OR Technician/Surgical Technologist - Operating Room (OR) @ Hospital of University Of Pennsylvania

Responsibilities:

The Operating Room (OR) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) has an opportunity for a Surgical Technologist to join the team. The successful candidate will have the following responsibilities.

• Need for environmental safety, comfort
• Identifies patient according to HUP Policy before carrying out functions.
• Carries out HUP fire and safety regulations.
• Promotes infection control:
• Washes hands before and after patient contact.
• Carries out isolation procedures according to Infection Control Manual. Deals with blood and body fluids according to the standard precautions policy.
• Reports needle stick injuries to charge nurse.
• Reports exposure to communicable diseases and infections.
• Clinical Aseptic Technique
• Demonstrates principles of aseptic technique in clinical practice.
• Follows aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies.
• Sterilizes instruments and supplies in autoclaves as directed by Perioperative policies
• Follows department policy on scrubbing, setup, gowning and gloving.
• Observes for contamination and/or breaks in aseptic technique.
• Drapes the patient with sterile materials in the manner directed by the surgeon or RN circulator.
• Demonstrates proper handling of implants and prosthesis.
• Follows proper procedure for handling contaminated instruments after procedure i.e. cleans case cart
• after removing instruments.
• Uses appropriate instrument tables for each case i.e. back and side tables.
• Professionalism
• Aware of legal responsibilities regarding instrument, needles and sponge counts.
• Follows policy for case with incorrect counts, reports and documents discrepancies appropriately.
• Counts and signs items as dictated per OR count policies.
• Follows safe practice when drugs and solutions are placed on the sterile field.
• Labels all drugs and solutions properly.
• Assist in the proper labeling, handling of all surgical specimens.
• Utilizes policies and procedures as a resource
• Routinely attends in-service programs
• Follows Perioperative Call Policy
• Collaboration
• Demonstrates the ability to facilitate each case progression in a timely manner.
• When prompted provides relief staff with accurate report
• Knows when to seek help
• Technical Skills
• Modifies scrubbing procedures based on patient’s individual needs.
• Able to set up procedure in a timely manner.
• Responds to an emergency situation with the help of other team members.
• Initiative
• Makes professional use of downtime
• Acts as team player.
• Problem Solving
• Learns to identify and report defective instruments, supplies and equipment.
• Maintains a safe environment by learning and following safety rules.
• Communications
• Learns active communication skills
• Respects patient’s rights to privacy, safety and dignity i.e. HIPPA.
• Learns professional attitudes and behaviors.
• Teaching/Preceptorship
• Learns to share knowledge gained through participation in continuing education activities.
• Values
• Respects patient’s rights to privacy, safety and dignity.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Leadership
• Learns teamwork by assisting other team members in such activities as room cleaning, turnover, case set up, patient transport, instrument cleaning etc. in a timely manner.
• Continuous Quality Improvement
• Learns concepts of continuous quality improvement.

Education or Equivalent Experience:

• H.S. Diploma/GED (Required)
• Other (Required)
• Certification as Surgical Technologist or graduation from an approved practical nurse program OR 5+ years Related medical or hospital based surgical experience