This position performs safe and effective patient care by passing and setting-up instruments to the Surgeon and protecting the sterile environment under the supervision of
the Registered Nurse to the patient in the Surgical Services Department. Employee interacts with patients and health care teams, while maintaining the Surgical Services Department’s standards. This position is responsible for cleaning, setting up, and stocking the operating room as well as sterilization of equipment, to ensure a safe and sterile environment for the surgeons and support staff.

Essential Functions:

• Assists RN in the nursing care and preparation of the surgical patient as required for the Surgical Department.
• Performs scrub duties in accordance with established regulatory guidelines and Surgical Services policies and procedures.
• Acts as technical assistance to the Surgeon by passing and setting-up instruments.
• Assists in the transport and supervision of patients as delegated by the RN. Ensures that adequate staff are available for transportation of infant, child or adolescent patients and that assistance is available to ensure the patient is not left unattended.
• Plans and organizes appropriately for surgical cases by selecting and preparing proper equipment and supplies. Ensures surgical instruments are clean, sterile in accordance with established regulatory guidelines to include packaging prior to use.
• Ensures that all instrumentation for surgical case is in the operating room prior to procedure and ready for use.
• Performs and documents appropriate daily / weekly / monthly controls on Autoclaves, Endoscopy reprocessing and sterilizers.
• Maintains inventory of supplies for the Surgical Services Department to facilitates, coordinates, and ensures charge
  capture of supplies as well as orders, as necessary in accordance with the hospital’s policies and procedures.
• Coordinates specialized equipment needs with the surgical team and/or ancillary departments prior to the commencement of the surgical procedure
• Uses patient care equipment safely according to established competencies and organizational policies Reports any identified equipment breakdown or malfunction by hospital policy.
• Verifies planned surgical procedure and surgical site.
• Organizes appropriately for each surgical case and Surgeon.
• Controls the surgical site environment to include instruments and item counts in the surgical services environment in accordance with AORN standards, departmental
  and hospital policies and procedures.
• Completes reports when there is an unusual occurrence and documents a description of what was seen on the variance report.
• Participates in the decontamination, cleaning and sterilization/high level disinfection of surgical instruments and endoscopes.
• Operates, monitors and maintains the Autoclaves, Instrument Washer, Ultrasonic washer, scope reprocessor, endoscope drying cabinet and Sterrad per manufacturer’s instructions
• Examines supplies meticulously to ensure they are properly cleaned and sanitized.
• Maintains records of sterilization/high level disinfection procedures, sterilized items, equipment maintenance, and supplies.
• Tests and reports any issues or problems with the sterilization equipment.
• Participates in sterilizing, preparing, wrapping, and organizing equipment into instrument trays for use during medical procedures.
• Helps with controlling the inventory, reordering supplies, and checking expiration dates.
• Participates in continuing education and in-services to ensure competencies and skills are current for the position.
• Demonstrates understanding of Joint Commission Safety Goals.
• Follows guidelines for performance improvement and demonstrates understanding of participation in the Core Measures for Lakeside Medical Center
• Utilizes protective padding specific to patient’s skin integrity status and position necessary for surgical procedure.
• Answers call for after hours emergency surgical procedures, reports to OR unit within thirty (30) minutes of receiving call. Complies with staffing and call rotation.
• Oversees validation of all new methodologies introduced to the surgical services area in relation to scrub techniques.
• Attends and participates in in-services as required.
• Performs duties in compliance with the Surgical Services Department’s and hospital’s policies and procedures.
• Performs duties in accordance with pathogen transmission practices; i.e., follows hand washing procedures and utilizes protective equipment effectively.
• Collaborates with other members of the surgical care team to ensure patient receives appropriate, safe and effective patient care.
• Participates with team members and manager to identify opportunities for improvement in patient care processes.
• Works as a team with other care providers; utilizing good communication skills, critical thinking, and checkpoints for team work.
• Participates in the orientation and mentoring of new staff members recognizing importance of bringing new staff into a friendly and supportive work environment.
• Demonstrates professional growth in continuing education which is applicable to unit assigned.
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to the hospital mission, philosophy, standards, policies and procedures. Recognizes all staff, physicians and visitors, as well as, patients as customers and provides courteous and respectful service.
• Demonstrates an understanding of responsibility in emergency plans and is available for patient care as needed or scheduled when hospital emergency preparedness plans are activated.
• Participates in hospital community activities and promotes the hospital within the community.
  Serves as a change leader, positively promoting changes implemented which improves the hospital and the service provided to its patients.
• Emergency duty may be required of the incumbent that includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters or to perform other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to threats or disasters, man-made or natural.

Education:

• High School diploma required. Certified Nursing Assistant/Certified Medical Assistant/Dental Assistant or successful completion of accredited Surgical Technician licensure program preferred

Experience:

• One (1) to two (2) years experience preferred

Certification:

• BLS Certification required. CRCST preferred.

Health Care District of Palm Beach County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.