Surgical Tech Sr Job Code: 9953 FLSA Status: NE Mgt. Approval: J Barriere Date: 1/18 Department : HR Approval: M Buenger Date: 1/18 JOB SUMMARY The UWHC Surgical Technologist - Senior is the advanced full performance level position responsible for the performance of scrub functions during surgical procedures. The incumbent is highly experienced and can perform expertly as a scrub assistant in a surgical specialty. Through experience and continuing education this technologist has become an expert resource in the use and maintenance of the highly complex surgical equipment and instrumentation used in a surgical specialty. The UWHC Surgical Technologist - Senior possesses knowledge and skills required to assist in effectively caring for patients of all age groups (neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric). Work is performed under the general supervision of the Surgical Services Supervisor. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES The incumbent performs the following job responsibilities: I. Clinical A. Demonstrates expertise of principles of asepsis in clinical practice. (Competent) 1. Follows aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies. 2. Demonstrates ability to assemble and wrap instruments, instrument pans and other supplies for sterilization. 3. Sterilizes instruments and supplies in autoclaves as directed by hospital policy and procedure. 4. Follows departmental procedures in scrubbing, hand drying, gowning, and gloving. 5. Identifies contamination and/or breaks in aseptic technique and implements corrective actions. 6. Suggests improvements in draping techniques to improve sterility maintenance and decrease work. 7. Demonstrates knowledge and proper handling of surgical implants and prostheses. B. Role models safe, competent and efficient work practices within policies and procedures. (Accountable, Competent) 1. Demonstrates awareness of legal responsibilities and reason for complete accuracy when performing counts. 2. Follows policy and procedure for case with incorrect count and reports and documents discrepancies appropriately. 3. Demonstrates knowledge, purpose, and correct dosage of drugs and solutions used on surgical field. 4. Correctly labels drugs and solutions and monitors quantities used. 5. Assists in the proper preparation, handling, and labeling of surgical specimens. 6. Utilizes policy and procedure manuals as a resource. 7. Critiques and updates policies and procedures to reflect contemporary practice. C. Demonstrates the ability to facilitate each case progression in a timely and cooperative manner. (Competent, Accountable, Commitment to Excellence, Teamwork) 1. Identifies the appropriate resource personnel and materials in the operating room and utilizes resources when problems or questions arise. 2. Demonstrates awareness of procedural needs of other team members before and during surgical cases. 3. Places instruments, supplies and surgical drapes in an organized manner which will provide optimal accessibility during the course of the procedure. 4. Attentively anticipates the surgeon's needs and offers suggestions for safe and efficient patient care. 5. Provides expert assistance to the surgeon, demonstrating understanding of the patient s anatomy and abnormalities which affect the surgical procedure. 6. Communicates concise and accurate report of surgical procedure to relief staff. D. Modifies approach to scrubbing procedures based on patient's individual needs. (Competent, Teamwork) 1. Recognizes pertinent patient information that requires modifying standard approach to care (i.e. patient's obesity requiring deeper retractors; allergy to medications, etc.). 2. Incorporates patient care information into scrubbing role. 3. Communicates with Operating Room team to plan for special patient care needs. 4. Adapts to alterations from case cart list, reservation card, surgery schedule, etc., readily. E. Establishes priorities when adapting to changing patient and unit situations. (Competent, Commitment to Excellence) 1. Maintains necessary skills across specialty teams for triage competency.
