Operating Room Technician II

Jones Memorial Hospital is seeking an Operating Room Technician II to join the surgical team in a full-time, day-shift position. Under the direction of the RN in charge, you will assist in providing nursing care and preparation of surgical patients, functioning as a member of the sterile team in gown and gloves. You will create and maintain the sterile field, pass instruments to OR team members, and provide preoperative and postoperative care.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the operating room with necessary supplies and equipment for anticipated procedures, setting up sterile instruments and anticipating additional supplies or instruments as needed
• Demonstrate knowledge and proper use of all equipment, including those used in specialty procedures such as laparoscopic, vascular, orthopedic, gynecologic, urologic, ophthalmologic, and ENT procedures
• Assist in the maintenance, care, and cleaning of instruments, assuming responsibility for safe handling and care to prevent patient injury or equipment damage
• Maintain constant awareness of aseptic technique and alert the team to potential breaks in technique
• Assist in transport, preparation, and positioning of patients; review pertinent chart information
• Apply monitoring equipment in the preoperative area as needed
• Utilize proper gowning and gloving techniques and assist surgeons and other surgical team members with gowning and gloving
• Assist the surgical team throughout procedures by anticipating and passing appropriate instruments, sutures, and sponges; adjust lights and equipment as directed
• Perform required sponge, needle, and instrument counts with the circulating RN before, during, and at close of procedure
• Handle and care for operative specimens correctly; may apply postoperative dressing
• Assist the team in safe transfer of the patient to the post-anesthesia care unit
• Complete cross-training and assist the RN in the PACU by applying monitoring equipment, monitoring vital signs, observing patients closely for changes in condition, and reporting changes to the RN promptly
• Transport stable patients to their room and provide comprehensive reports to receiving unit staff; complete documentation of PACU observations and interventions
• Complete cross-training and assist the RN in minor outpatient procedure rooms or ambulatory surgery units as needed
• Occasionally assist with emergency procedures in the ER or ICU
• Assist or assume responsibility for cleanup of the operating room, gathering instruments for cleaning, removing linens, gloves, utensils, equipment, and wastes; may operate decontamination and sterilizing equipment
• Maintain strict infection control principles and utilize universal precautions at all times
• Assist in maintenance of inventory and may order supplies as directed by the Nurse Manager of Surgical Services
• Demonstrate knowledge of proper handling of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes
• Demonstrate familiarity with fire and safety policies of the institution
• Actively utilize available resources to maintain competencies through attendance in college credit classes, outside inservices, and practice-related inservices; attend all mandatory programs
• Assist in meeting age-related needs of surgical patients and demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to provide care across the life span as directed by the RN
• May assist in the orientation process of others
• When staffing needs dictate, may work an alternate shift or be scheduled on an on-call basis; on-call staff must report within 30 minutes of receiving a call, and OR staff must report within 20 minutes of receiving a call

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing with current New York State license and registration as LPN, OR
• Certification as a Surgical Technologist by a nationally accredited credentialing organization, OR
• Completion of an appropriate training program as defined by New York State regulations at hire, OR
• Employment as a Surgical Technologist in a healthcare facility for at least one year within the four years immediately prior to January 1, 2015, OR
• Employment by the federal government performing related duties
• Non-certified individuals must obtain certification within the later of 12 months of hire or January 1, 2016
• If LPN: at least six months of medical/surgical nursing experience

Preferred Qualifications

• If LPN: three months of operating room experience

Physical Demands

• Stand and walk most of the day
• Assist in lifting patients and carrying instruments and supplies

Working Conditions

• Exposed to communicable disease, blood and body fluids, unpleasant odors, and irritating materials
• Subject to strains, cuts, and burns
• May work alternate shifts or on-call basis as needed

Schedule

• Full-time, days