Association of Surgical Technologist's Job Description

Job Description: Surgical Technologist

Role of the Surgical Technologist

The following description of the surgical technologist has been approved by the American College of Surgeons and the Association of Surgical Technologists:

The surgical technologist handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. He/she has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon. He/she has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field.

Preoperative Duties are as follows

1. Donning OR attire and personal protective equipment (PPE).
2. Gathers, checks and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure.
3. Performs the surgical scrub, and donning gown and gloves.
4. Sets up the sterile back table and Mayo stand with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure.
5. Performs initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator.
6. Assists the team members with gowning and gloving.
7. Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.
8. Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out procedure.
9. Secures tubing, cords and other sterile accessories.

Intraoperative Duties are as follows

1. Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment and supplies for usage during the procedure.
2. Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedure.
3. Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure.
4. Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.
5. Sponges or suctions the operative site.
6. Applies electrocautery to clamps on bleeders.
7. Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon.
8. Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
9. Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure.
10. Performs additional counts as necessary.
11. Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices.
12. Prepares and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate.
13. Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.
14. Assists other members of the team with terminal cleaning of room.
15. Assists in prepping the OR for the next patient.
16. Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.

Additional Duties

1. Review the patient's chart, identifies patient, verifies surgery to be performed with consent forms, and brings the, patient to the assigned operating room.
2. Assists with transferring patient to the operating room table.
3. Monitors the comfort of the patient and provides verbal and tactile reassurance to the patient.
4. Assists in maintaining normothermia.
5. Assists the anesthesia provider.
6. Assists with positioning the patient, using appropriate equipment and anatomical principles to avoid patient injury.
7. Applies the electrosurgical grounding pad.
8. Assists with applying tourniquets and monitors before the procedure begins.
9. Completes the patient skin prep prior to draping by the sterile surgical team.
10. Performs instrument, sharps, and sponge counts with the surgical technologist in the first scrub role prior to the operation and before the incision is closed.
11. Anticipates additional supplies needed during the procedure.
12. Keeps accurate records throughout the procedure.
13. Properly cares for specimens.
14. Secures dressings after incision closure.
15. Helps transport the patient to the post anesthesia care unit.
16. Performs urinary catheterization.
17. Updates and keeps accurate records of the surgeon's preferences.