Definition: An entry-level surgical technologist
demonstrates professionalism and communication skills, assists with surgical procedures,
provides surgical patient care, uses aseptic techniques, selects and handles
surgical instruments, and processes sterile supplies. An entry-level surgical technologist has a
working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and medical terminology.
A.
PRACTICE
PROFESSIONALISM
A.1 Performs legal, ethical, and moral responsibilities
A.2 Practices patient confidentiality, inside and outside the
hospital
A.3 Maintains a surgical conscience
A.4 Maintains job performance with professionalism
A.5 Follows hospital/facility policy regarding proper attire and
appearance
A.6 Demonstrates respect for patient, coworkers, and surgeons
A.7 Demonstrates teamwork and ability to work independently as
required for specific tasks
A.8 Demonstrates organization of work
A.9 Demonstrates economy of time, motion, and materials
A.10 Demonstrates
alertness and attention to tasks
A.11 Accepts
constructive criticism
A.12 Demonstrates
flexibility
A.13 Participates
in continuing education for new equipment, supplies, and procedures
A.14 Recognizes
value of certification
A.15 Develops
career ladder
B.
DEMONSTRATE
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
B.1 Acts as patient advocate
B.2 Reassures patient pre-op and post-op
B.3 Relays patient information to staff
B.4 Communicates verbally and non-verbally with team members as
appropriate
B.5 Reports
and records counts before, during, and after each procedure
B.6 Asks
questions to clarify tasks/directions
B.7 Follows
surgeon’s preferences
B.8 Checks
and updates surgeon preference cards
B.9 Analyzes
and responds appropriately to each case
B.10 Uses
telephone etiquette
B.11 Performs
basic computer skills; e.g., email, word processing
C.
PROVIDE
PATIENT SAFETY IN OPERATING ROOM
C.1 Identifies patient, procedure, and correct site
C.2 Provides
safe, efficient, supportive environment for patient
C.3 Monitors
equipment for working order
C.4 Locks
wheels of beds and transporting devices before moving patient
C.5 Checks
all tubes while assisting with moving patient to bed
C.6 Applies
safety strap on patient above knees at beginning of procedure
C.7 Observes
and maintains patient position; e.g., pressure points, padding, grounding
C.8 Maintains
sterile technique in field
C.9 Maintains
counts; e.g., instruments, sponges, sutures, sharps
C.10 Continuously
monitors for breaks in sterile technique of all team members and others in the
room
D.
PREPARE
OPERATING ROOM
D.1 Pulls case cart for new cases
D.2 Pulls supplies according to surgeon's preference; e.g.,
sutures, stapling devices, and specialty items
D.3 Gathers,
checks, and operates specialty equipment; e.g., video, laser, and endoscopic
D.4 Positions
bed according to surgical procedure
D.5 Checks
electrosurgical cautery unit
D.6 Connects
and tests suction
D.7 Checks
operating room spotlight
D.8 Follows
proper procedures for cleaning and maintaining equipment
D.9 Checks
supply cabinet
E.
SET UP
AND MAINTAIN STERILE FIELD
E.1 Checks for sterility prior to opening sterile supplies
E.2 Verifies
exposure to sterilization process and the integrity of sterile packaging
E.3 Selects
and applies personal protective equipment
E.4 Conducts
initial scrub
E.5 Gowns
and gloves using sterile techniques
E.6 Checks
instrument function and condition
E.7 Sets
up sterile field (back table and Mayo)
E.8 Develops
basic routine for placement of instruments for surgical field
E.9 Performs
all counts audibly and visually with the RN (circulator)
E.10 Labels
drugs and solutions
E.11 Observes
for and corrects breaks in sterile techniques
F.
HANDLE
MEDICATIONS
F.1 Follows operating room/facility policy for medications
F.2 Identifies medications with RN based on written label and
verbal inspection
F.3 Labels drugs and solutions on sterile field
F.4 Verbally identifies medications and irrigations when handing
to physician
F.5 Verbally
reports to RN and anesthesia amounts of medication and irrigation used
F.6 Properly
disposes unused amounts of medications and irrigations
G. PERFORM
INTEROPERATIVE CASE MANAGEMENT
G.1 Gowns
and gloves surgeon
G.2 Preps
and drapes patient according to procedure
G.3 Assesses
condition of equipment through observation and testing; i.e., continuous
process
G.4 Positions
lights
G.5 Identifies
all instruments and uses for instruments including multiple names for same
instrument
G.6 Passes
instruments and sharps following universal precautions
G.7 Passes
and cuts sutures
G.8 Performs
tasks associated with specialized procedures; e.g., laparascopic, microscopic,
endoscopic
G.9 Assists
the surgeon within scope of practice; e.g., retracts to expose anatomy
G.10 Keeps
field dry and clean; i.e., suction and sponge
G.11 Anticipates
surgeon’s needs
G.12 Adjusts
to unexpected changes in procedures
G.13 Initiates
corrective action when counts are incorrect
G.14 Assists
surgeon in stapling skin closure
G.15 Applies
sterile dressing according to surgeon’s preference, connecting drain reservoir
when appropriate and removing drape
G.16 Cleans
surgical area and checks patient for skin integrity
H. ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARING/HANDLING SPECIMENS
H.1 Identifies specimen and places in proper container
H.2 Prepares and labels according to hospital/facility policies
H.3 Follows chain of custody for foreign body removal
H.4 Follows hospital/facility policy for disposal of prostheses
I.
