defined, limited in number and are altered infrequently.  Selection of the most appropriate solution is based on well-established and defined guidelines.

APTITUDES:  The following are essential requirements of the position in relation to job-worker situations.  These items describe how a worker must adapt, adjust, conform or act:

Repetitive work: Ability to continuously perform the same type of work for extended periods of time, according to set procedures, sequence or pace.

Performing under stressful conditions: Ability to perform under stress when confronted with emergency, critical, unusual, or dangerous situations, or in situations in which working speed and sustained attention are critical aspects of the job. Is subject to danger or risk, or to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Variety and change: Ability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure involving significant differences in technologies, techniques, procedures, environmental factors, physical demands, or work situations.

Communication:  Ability to exchange information with others clearly and concisely; to present ideas, facts and technical information.

Interpersonal relations: Ability to maintain relationships that facilitate task accomplishment; to cooperate and resolve conflicts; to recognize needs and be sensitive of others.

EQUIPMENT USAGE REQUIREMENTS

Equipment/Tools: Computer, Phone, Copier, Printer, Fax, Office Supplies, bovie, scrub sinks, autoclaves, lap chole machines, laser, cusa, ritter, microscope, micro-chair, suction, table, neuro headrests, craniotome, steris system, irrigation pump, mayo stands, oscillating saw, defibrillator cables and paddles, Systec, ototome, dental drill, fish hooks, scoville, forcep, currettes, suction tips, rany applicators, needles and syringes, nervehooks and freer, hemoclip appliers

Software: Microsoft Office Products, clinical information system.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Rarely 0-10%; Occasionally 11-35%; Frequently 36-70%; Continuously 71-100%

Body Position/Movement:

• Sit: Occasionally

• Stand: Continuously

• Walk: Frequently

• Bend: Rarely

• Push: Frequently

• Pull: Frequently

• Kneel/Squat:

• Reach: Frequently

• Twist: Rarely

• Balance: Rarely

• Climb: Rarely

Lifting: Degree of physical exertion is: Moderate, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Sensory Abilities specifically required:

• Vision

• Hearing

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

WORKING CONDITIONS: Position involves exposure to the following harmful elements:

• Bio hazardous Waste

• Blood borne Pathogens

• Chemicals

• High Pressure Steam/Gas

• Moving/Rotating Machinery

Disclaimer: This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.  It is intended to be a reflection of those principal job elements essential for recruitment and selection, for making fair job evaluations, and for establishing performance standards.  The percentages of time spent performing job duties are estimates, and should not be considered absolute.  The incumbent shall perform all other functions and/or be cross-trained as shall be determined at the sole discretion of management, who has the right to amend, modify, or terminate this job in part or in whole.  Incumbent must be able to perform all job functions safely.

PENN MEDICINE LANCASTER GENERAL HEALTH offers the following benefits to employees:

• 100% Tuition Assistance at The Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Shift, Weekend and On-Call Differentials
• Health, Dental and Vision Coverage
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Savings Account with Company Matching
• Child Care Subsidies
• Onsite Gym and Fitness Classes

Disclaimer

PENN MEDICINE LANCASTER GENERAL HEALTH is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

Search Firm Representatives please read carefully: PENN MEDICINE LANCASTER GENERAL HEALTH is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at PENN MEDICINE LANCASTER GENERAL HEALTH via-email, the Internet or directly to hiring managers at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health in any form without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of PENN MEDICINE LANCASTER GENERAL HEALTH, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by PENN MEDICINE LANCASTER GENERAL HEALTH as a result of the referral or through other means.