Job Abstract

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.

• 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.