Operating Room Technician (Surgical Technologist) - University of Maryland Medical System

Located in Largo in the heart of Prince George’s County, our new state-of-the-art regional medical center (UM Capital Region Medical Center) will provide improved access to primary and ambulatory care services, and serve as a tertiary care center for critically ill patients. In addition, our new space will allow us to expand our offerings as a community partner to help improve the health status of Prince George’s County residents.

POSITION SUMMARY
Passes instruments to the operating team during operations, applying aseptic techniques. Arranges and inventories sterile set-up for operation. Performs other duties as assigned. Requires certification and previous experience or training in surgical procedures.

Principal Duties:
    1. Assist RN with patient admission to OR in a timely manner.

• a. Sets priorities and plans care according to patient’s surgical needs.
• b. Selects equipment, instrument and supplies in an organized manner.
• c. Identifies completeness and functioning of equipment instrumentation and supplies.

2. Shows awareness of patient’s needs: Physiological, Psychosocial, Safety, Emotional.
3. Provides input as to patient’s condition on admission to:

• a. Assesses appropriateness of selected equipment, instrumentation and supplies.
• b. Notifies RN of critical findings or changes following admission.

4. Supports cultural practices which do not harm others or interfere with plan of care regarding: 

• Disposition of limb/body part, Blood transfusions.

5. Follows surgical hand scrub policy.
6. Follows surgical gowning/gloving policy.
7. Prepares surgical instrumentation, equipment, and supplies.
8. Follows surgical sponge, sharp, and instrument counts policy.
9. Drapes or assists with draping using a surgical conscience/principles of asepsis.
10. Passes surgical instrumentation, equipment, and supplies.
11. Follows policy for handling of specimens and cultures.
12. Minimizes talking and noise level in operating room.
13. Assists, as delegated, with providing for the patient’s physical comfort.
14. Assists, as delegated, with patient bed transfers/patient transport.
15. Assists as delegated, with direct patient care needs.
16. Practices life-saving support measures as needed.
17. Practices aseptic technique during setup of surgical procedure.
18. Maintains aseptic technique during intraoperative phase.
19. Recognizes and reports breaks in aseptic technique in self and others.
20. Selects and uses proper mode of sterilization for instruments and supplies.
21. Places sterile equipment/supplies in proper area before admission of patient to operating room.
22. Checks for package integrity before opening items.
23. Opens sterile items without contamination.
24. Pours solutions correctly.
25. Cleans and organizes instruments and equipment on an ongoing basis.
26. Handles contaminated material properly.
27. Maintains traffic patterns in operating room and department.
28. Monitors self and others in and out of sterile field.
29. Prepares and operates mechanical, electrical, and power equipment.
30. Removes and labels malfunctioning equipment and instruments; reports to appropriate person.
31. Uses preference cards to secure and replace patient care equipment and supplies.
32. Practices standard precautions, including no-touch technique, handling hazardous and contaminated materials properly, and correctly disposing of sharps.
33. Demonstrates cost-effective use of supplies and equipment.
34. Practices principles of sanitation following completion of a procedure.
35. Cleans and restocks room for next procedure and/or at the end of each day.
36. Physiological and psychological responses.

• a. Prevention of infection.
• b. Maintenance of skin integrity.
• c. Prevention of injury from extraneous objects.

37. Identifies appropriate resources.
38. Delivers case – specific care to meet patient surgical needs.
39. Demonstrates effective interpersonal communication skills with staff and other health care team members (i.e., RN, physician, equipment tech., etc.).
40. Communicates accurate information/plan of care to team members (i.e., RN, physician, equipment tech., etc.).
41. Communicates with other team members concerning changes in patient condition with accurate/timely information to ensure continuity of patient care.

