Surgical Tech I

Job Summary:

Under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or physician and in accordance with the legal scope of competency and within established standards of care, policies and procedures: assists the physician during surgical procedures by performing scrub duties.

Essential Responsibilities:

• The Certified Surgical Technician demonstrates proficiency by exhibiting the following skills, competencies, and behaviors.

• Leadership Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.

• Demonstrates a professional, supportive attitude. Identifies and supports new ideas. Utilizes effective communication strategies, including chain of command and issue escalation, which result in intended outcomes.

• Participates in problem identification and resolution in collaboration with the Registered Nurse.

• Prioritizes work assignments appropriately to ensure completion of patient care activities and notifies Registered Nurse if unable to complete assignments.

• Complies with regulatory requirements, policies, procedures, and standards of practice. Nursing Process Correctly identifies patient and scheduled procedure.

• Performs patient care activities, within the scope of competency, considering age-related needs of the patient as assigned.

• Reports unusual findings to the Registered Nurse.

• Collects data and provides information in a timely manner to the registered Nurse which may assist within the revision of the plan of care.

• Discharge barriers are discussed with the Registered Nurse and intervention taken as directed.

• Clinical Outcomes Applies standard precautions; keeps a safe environment for self and others.

• Observes patient/family conditions and reports to Registered Nurse sudden changes or unusual findings.

• Demonstrates competencies during the probationary period and ongoing by completion of departmental competency validation.

• Transports patients, equipment, supplies, and specimens throughout the medical center utilizing proper body mechanics.

• Participates in departmental performance improvement activities, i. e. , planning, measuring/monitoring, assessing and improving.

• Assembles and ensures all equipment/supplies/instruments are appropriate, available, calibrated, and adjusted, in working order, sterilized per protocol and organized for upcoming procedure.

• Sets up and organizes room.

• Performs scrub role (e. g. , anticipates surgeons needs, pass instruments, cut sutures, hold retractors, obtain/process tissue samples) according to standard.

• Assists physician within scope of competency.

• Assists with transfer, transport, and stabilization of patient within the scope of competency.

• Cleans instruments, containers, and equipment according to established guidelines and reassembles packs, prepares for sterilization and/or returns to Central Processing.

• Operates sterilization equipment.

• Operates equipment safely and reports defective equipment upon discovery.

• Cleans, lubricates, and performs preventive maintenance.

• Utilizes computer systems effectively and efficiently.

• Customer Service Practices customer service standards as defined by the Service Area, Medical Center, and specific department.

• Anticipates the customers desires, takes proactive steps to meet those needs by listening and taking responsibility within scope to ensure issues are resolved.

• Assists members who are less than satisfied with their experience by listening and taking responsibility within their scope to ensure that the issue is resolved.

• Promptly answers call lights, alarms, and patient requests.

• Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, gives patients and their significant others the information needed within their scope of competency.

• Maintains and protects patient confidentiality.

• Assures a clean, orderly and functional work environment.

• Team Commitment Viewed by others to be an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others.

• Confronts difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.

• Takes accountability for own actions and accepts constructive criticism.

• Assists others unfamiliar to the department.

• Attends all mandatory meetings and inservices, a minimum of 50% of staff meetings, and actively participates in other departmental professional development (Requirement may vary for per diem staff).

• Participates with the assessment of current and future unit learning needs and development of annual educational plan.

• Keeps self-informed of activities on the unit and makes recommendation for change.

• Adheres to Regional Attendance Policy.

• Reports to assigned area promptly, being present and available for report at beginning of assigned shift. Minimizes personal phone call time.

• Supports a collaborative labor-management partnership environment.

• Fiscal Responsibility Organizes work to minimize the use of overtime.

• Identifies and assists in systems improvement that need simplification or correction.

• Utilizes payroll and non- payroll resources to their maximum potential.

Pay Grade: 24

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• One (1) year within the last three (3) years operating room scrubbing or equivalent military experience, including a variety of surgical procedures.

• Per the National Agreement, current KP Coalition employees have this experience requirement waived.

Education

• Graduate of an approved surgical technologist or military equivalent program.

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• National Center for Competency Testing Certificate - Technologist in Surgery from National Center for Competency Testing OR Surgical Technologist Certificate from National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting

• Basic Life Support

Additional Requirements:

• Position requires considerable walking, standing, moderate lifting, exposure to patient elements, and handling of emergencies and patient incidents within their scope of competency.

• Experience requirements may be waived or modified when an appropriate program or course is available and successfully completed.

• Maintains required certifications as applicable.

• Communicates in a clear, concise manner appropriate to the development stage of the patient.

• Has full command of the English language (written and verbal).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Some .