DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves para-professional duties in preparing, equipping and maintaining a hospital operating room and assisting a surgical team in conducting operations. The incumbent performs a variety of duties directly related to the preparation for and conduct of surgical operations and post-operative cleanup of operating room areas and ensures that the operating room environment is safe, equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Work is performed under the direct supervision of higher-ranking professional nursing and medical staff. Supervision is not a function of this position. Does related work as required.TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:Prepares operating room and case cart with necessary sterile supplies and equipment;Assists in transporting patients to operating room;Assists in preparation of operative area of patient and in positioning patient;Assembles and prepares specialized equipment for surgical procedures, i.e. implants or devises;Assists surgical team by passing or holding retractors, instruments, sponges and sutures during surgical procedure and counts number used during operation to prevent retained surgical items;Assists in educating the surgical team regarding new products and procedures;Adjusts lights and other equipment as directed;Assists in maintaining overall sterile environment throughout the procedure;Receives, prepares and identifies all grafts, tissues and medications on a sterile field before passing to surgeon;Confirms the specimen verbally with the surgeon, writes down specimen identification upon receipt from surgeon and verifies specimen with circulating Registered Professional Nurse prior to passing it off the sterile field, maintaining chain of custody;Cares for and delivers operative specimens to laboratory;Assists other team members in moving patient to recovery room;Assists in clean-up of operating area, gathers instruments for sterilization, disposes of used linen, gloves, utensils, equipment and waste;Assists team members, as needed, during the recovery phase of the patient;Prepares and presents appropriate records and reports as required.FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of operating room instruments, procedures and equipment and their relation to medical and surgical practice; good knowledge of medical terminology used in operating rooms; good knowledge of specialized equipment and instruments needed for specific procedures, and ability to prepare these; ability to understand and carry out exactly detailed oral and written instructions; ability to prepare written records; ability to work with and gain trust and confidence of patients; emotional maturity; tact; dependability; capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma, and either: * Completion of a nationally accredited education program for Surgical Technologists and possession of a Certified Surgical Technologist Credential administered by a nationally accredited Surgical Technologist credentialing organization at the time of appointment* and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:
Completion of an appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Public Health Service Commission Corps*; or:
One (1) year of cumulative experience as a Surgical Technologist in a Healthcare Facility. The one (1) year of cumulative experience must have occurred between January 1, 2011 and January 1, 2015. This experience must be verified in writing*; or:
Is in the service of the Federal Government, to the extent the person is performing duties related to that service*.
*In accordance with Section 2824.3 of New York State Public Health Law.SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:Must annually complete fifteen (15) hours of continuing education to remain qualified to practice as a Surgical Technologist.Surgical Technologist means a person who performs surgical technology other than in the course of practicing as a healthcare professional in accordance with the surgery related tasks and functions listed in Section 2824-c of New York State Public Health Law.Healthcare Facility means a general hospital as defined by Section 2801.01 of New York State Public Health Law or hospital as defined by Section 2801.10 of New York State Public Health Law operating as a diagnostic and treatment center authorized to provide ambulatory surgical services.NOTE: There are limited situations, in accordance with Sections 2824.4 and 2824.7 of New York State Public Health Law, which allows persons who do not meet the minimum qualifications to be employed, employed for a limited period of time, or function as a Surgical Technologist.NOTE 2: Possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from an approved ECMCC provider within sixty (60) days of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.NOTE 3: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the full-time experience requirement.@Approved by Erie County