Customer Service: 
1. Greets customers in courteous, friendly, respectful and professional manner at all times, including maintaining eye contact when appropriate.
2. Follows communication protocols to both internal and external customers, including introducing him/herself with job title and experience, asking open ended questions, such as “How may I be of help to you?” using the customer’s name as soon as it is learned.
3. Responds promptly and appropriately to customer questions/concerns/complaints and attempts immediate resolution.
4. Keeps customer’s information confidential, including public places such as elevators or the cafeteria.
5. Provides assistance and offers help immediately, including finding someone else to meet the request, if unable to do so him/herself. Introduce other staff to customers when a hand-off occurs and explain that the person will provide excellent service.
6. Demonstrates commitment to excellent service recovery when a customer’s expectations have not been met. 

Commitment to Co-Workers:
1. Offers assistance to colleagues and other departments when needed.
2. Takes responsibility for solving problems regardless of origin; completes assignments, and respects deadlines.
3. Resolves conflict directly with colleagues and seeks assistance from others if the issue cannot be resolved. 
Refrains from criticism in public.
4. Mindful and respectful of others’ time and schedules. Attends meetings on time and communicates any absences. 
5. Provides co-workers with a status report for continuity of workflow when planning to be out of the office, off the unit, or away from the department.

Communication Etiquette: 
1. Respectful, courteous and professional in all forms of communication and follows facility’s service communication protocol in all interactions.
2. Refrains from use of personal cell phone in patient care areas and keeps usage to a minimum at all other times while on duty.
3. Does not text or use e-mail during meetings (except for exigent or emergency situations).
4. Limits use of business cell phone during meetings (remain on vibrate and/or calls go to voicemail).
5. Makes every effort to answer telephone calls within three rings, introducing him/herself, department and title (if appropriate). Asks permission before placing the caller on hold or using the speakerphone. If caller is transferred, gives the caller the extension number of the person he or she is being transferred to. Offers further assistance to the caller upon completing the conversation.
6. Maintains an appropriate voicemail message and when away from the office has an out-of-office email message that is brief, current, and includes name and department and offers the caller options if possible.
7. Returns email and voicemail messages promptly but no later than within one business day (24 hours).
8. Always mindful of voice and language in public.

Self Management:
1. Reports to work appropriately groomed and in compliance with the Hospital’s dress code. Wears identification badge at all times at chest level and facing outwards so identification is clearly visible.
2. Complete all assignments within deadlines or negotiates alternative actions and time frames in order to achieve desired outcomes. 
3. Completes mandatory, annual education and competency requirements. 
4. Follows UMCAP safety, infection control and employee health standards. 
5. Demonstrates responsibility for personal growth, development and professional knowledge and competency.
6. Adhere to all UMCAP and department policies and procedures, including Code of Conduct and professional behavior standards. Does not exceed Hospital guidelines in reference to attendance, punctuality, and use of sick and unplanned absences. Provides notification of absences, lateness and vacation requests according to department guidelines. Respects length of time for lunch and break times. 
7. Reviews, signs, and adheres to UMCAP and/or departmental confidentiality statement.

 

Licensure/Certification/Registration
Required: Certification from an accredited national certification program as a Surgical Tech.

Life Support Certification
Basic Life Support – Health Care Provider (BLS-HCP)

Education/Knowledge
Attained Level: Entry level

Applicable Experience
Experience (years): Required: Less than one year Preferred: 1 - 3 years
Experience (describe required & preferred): At least six (6) months as a OR Tech and/or training or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Off shift positions require cardiac and trauma proficiency. 

Technical/Clinical Skills
Microsoft Office Suite Skill Level 

• Word: Basic
• Excel: Basic

Basic knowledge and working experience with Medical Terminology

Problem Solving/Analytical Skills & Abilities 
Entry Level - Service

Level of Supervision Required
Works Under Constant Supervision

Contacts Inside & Outside Facility/Corporation 
Outside the Department but Within the Company

Working Conditions

• Lifting and/or carrying objects weighing 11 to 20 pounds
• Pushing and/or pulling non-motorized equipment (e.g., stretchers, supply carts, mops) weighing 20 to 50 pounds.
• Stooping and bending
• Reaching and grasping objects
• Grasping and fine manipulation with hands
• Walking for extended periods of time
• Ability to communicate verbally

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation

• Pay Range: $35.97-$41.36
• Other Compensation (if applicable):

Review the 2024-2025 UMMS Benefits Guide