Surgical Technician Lead - Ortho Service Line - Mercyhealth

This Surgical Technician - Lead position is aligned with our Ortho service line. 

Works under the direction of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgicalprocedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operativeprocedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterileand aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools andtechnologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.Collaborates with lead RN in the specialty to address surgeons' requestsand preferences. Performs in the role of Surgical First Assist as needed. May include day, evening, night, weekend, holiday, and/oron-call hours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Surgical Technician 3 - Lead handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure.  Has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon.  Has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field.  Assists the rest of the hospital-based surgical team before, during, and after surgery by performing the following duties:

• Checks instruments, supplies, and equipment needed for surgical procedures.   
• Scrubs, gowns, gloves, and sets up sterile table with instruments and supplies, equipment and medications/solutions needed for each procedure
• Assists with patient placement and positioning on the table.  Assists in draping sterile field according to procedure/physician preference.
• Performs appropriate counts for sponges, needles, and instruments with circulator according to policy prior to the operation and before incision is closed.
• Gowns and gloves surgeon and assistants.  Creates and maintains sterile field.  Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during procedure.
• Passes instruments, etc. to surgeon during procedure.  May sponge operative site, hold retractors during surgery, cut suture and cauterize previously clamped vessels as directed by surgeon.  Prepares sterile dressings.
• Assists other members of team with cleaning the operating room after each procedure.  Assists in prepping room for the next patient.
• Participates in department performance improvement activities.
• Maintains positive interpersonal relations with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team to promote a collaborative approach to providing efficient and high-quality patient care.
• Understands age-related patient care needs, and provides care appropriately.
• Able to adapt to the needs of each physician’s needs, requests, and preferences.
• Assists department educator with specialty-specific training of new surgical technologists.  Plans and coordinates specialty-specific training after new technologists have completed initial orientation and are assigned to a call team.
• Periodically reviews surgical case schedule for loaner, new, or otherwise special instrument, supply, or equipment needs/requests.
• Coordinates new product evaluations.  Orders and restocks supplies.  Assists with maintenance of department inventory.

OR Buyer Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Coordinates all activities related to procurement of a commodity beginning with intent to purchase through delivery.
• Analyzes the requirements of the commodity, including preliminary specifications, preferred supplier, and date commodity is needed.
• Solicits and evaluates proposals for the requested commodity.
• Investigates and/or interviews potential suppliers to determine if they meet the specified requirements.
• Advises team members or management on the appropriate supplier to be used.
• Assures that the commodity is delivered on schedule, at the negotiated price, and meets the quality standards of the company.
• Maintains timely control of orders, amendments, shipping notices, and other documents to assure accurate retention of records.
• Coordinates appropriate methods needed to distribute commodity in a cost effective manner.
• Verifies accuracy of implant and consignment usage documentation in EPIC, including pricing.
• Confirms pricing and contract compliance prior to issuing purchase orders.
• Reviews surgery department requisitions for completion and accuracy, and issues purchase orders accordingly.
• Ensures appropriate shipping timeframes to meet the needs of OR staff and the surgery schedule.
• Issues bill-only and consignment replenishment POs for items used in surgery.
• Issues bill-only POs for contracted services and rental equipment provided for surgery.
• Performs research, sourcing, and requisitioning for new and replacement minor equipment, including surgical instrumentation.
• Coordinates surgical instrument repair process, including soliciting quotations, securing appropriate approvals, preparing requisitions, issuing purchase orders, and shipping and receiving.
• Monitors surgeons’ special requests for implants and supplies, and coordinates with OR and suppliers for timely delivery.
• Monitors surgeons’ special requests for loaned instrument and implant sets, and coordinates with OR and suppliers for timely delivery, sterilization, restocking, and return.
• Performs all functions with exceptional accuracy and timeliness.

