Surgical Technician Apprentice

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position assists the surgical team by acting in the role of the scrub person who handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures under the direct supervision of a qualified preceptor. The student maintains constant vigilance for the maintenance of the sterile field and assists with maintaining equipment and instruments. While completing clinical rotations, all student activities associated with the surgical technology college curriculum will be educational in nature. Surgical Tech student employees are in a "learning role" and will not be substituted for a trained employee within the clinical institution in the capacity of a competent surgical technologist.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Checks supplies/instrumentation and equipment needed for surgical procedures and ensures they are working properly.
• Opens sterile supplies and sets up the table for each surgical procedure.
• Provides a sterile field for surgical procedures. Ensures that the members of the surgical team are properly attired and assists the surgeon with draping the patient to isolate the operative site.
• Assists in the maintenance of the sterile field by applying principles of aseptic techniques and informing the surgeon/surgical team of infractions.
• Anticipates and passes instruments and supplies to the surgeon.
• Counts sponges and sharps with the R.N. prior to the surgery and before the incision is closed.
• Cleans, wraps and prepares the instruments for sterilization.
• Assists in the maintenance of specialty surgical services.
• Prepares the sterile dressing for the patient’s incision.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Knowledge of medical terminology, physiology and anatomy.

• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.

• Ability to provide care appropriate to the population served.

• Ability to operate with the authority to alert the operating room staff when there is a break in the sterile field and to take appropriate corrective measures. This requires good interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to ensure the proper care, maintenance and coordination of surgical instruments and supplies.

• The student must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.

Qualifications

Required

• Concurrent enrollment in an accredited O.R. Technician program.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners and behavioral health patients. Personal Protective Equipment must be worn. The position requires standing or walking for long periods of times.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Color Determination, Far Vision, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Walking