Surgical Technologist I, II, III, or IV

Overview:

Under the supervision of the registered nurse, the surgical technologist is to understand principles and practices of surgical asepsis as related to patient care in the operating room

Certified: Under supervision of the operating room staff nurse: works with surgeon, in preparing the operating room, sterilizing supplies and equipment, preparing the operative site and draping the patient

Handles instruments, sponges, sutures, catheters, drains and dressings to insure asepsis and safety to the patient

Non-Certified: Helps prepare operating room for surgical procedures

Sets up tables and trays required, lays out instruments, syringes, sutures, needles and other supplies

Acts as a scrub nurse

Gloves and gowns surgical teams; assists the surgeon in draping patient

Assists the surgical team under the direction of a registered nurse

Responsibilities:

Level 1-

Able to organize and prepare surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation collaboratively with other team members.
Able to complete necessary documentation regarding medications, specimens and sterilization, etc
Demonstrates a good attitude, professionalism and customer service
Able to perform basic surgical procedure in the scrub role to include but not limited to: gowning and gloving, setting up and maintaining back table utilizing aseptic technique, anticipate and meet the needs of the surgeon, apply sterile dressings and transferring of patients to a stretcher
Assists with cost containment efforts to include but not limited to: supply utilization, promoting short "turnover" between cases and managing time well.

Level 2-

Able to meet the knowledge of Level I
Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in organizing and preparing surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation
Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and practice of patient care techniques, aseptic technique and the role of the first scrub
Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in operating room emergency situations
Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in one or two surgical specialty areas
Able to demonstrate a professional attitude
Able to precept students

Level 3-

Able to meet the knowledge of Levels 1 and 2
Able to demonstrate superior knowledge in organizing and preparing surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation
Able to demonstrate superior knowledge and practice of patient care techniques, aseptic technique and the role of first scrub
Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
Able to demonstrate superior knowledge in operating room emergency situations
Able to demonstrate superior knowledge in one or two surgical specialty areas
Able to demonstrate a professional attitude
Able to precept new employees

Level 4-

Able to meet the knowledge of Levels 1, 2 and 3
Able to demonstrate competency of specialty are by full knowledge of surgeons needs, equipment, teaching/orienting specialty service to new employees and students
Assist in coordinating competencies and development of policies and procedures in specialty service
Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
Assists in equipment trials, coordinate with materials manager to ensure adequate supply levels, maintain proper functioning instrumentation and equipment
Assists with the annual budget process
Maintains specialty service competency manual and accurate education records demonstrating staff competencies
Able to demonstrate knowledge of new trends for service specialty and informs departmental staff
Qualifications:

Education:

Graduate of accredited school of surgical technology

Must have a copy of a diploma or offical transcript of the highest level of education

If LPN, graduate of an accredited school of nursing with previous surgical tech experience.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

If LPN, current LPN licensure by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing

BLS certification required

If certified as a Surgical Technologist, by the Association of Surgical Technologist, Inc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

After appropriate amount of time, work to achieve levels of career ladder

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English

Career Ladder for Surgical Technologists

Goals:

To enhance quality surgical patient care

To encourage employer recognition and rewarding of advanced competency

To promote accountability and responsibility of the surgical technologist toward the patient

To encourage professional growth of the surgical technologists

To encourage experienced ST's to contribute toward the professional growth of the other members of the surgical team

To increase the visibility of the role of ST in the hospital and other institutions

Clinical Ladder Program

Level 1: Entry Level Practitioner

Graduate of surgical technology program
Independent first scrubs basic surgical procedures in general surgery, orthopedic surgery, ob/gyn surgery, genitourinary surgery and ENT.
Able to take call independently
Demonstrates ability to problem solve in relation to procedure being performed
Demonstrates a good attitude, professionalism and customer service
Applies base knowledge of A&P, medical terminology, microbiology and pharmacology for optimal surgical patient care
Applies basic knowledge of physics, electricity and chemistry
Demonstrates knowledge of sterile technique during surgical procedures
Applies the principles of sterile technique during surgical procedures
Participates, as desired, in orientation and training program to attain competency in complex cases and achieve Level II: Proficient Practitioner

Competencies:

Demonstrates the knowledge and practice of basic patient-care concepts
Demonstrates the application of the principles of asepsis in a knowledgeable manner that provides for optimal patient care in the OR
Demonstrates basic surgical case preparation skills
Demonstrates the ability to perform the role of first scrub on all basic surgical cases
Demonstrates responsible behavior as a health care professional

Level II: Proficient Practitioner

Meets the criteria stated in Level I
Has a minimum of one year experience and demonstrates a higher level of critical thinking skills and problem solving skills in relation to anticipating the perioperative needs of the patient and surgeon
Demonstrates advanced knowledge and proficient practice in the first scrub role in majority of cases
Applies knowledge of advanced surgical procedures
Applies knowledge related to emergency situations and surgical procedures in the OR
Exhibits a higher level of collaboration with peers in making decisions related to surgical patient care
Assists in performing circulating skills and tasks
Performs the preceptor role in the training of students
Participates, as desired, in program to achieve Level III: Expert Practitioner

Competencies

Demonstrates all competencies required for the CST: Level I Practitioner
Demonstrates advanced knowledge and practice of patient care techniques
Demonstrates advanced knowledge and aseptic and surgical technique
Demonstrates advanced knowledge and practice in the role of the first scrub
Demonstrates knowledge and practice of circulating skills and tasks.
Demonstrates knowledge related to OR emergency situations
Demonstrates advanced organizational skills
Demonstrates advanced knowledge in one or two surgical specialty areas
Demonstrates a professional attitude
Preceptor for students

Level III: Expert Practitioner

1. Meets the criteria stated in Levels I and II

2. Demonstrates superior knowledge of the various surgical equipment and advanced surgical instrumentation

3. Demonstrates superior knowledge and expert practice in the first scrub role in advanced surgical procedures

4. Serves as a mentor and role model

5. Demonstrates skills in organizing and coordinating the effective use of personnel and materials

6. Develops, organizes and delivers continuing education topics and/or courses

7. Performs the preceptor role in the training of new hires

8. Participates, as desired, in program to achieve Level IV: Specialist Practitioner

Competencies

Demonstrates all competencies of Levels I and II
Demonstrates superior knowledge and practice of patient care techniques
Demonstrates superior knowledge of aseptic and surgical techniques
Demonstrates superior knowledge and practice in the role of the first scrub or in the defined management position.
Demonstrates advanced knowledge and practice of circulating skills and tasks
Demonstrates advanced knowledge related to OR emergency situations
Demonstrates a professional attitude
Preceptor for new hires

Level IV: Specialist Practitioner

Meets the criteria stated in Levels I, II and III
Demonstrates outstanding knowledge in one or two surgical specialty service.
Demonstrates leadership abilities
Demonstrates knowledge of department fiscal requirements
Participates in decision-making activities related to evaluating and acquiring surgical equipment, instruments and supplies
Responsible for competencies in surgical techniques and equipment for specialty service
Obtains certification in surgical technology and maintains certification by participating in continuing education activities or retesting.

Competencies
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