2. Functions in UWHC Surgical Technologist triage role. 3. Recognizes emergencies during surgical procedures and demonstrates ability to set priorities to assist the surgical team. 4. Effectively handles team call responsibilities. 5. Demonstrates knowledge of and responds appropriately to other Operating Room emergencies and hospital-wide disaster plans (fire, tornado, etc.) F. Assumes responsibility and accountability for assisting in effective management of the team and department. (Accountable, Teamwork) 1. Identifies and reports defective instruments, supplies, and equipment. 2. Inventories, receives, and stores supplies under the direction of the nursing supervisor. 3. Maintains a safe and healthy patient environment through inspection of facilities, correction of deficiencies, and application of health and safety rules. 4. Fills role of nursing assistant when departmental needs for additional support is requested. 5. Assists the circulating RN on complex cases. G. Demonstrates expertise in the operation of one or more complex machinery/equipment resources used in the Operating Room (for example: Laser, CUSA, laparoscopic system, etc.) (Competent) 1. Prepares equipment and related consumables through cleaning and sterilization so that it is ready for use. 2. Maintains appropriate inventory as necessary. 3. Guides the intraoperative use of the machine to assure safety and efficient use. 4. Serves as a troubleshooting resource in department for use of equipment. 5. Coordinates usage and loan of equipment to assure proper distribution and availability throughout the service. H. Completes more than specialty team competencies. (Teamwork, Commitment to Excellence, Competent) II. Education Self (Accountable, Commitment to Excellence) A. Assumes responsibility for meeting own learning needs using formal and informal resources. 1. Identifies and communicates educational needs. 2. Seeks supervision of performance when appropriate. 3. Seeks out learning experiences to maintain trauma/triage competency. 4. Shares knowledge gained through participation in continuing education activities. 5. Actively seeks information from other personnel and written aids when unfamiliar/uncomfortable with assigned procedure. Peer (Teamwork, Creative Leadership) B. Assists in creating an environment conductive to learning and sharing of area of expertise. 1. Precepts UWHC Surgical Technologists and NC s to scrub role. 2. Acts as a resource for all serve areas/specialties. 3. Participates in teaching, guiding, and evaluating the performance of other personnel. 4. Offers feedback in a spirit of helpfulness and respect for peers. 5. Assesses unit-wide learning needs and participates in planning activities to meet those needs. Students (Creative Leadership) C. Contributes to the learning experiences of students in cooperation with the instructor and other staff. 1. Knows content and objectives of students clinical course. 2. Acts as preceptor for specified student population with assistance of faculty and/or Educator(s). 3. Contributes to the evaluation of students' performance in the clinical setting. 4. Functions as a positive role model. III. Leadership A. Contributes and supports the effective management of the unit. (Creative Leadership, Teamwork)
1. Demonstrates flexibility in accepting changes in assignment and willingness to work outside of specialty service. 2. Facilitates teamwork by willingly assisting other team members in such activities as room cleaning, turnovers, case set-ups, patient transport, instrument cleaning, etc., in a timely manner. 3. Initiates cost control by efficient use of patient and unit supplies through quality control and materials management. 4. Demonstrates initiative in carrying out projects independently. B. Communicates effectively with patients, families, professionals, supportive personnel and others. (Accountable, Teamwork, Competent) 1. Displays professional attitudes and behaviors (egg. trust, respect, honesty and caring). 2. Participates in and supports others in group decision making. 3. Demonstrates behavior which results in expressed acceptance from co-workers and colleagues from other disciplines. 4. Demonstrates effective strategies to manage stress and resolve conflict. 5. Respects patients' rights to privacy, safety, and dignity. IV. Quality Improvement/Research A. Assists quality assurance/improvement and research activities. (Commitment to Excellence) 1. Participates in data collection. 2. Identifies recurring practice problems in specialty areas and reports to appropriate individual, and participates in problem resolution process. 3. Participates in data collection for research projects under the direction of an RN. V. Communication A. Identifies personal strengths and areas for an improvement as a communicator. (Accountable, Commitment to Excellence) B. Communicates effectively in written and oral mode. (Commitment to Excellence, Competent) 1. Uses approved abbreviations, professional language and language skills, (grammar, spelling, format) in written and spoken communication. 2. Reads documentation (case cart lists, memos, minutes, etc.) in a timely manner. 3. Incorporates humor as appropriate. 4. Adapts speaking style to the current situation. C. Provides honest, direct, and respectful communication to peers, colleagues, patients, and families. (Commitment to Excellence, Creative Leadership) 1. Oral communication with patient, families, and members of the health care team is clear, concise, professional, tactful, therapeutic, and appropriate to the situation. D. Gives appropriate feedback and remains open to feedback from others. (Commitment to Excellence, Creative Leadership) 1. Appropriately accepts constructive feedback. E. Recognizes and demonstrates congruence between verbal and non-verbal behavior. (Commitment to Excellence, Creative Leadership) 1. Body language, facial expression, and tone of voice are congruent with verbal message and appropriate to the situation. 