GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
The Division of Plastic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital consists of 11 physician practices in three medical centers (Boston, Jamaica Plain, and Foxboro). The Division continues to strengthen and foresees additional growth opportunities in the coming years.
One of the areas managed by the Division of Plastic Surgery is a hospital-based Ambulatory Treatment Room. The room accommodates procedures requiring only local anesthetic and involves disciplines from across the hospital (eg, plastic surgery, surgical oncology, orthopedic surgery, urology, general surgery, etc.).
The Surgical Technician is a trained ancillary person who is responsible and accountable for the quality of care provided to the patient in the ATR. Major functions include, but are not limited to, preparation of the instrumentation, equipment and environment for the various surgical procedures performed. He/she works directly under the supervision of the Clinical Director of the ATR/WCC.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Prepares the instrumentation, supplies and equipment required for the various procedures performed within the ATR.
a. Maintains integrity of the sterile field, recognize and resolves any breaks in technique.
b. Anticipates the needs of the physician in order to facilitate the smooth and timely flow of the procedure.
c. Communicates essential information of the constantly changing requirements of the physician.
2. Prepares room for patient in a timely manner to promote efficient room utilization.
a. Ensures the efficient and effective cleaning of the ATR according to established protocols.
b. Ensures the presence of all supplies and equipment required for subsequent procedures.
c. Efficiently organizes procedure table with appropriate sterile supplies and equipment.
d. Checks for proper functioning of equipment.
3. Positions patient utilizing proper body mechanics and safety precautions.
a. Assists in the secure transfer of patients.
b. Performs proper patient safety measures.
c. Positions patient maintaining proper body alignment of patient and self.
4. Performs appropriate counts with circulator to verify removal of all countable items from surgical site in accordance with established procedure.
5. Cleans and restocks rooms utilizing knowledge of septic and aseptic technique.
a. Disposes of all waste materials according to established protocols. Pays particular attention to the disposal of hazardous (knife blades) or infected material.
b. Separates instrumentation into appropriate containers. Follows individualized protocols for the care and maintenance of specialized instrumentation.
c. Ensures the appropriate par levels of supplies and the presence of necessary equipment and furniture to prevent time consuming delays between procedures.
6. Receives (from RN or PA) medication passed onto the sterile field to be administered by the surgical team. Assists the circulator and surgical team in accounting for amounts of medications and irrigation’s administered.
7. Handles all surgical specimens according to procedure. Works with circulator to ensure proper labeling of specimen.
8. Ensures the availability of equipment and supplies.
a. In charge of kit and pack ordering from central processing on the day prior to procedure.
b. Manages any equipment sterilization that is required to be done on-site.
c. Checks for completeness of emergency equipment supplies.
d. Checks for expiration dates on sterile products.
e. Resolves any deficiencies identified.
9. Organizes, monitors, and maintains patient flow.
10. Keeps current regarding developments in technical instrumentation, trends and techniques through appropriate journals as well as internal and external educational programs.
11. Assists with and reinforces teaching and emotional support for patient and family during the perioperative phase.
12. Makes appropriate use of supplies, equipment and other resources helping to maintain a cost-effective program for patient, unit and institution.
13. Assists in evaluation of products, equipment and systems which may have an impact on planning and implementing the budget.
14. Keeps informed of personnel policies and incorporates them in behavior as indicated.
15. Supports training and education of the Medical Assistant in the ATR.
16. Perform any additional duties as assigned by physicians, Medical Director, Clinical Director, or Division Administrator.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Completion of an accredited surgical technologist program.
2. BS Degree preferred
3. 3-5 years of clinical experience in a surgical setting required; outpatient preferred.
4. Knowledge of patient care and aseptic technique is essential.
5. Personal attributes such as good judgment, dependability and initiative are necessary.
SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
1. Must have knowledge of septic and aseptic technique and be conscious of both at all times.
2. Must be aware of safety standards and hazards in the room.
3. Must have knowledge of patient positioning and assist circulator when necessary.
4. Must have knowledge of care and handling of surgical instruments.
5. Must have knowledge of care and safety hazards of all specialty equipment.
6. Understands the normal and recognizes deviation form normal within his/her specialty.
7. Demonstrates expertise on the use and maintenance of equipment and/or machinery required for area of specialty. Most of this is expensive highly technical equipment requiring expert handling and care.
8. Is aware of and utilizes accepted standards of care and participates in the evaluation of those standards.
9. Must have ability to recall past experience in order to anticipate surgical team needs.
10. Must posses interpersonal skills sufficient to interact efficiently with other members.
11. Must have ability to teach skills of a surgical technician to other health team members.
12. Work requires ability to carry through with identified skills as failure to do so may result in serious harm to patients, self or co-workers, i.e., infections, injuries, prolonged surgical and anesthesia times.
13. Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal skills to interact with physician, nurses, and hospital personnel under stressful situations.
14. Self-motivated with strong communication and customer service skills.
15. Strong clinical judgment.
16. Good organizational skills - required to prioritize tasks effectively.
17. Able to work successfully as part of a team.
18. Able to interact with ill patients and families to elicit desired responses to treatment and allay apprehensions.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Ambulatory Treatment Room with 1 treatment room, reception desk, waiting area, office, storage areas and sterilizing/work rooms.
The hours of the Ambulatory Treatment Room are 7:30AM to 4:00PM. In order to ensure adequate setup and cleanup time for procedures, the Surgical Technician is expected to work a shift from 7:15 AM – 4:15 PM with a lunch break from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (thus, 42.5 hours work/week). Further, the natural clinic flow may require that the individual potentially be available after the surgical day in order to prepare for and maintain an appropriate level of care to surgical patients.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital is an EEO, AA and VEVRAA employer.
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/careers
- Location: Boston, MA
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