Surgical Technologist II-Certified

Overview

UnityPoint-St Luke's

Full-Time

M-F 7am-3:30pm plus call

The Surgical Technologist II-Certified is responsible for performing surgical technologist duties, leveraging high proficiency in surgical techniques, and exercising critical thinking to support complex procedures. The role guides entry level Surgical Technologists, maintains adherence to safety and infection control protocols, and actively contributes to the development of departmental policies and protocols. The role also assists with onboarding new surgeons, supports the trialing of new equipment and instruments, and helps manage surgical inventory to align with surgeon preferences.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Clinical Excellence

• Ensures a safe, efficient and surgical environment by assembling and verifying the functionality of necessary instruments, equipment, and supplies according to the surgeon's preference cards.  Exercises critical thinking in complex surgeries and performs technologist duties with high proficiency in emergency situations.  Prepares patient for surgery by scrubbing, draping, and positioning, and participates in postoperative care by transferring patients to therecovery room, applying dressings, and ensuring proper documentation.  Applies and maintains sterile techniques throughout the procedure, ensuring aseptic conditions and the integrity of the environment.  Performs required surgical counts in accordance with the organization’s policy, and handles specimens appropriately for proper preparation, labelling, and transport to the lab.  Supports the surgeon by holding retractors, passing instruments,applying suction, and cutting sutures as directed.  Serves as a second circulator under the direction of the Registered Nurse (RN) circulator

Departmental Support

• Assists in cleaning and restocking of operating room between cases and procedures, ensuring all instruments, cleaning supplies, and equipment are ready for the next procedure.  Enforces infection control measures and safety protocols while observing and reporting any safety concerns promptly.  Adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) guidelines, maintaining safety during each procedure.  Participates in departmental meetings and contributes to thedevelopment and implementation of department policies and procedures.  Supports trialing and onboarding of new equipment and instruments, maintaining communication with surgeons regarding updates and additions.  Assists in managing the inventory of surgical instruments and supplies, ensuring alignment with surgeon preference cards.

Leadership

• Acts as a stand-in for the Surgical Tech Lead and as a preceptor, offering guidance on scrub duties to junior staff, students, surgical technologists, and Registered Nurses (RNs).  Assists with onboarding and orientation of new surgeons, ensuring their equipment and instrumentation needs are met.

Qualifications

• Education:  High school diploma or GED. Graduate from an accredited education program for Surgical Technology, OR graduate from an appropriate training program in the US Armed Forces OR Medical Certification OR completion of accredited LPN program required.
• Experience: 1 year previous surgical technologist or equivalent experience required.
• License/Certifications:  Certified Surgical Technologist obtained within one year through one of the following: National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting.  National Center for Competency TestingORCurrent Licensed Practical Nurse in the state(s) of practice, including eligibility under a NLC multistate license required upon hire.
• Basic Life Support, American Heart Association.  IA Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care.  IA Adult Dependent Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:   Understanding of surgical procedures and protocols, and ability to maintain a sterile field to prevent contamination.  Knowledge of preoperative and postoperative care, including patient positioning,draping, and dressing application.  Proficient in handling surgical instruments, operating room equipment, and performing surgical counts.  bility to meticulously focus on every aspect of a task or procedure, ensuring accuracy and precision in every action.  Adherence to infection control, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other safety standards to ensure a safe surgical environment.  Ability to anticipate surgeon’s needs and respond swiftly to changes during procedures, recognize and troubleshoot equipment issues during surgery and adapt quickly to unexpected changes in surgical room. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with the surgical team, ensuring proper coordination and patient safety. Ability to work seamlessly with surgeons, nurses, and other healthcareprofessionals to provide optimal patient care. Knowledge of preoperative and postoperative care, including patient positioning, draping, and dressing application.