2. Recognizes and accurately interprets the non-verbal behaviors (e.g. eye contact, facial expression, gestures, posture, and amount of space put between self and another) of others. F. Demonstrates effective listening behavior. (Commitment to Excellence, Teamwork) 1. Examples of active listening skills are: attentive facial expression; a comfortable amount of eye contact with speaker; non-threatening, natural gestures; open posture; comfortable distance between self and another; and uses reflection, paraphrasing, clarifying, and perception checking as appropriate. G. Demonstrates basic use of computers as appropriate to practice. (Commitment to Excellence, Competent)
1. Identifies areas of improvement of preference lists. Shares expertise in further development. 2. Is open to learning new computer skills/applications, as needed. H. Resolves conflict situations using theoretical frameworks and established lines of communication. (Teamwork) 1. Uses one-on-one communication in initial attempts at conflict resolution. 2. Uses appropriate resources (e.g. Surgical Services Supervisor, Clinical Nurse Manager, Clinical Operations Manager) to assist with difficult conflicts. I. Documents appropriately. (Commitment to Excellence) 1. Completes occurrence screens appropriately. J. Reports identified patient related problems using the appropriate supervisory channels and processes. (Accountable, Commitment to Excellence, Creative Leadership) 1. Reports identified patient/family or unit related problems to the charge nurse/designated resource. VI. Values A. Integrates personal values with UWHC Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Goals. (Commitment to Excellence, Creative Leadership) 1. Verbalizes own values and how they may impact on practice. 2. Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to changes. B. Accountable for personal actions in advocating for patients/families, nursing, and the health care environment. Commitment to Excellence, Accountable, Creative Leadership) 1. Preserves privacy and dignity of patients. 2. Maintains patient confidentiality. 3. Seeks available resources to help with ethical issues (e.g. charge nurse, Surgical Services Supervisor, a member of Pastoral Care, Central Nursing Ethics Committee, and/or UWHC Ethics Committee). Job descriptions represent a general outline of job duties, functions, and qualifications. They are not intended to be comprehensive in nature and other duties may be assigned as appropriate. ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. JOB REQUIREMENTS Education Minimum Successfully completed an accredited surgical technologist program or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Work Experience Minimum One (1) year of scrub experience or equivalent relevant experience required. Licenses & Certifications Minimum Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Successful completion of service specific portion of the UWHC Surgical Technologist competencies. Strong communication skills/guest relations. Ability to function effectively as a team player. Excellent organizational/priority setting skill. On-call required. Call response time of 45 minutes (45 minutes from phone call, dressed in scrubs and reporting to charge nurse.) (For Inpatient and AFCH staff only, excluding permanent night rotation)
AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCY (Clinical jobs only) Identify age-specific competencies for direct and indirect patient care providers who regularly assess, manage and treat patients. Instructions: Indicate the age groups of patients served either by direct or indirect patient care by checking the appropriate boxes below. Next, Infants (Birth 11 months) Toddlers (1 3 years) Preschool (4 5 years) School Age (6 12 years) Adolescent (13 19 years) Young Adult (20 40 years) Middle Adult (41 65 years) Older Adult (Over 65 years) JOB FUNCTIONS Review the employee s job description and identify each essential function that is performed differently based on the age group of the patient. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Indicate the appropriate physical requirements of this job in the course of a shift. Note: reasonable accommodations may be made available for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Physical Demand Level Occasional Up to 33% of the time x Sedentary: Ability to lift up to 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, ledgers and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one, which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met. Light: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may only be a negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree. Medium: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting/and or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Heavy: Ability to lift up to 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Very Heavy: Ability to lift over 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds. List any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications: Frequent 34%-66% of the time Constant 67%-100% of the time Up to 10# Negligible Negligible Up to 20# Up to 10# or Negligible or constant requires significant push/pull of items of walking or standing, or negligible weight requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls 20-50# 10-25# Negligible-10# 50-100# 25-50# 10-20# Over 100# Over 50# Over 20# Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.