Sterilization Coordinator cultivates and nurtures positive relationships between the OR and Sterilization departments by performing the following duties:

• Performs periodic quality and service-focused rounds on key customers.  Daily rounding in expected in the OR, and routine but less frequent contact with other hospital and ambulatory departments is expected.
• Assists the OR staff in preparing the OR suite for surgery by assisting in instrument opening and set-up.  Communicates with OR staff prior to case starts to identify specific instrument and supply needs and ensures these items are available.  Must be able to resolve issues or offer alternatives when necessary.  Assists in removing unused, unsterile, or soiled instrumentation and supplies from the OR.
• Receives and responds to problem calls from OR and other customers.  Coordinates issue resolutions, rapid turnovers, immediate use sterilization, and service recovery activities.
• Collaborates with OR regarding loaner, new, damaged, or otherwise special instrumentation and supplies.  Assists in the routine sharpening and service of all instrumentation by identifying sets that need attention by the repair contractor.
• Makes recommendations to OR team leadership as needed for preference card updates.
• Prioritizes, assigns, and directs work for Sterile Processing  and  Materials Techs; monitors productivity and adjusts assignments to meet demand; expedites rapid turnovers and just-in-time requests; monitors staff performance and provides feedback; addresses complaints and resolves problems and conflicts.
• Maintains a working knowledge of all surgical instrumentation and all technical competencies of the Sterile Processing Tech role.  Performs duties of Sterile Processing Tech as needed.  Completes at least 10 credit hours of continuing education per year.  Performs all duties with a commitment to excellence in quality and customer service

Surgical Technologist Education Coordinator cultivates and nurtures positive relationships between the OR and Sterilization departments by performing the following duties:

• Serves as primary educator for new surgical technology staff on their units
• Participates in education as appropriate for the Electronic Medical Record, especially as it relates to clinical content
• Is a mentor for new employees and new graduate surgical technologists by supporting the new employee.
• Conducts periodic educational needs assessments and develops educational programs based on the identified needs.
• Identifies clinical learning needs through use of a variety of methods including observation, staff meetings, occurrences, unit-based data and partner input
• In collaboration with unit leadership and nursing educator, creates an annual calendar of planned educational offerings and updates throughout the year
• Enhances partner growth through promoting attainment of national certification. Assists partners  in attaining education required to achieve national specialty certification and maintain same.
• Participates in unit-based meetings including department council and routine staff meetings, sharing upcoming learning opportunities along with identified needs within the department
• Implements innovative instructional methods for use in meeting the educational needs of all nursing department personnel.
• Coordinates outside consultants and trainers who conduct training on specific topics (i.e. vendors whose new products have been selected for use within the hospital).
• Maintains class evaluations of instructors, consultants, and trainers.
• Assists directors and clinical nurse specialists in maintaining unit bulletin boards.
• Obtains CEU’s for programs as appropriate
• Collaborates with others in order to provide monthly newsletters,
• Plans and hosts unit-based skills validations as appropriate to the department
• Coordinates and participates in teaching programs as appropriate for areas of expertise such as specialty specific scrub techniques.
• Participates in writing and updating policies/procedures as appropriate
• Maintains records for mandatory certifications of staff as appropriate for their units

Culture of Excellence Behavior Expectations

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations:

Quality - Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals.

Service - Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions.

Partnering - Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals.

Cost - Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required
Graduate of an CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program required
2 years or more of surgical technologist experience

Certification and Licensure

Certified Surgical Technologist through NBSTSA required
Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 days (other certifications per unit requirements: ACLS, PALS, PEARS, NRP)

Skills and Abilities
N/A
Special Physical Demands

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Level of Supervision

May directly supervise/mentor up to one surgical technician student. When acting as a preceptor, carries out those responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's and school's policies and applicable laws. Serves as an educator, nurturer, and role model for the student. Acts as a resource and is supportive of the student by sharing knowledge obtained through work and life experiences. Responsibilities include guiding and enhancing the learning of the student by providing options, ideas, meaningful feedback, and information with instruction when identifying problems, prompting the student to think on their own and work it out.

Supervises

Supervisory responsibilities are conducted in accordance with directives of management, the organization's policies, and applicable laws.