Surgical Technician

The Surgical Technologist is responsible for assisting in nursing care and surgical services under the Registered Nurse’s supervision. Activities are based on accepted standards of the Operating Room practice and are performed within the scope of education, training, and experience. The Surgical Technician will work to provide excellent care to patients of all ages, from adolescents to geriatrics.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

Operating Room Preparation 

• Review the Operating Room schedule to obtain as much patient information as possible

• Check doctor’s preference card; check surgeon’s preference list for special needs and keep preference list current

• Assist in collecting necessary and anticipated instruments, supplies, and equipment for each procedure

• Open only those items required for the case; leave “hold” items unopened but readily accessible

• Maintain adequate supplies and equipment assuring the OR is properly prepared prior to each case

• Scrub and assess set‑up prior to patient entering the surgical suite

• Restock surgical suites to predetermined par levels by end of shift

Intraoperative Responsibilities 

• Anticipate, identify, prepare, and correctly pass surgical instruments to the surgeon

• Maintain pace to keep the surgery on schedule

• Connect, test, and perform safety checks on all electrical surgical equipment and monitors

• Decrease procedure time by demonstrating exemplary organization techniques

• Assist in patient positioning as needed

• Assist in the turnover of the OR in preparation for the next case

• Clean and mop Operating Rooms between cases to aid in turnover time

• Deep clean assigned ORs and close down OR at end of shift

• Perform surgical hand scrub in accordance with established policy

• Adhere to policy on material counts and instrument counts

• Handle specimens properly and according to hospital policy

• Work collaboratively with the Registered Nurse regarding patient care needs

Aseptic & Sterile Technique 

• Practice optimal aseptic techniques including proper attire, PPE, handwashing, isolation techniques, and limiting conversation

• Ensure optimal sterility by wiping down surfaces, inspecting sterile items, maintaining sterile awareness, and discarding questionable items

• Keep instruments free of gross soil during surgical procedures

Instrument Handling & Processing 

• Arrange dirty instruments appropriately in mesh bottom trays before transport

• Open instrument box locks and/or strings

• Disassemble instruments with removable parts

• Position scissors and lightweight instruments on top

• Position heavy retractors in the bottom of tray

• Separate reusable sharp instruments from general instrumentation

• Decontaminate, dry, and store scopes and cameras properly

• Clean equipment with approved hospital solution before and after use

• Pull/remove and report broken or dull instruments

• Demonstrate competency in processing instruments using prevac/gravity sterilization and Steris System One

• Demonstrate competency in cleaning reusable items

• Restock supplies and notify appropriate personnel of shortages

• Operate washer/disinfector correctly

• Determine appropriate care methods for instruments including removal of protein and corrosion

• Accurately log items received in the DECON Area

• Clean/decontaminate fiber optic endoscope

• Set up suctions for proper cleaning per protocol

• Report and document missing or broken tray items

• Meet quality assurance needs by adhering to sterilization record policies

Sterilization Competencies 

• Perform and read sterilization test results including Bowie‑Dick, biological indicators, chemical indicators, and incubator cleaning

• Utilize proper loading techniques for sterilizers

• Explain functional operation of sterilizers including cycle, temperature, time, drying, and door operation

• Shut down and clean sterilizer according to instructions

• Change and date charts daily; read charts to check sterilizer functioning

Professional Responsibilities 

• Attend required orientations, staff meetings, and in‑services

• Demonstrate commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care

Reporting Structure 

• Reports to: Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse, and Circulator

• Supervises: None

Qualifications

Education 

• Minimum Required: High school diploma and successful completion of an accredited Surgical Technology program

• Preferred: Not applicable

Experience 

• One (1) or more years in an inpatient hospital setting preferred

Certifications & Licensure 

• Certification by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting preferred

• Must hold an active, unexpired BLS certification

• Must be licensed by the Board of Medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia to practice as a Surgical Technologist or Certified Surgical Technologist