CLEAN AND
DISINFECT OPERATING ROOMS AND ADJACENT AREAS
I.1 Follows all universal precautions
I.2 Treats all cases as potentially infectious
I.3 Discards disposable instruments according to
hospital/facility policy
I.4 Cleans horizontal surfaces and equipment between cases
I.5 Organizes operating room and furniture
I.6 Conducts terminal cleaning according to hospital/facility
policy
J.
PROCESS SUPPLIES
AND INSTRUMENTS FOR STERILIZATION
J.1 Follows universal precautions
J.2 Checks for damage when opening, disassembling, and washing
instruments
J.3 Distinguishes between delicate and non-delicate instruments
and determines proper cleaning method
J.4 Processes appropriate instruments and equipment through
washer sterilizer
J.5 Uses instrument and inventory count sheet according to
hospital/facility policy
J.6 Inserts biological indicators
J.7 Assembles, wraps, dates, and labels instruments and supplies
into sets
J.8 Uses steam, steris, sterad, ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilizers,
or chemicals according to manufacturer
J.9 Processes instruments and supplies through terminal
sterilization and log
K.
ASSUME
RELATED DUTIES
K.1 Assists in emergency situations, such as
CPR, gathering emergency equipment, following evacuation procedures and
maintaining sterile field
K.2 Prepares case cart in advance for
next-day procedures
K.3 Demonstrates proper care and handling of
equipment
K.4 Assembles and uses non-surgical
equipment; e.g., fracture table, backframe, Allen stirrups
K.5 Cross trains in related areas; i.e.,
central supply, endoscopy, OB, cardiac cath lab
K.6 Performs and/or assists with circulating
duties
K.7 Assists anesthesia personnel as needed
K.8 Positions patient
K.9 Performs pre-op shave
K.10 Performs post-op scrub on patient
K.11 Transports patient
J.
MAINTAIN
INVENTORY SUPPLY
L.1 Checks for outdated supplies and
instruments
L.2 Rotates supplies and instruments
according to expiration date
L.3 Supplies operating room with standard
supplies
L.4 Places instruments in proper location
L.5 Requests and/or orders supplies
|
GENERAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
|
|
Anesthesia Basic anatomy and
physiology Biomedical sciences Legal issues Medical terminology |
Pharmacology Stapling devices Sterilization
processes/procedures/equipment Sutures Universal precautions |
DACUM PANEL PARTICIPANTS
Panelists:
Ms. Donna Grant, CST,
Carolina’s Medical Center-Pineville, Charlotte, NC
Ms. Nancy Grassley, Surgical
Technologist, Union Regional Medical Center, Monroe, NC
Ms. Margie Komito, Certified
Surgical Technologist, Healthsouth, Charlotte, NC
Ms. Tammy Lowery, Surgical
Technologist, Gaston Memorial Hospital, Gastonia, NC
Ms. Janet McCowan, Certified
Surgical Technologist, Springs Memorial Hospital, Lancaster, SC
Ms. Susan Prater, ST/ENT
Coordinator, Piedmont Medical Center, Rock Hill, SC
Ms. Teresa Yoder, Surgical
Tech, Chester County Hospital & Nursing Center, Chester, SC
Facilitator:
Louise C. Rhyne, Dean of Learning
Resources, York Technical College, Rock Hill, SC
Chad Hyatt, Education
Technology Center Manager and Instructional Developer, York Technical College,
Rock Hill, SC
Coordinator/Recorder:
Sylvia L. LaValle, CPS,
Administrative Specialist, York Technical College, Rock Hill, SC
Program Manager:
Mrs. Liz Boatwright,
Surgical Technology, York Technical College
DATE/LOCATION:
March 24, 2004
York Technical College
452 S. Anderson Road
Rock Hill, SC, 29730