Surgical Scrub Technician

The Surgical Scrub Technician or the Certified Surgical Scrub Technician is a member of the surgical team who works with surgeons, anesthesia personnel, RNs, and other surgical personnel in delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during and after surgery procedures.

• Demonstrates knowledge of surgical procedures and the scrub tech role in performing these procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of equipment and its use in the surgical environment.
• Demonstrates knowledge of a surgical scrub technician’s duties before, during and after the surgical case.
• Assembles supplies, equipment, instruments, and all necessary items for scheduled surgical procedures in accordance with physicians’ preference cards.
• Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his or her responsibilities related to general safety, center/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.
• Correctly uses, cares for, cleans, and sterilizes instruments, supplies and equipment as directed.
• Assists in maintaining adequate supplies in the operating room for immediate access during the procedure as well as storing and stocking supplies as directed.
• Maintains and updates instruments cards / tray lists and surgeons’ preference cards regularly.
• Follows the center exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens.
• Reports observed or suspected breaks in sterile technique and acts according to policy.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
• Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a center/unit team inter- and intra-center to facilitate the center’s ability to meet its goals and objectives.
• Maintains accurate documentation related to all sterilization records, cleaning forms, logs, and the like.
• Assumes all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• RISE – The extent to which an employee demonstrates participation in the RISE Program
  • Respect Caring – Demonstrating an awareness for compassion toward all stakeholders
  • Integrity – Being true to what we say we believe in, doing what we say we will do and adhering to our commitments
  • Stewardship – Responsibility to properly utilize and develop our people. Property and assets while fostering a safe and secure environment
  • Efficiency – Appropriate identification, selection and management of all resources to ensure excellent clinical and financial outcomes
• Quality – The extent to which an employee’s work is accurate, thorough and neat.
• Productivity – The extent to which an employee produces a significant volume of work efficiently in a specified period of time.
• Job Knowledge – The extent to which an employee possesses the practical/technical knowledge required on the job as evidenced by the annual competency assessment
• Reliability – The extent to which an employee can be relied upon regarding task completion and follow-up.
• Attendance – The extent to which an employee is punctual, observes prescribed work break/meal periods and has an acceptable overall attendance record.
• Independence – The extent to which an employee performs work with little or no supervision.
• Creativity – The extent to which an employee proposes ideas, finds new and better ways of doing things.
• Initiative – The extent to which an employee seeks out new assignments and assumes additional duties when necessary.
• Adherence to Policy – The extent to which an employee follows safety and conduct rules, other regulations and adheres to company policies. (Compliance, Risk, Safety, Infection Control, Sentinel Events, Abuse, etc.)
• Interpersonal Relationships – The extent to which an employee is willing and demonstrates the ability to cooperate, work and communicate with coworkers, supervisors, subordinates and/or outside contacts.
• Judgment – The extent to which an employee demonstrates proper judgment and decision-making skills when necessary.

• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, patients, physicians and the general public.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistics. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Computer Skills: Job requires specialized computer skills. Must be adept at using MS word, communicate by e-mail and use scheduling software. (Add computerized EMR if applicable)
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Special Requirements: Must be able to work variable hours and be flexible to meet the needs of the center’s daily surgery schedule.
• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is required to lift patients, assist a patient that is falling, and carry heavy medical equipment.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee is frequently required to attend to patients and escort them to and from patient care areas, often being leaned on for support. Upper body strength, for lifting or helping patients out of bed, is also a must.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock and vibration.

Medical facilities need to be as clean as possible, and excellent hygiene is required to keep patients clean and safe from sickness and infection. Has Category 1 risk of exposure to infectious diseases, but receives training in hand washing practices and Universal Precautions and has access to personal protective equipment if direct exposure is anticipated. Is subject to interruptions, noise, and odors daily.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

All operating room instrumentation, video equipment, power equipment, laser and smoke evacuators, microscopes, OR beds, sterilization equipment, clinical equipment used for patient care, including, but not limited to suction equipment, stretchers, blanket and fluid warmers. Office equipment, i.e. computers, copy machines, telephones, public address system, and fax machine.

This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

The surgery center promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace which includes reasonable accommodation of otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees so long as this does not create an undue hardship on the company or affect the health and/or safety of others at work. Please see your supervisor should you have any questions about this policy or these job duties. This job description may not be all inclusive and employees are expected to perform all other duties as assigned and/or directed by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified when deemed appropriate by management.