13 week assignment. 

Participates as a member of the Perioperative team by performing direct and indirect Perioperative tasks for patients having surgical procedures.  Performs delegated patient care activities while ensuring patient safety.

Responsibilities: 

• Implements and communicates the age specific plan of care and gives thorough reports at change of shift and relief time.  Communicates with team members regarding the need for special equipment and supplies, and implementation of care per established policy.
• Participates in turnover activities and room set up for each surgical procedure, including connection of suction, electrical cords, power cables and electrocautery; break down of operating room following each surgical procedure; assists with ensuring adequate supply of stock for patient care.
• Monitors each case to ensure all infection control measures are met and all sterilization standards are adhered to.  Establishes and maintains a sterile field and monitors the aseptic technique of the surgical team; documents accordingly and takes corrective action, as necessary.
• Adheres to and monitors principles of aseptic techniques in the clinical environment including use of sterile instruments and supplies.  Follows procedure for decontaminating of all instruments used during the procedure and assists with instrument processing and sterilization.
• Maintains environmental controls and takes appropriate precautions regarding waste disposal.
• Performs sponge, sharp, and instrument counts with the RN according to policy.  Takes appropriate action when counts are incorrect. 
• Ensures appropriate and safe use of equipment and instrumentation prior, during and post-operatively.  “Second assists” as needed under the direction of the surgeon.  Correctly holds retractors as prescribed by the supervising physician; anticipates the need for surgical equipment and supplies and secures same.  Checks and or troubleshoots equipment for proper functioning prior to use and removes malfunctioning equipment for repair.
• Assists surgeon with patient care procedures including proper labeling of all specimens from surgical field, tapping mallet and cutting suture (licensed personnel only) and performing surgical skin prep.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience as a Surgical Technologist, required.
• Successful completion from a nationally accredited educational program for surgical technologist, and holds and maintains a certified surgical technologist (CST) credential administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), required.

OR (meets one for the following)

• Completed an appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
• Must be and remain in good standing with NYS regulations, required.
• BLS certification, preferred 
• Ability to function effectively in emergency situations.