Under the supervision of the registered nurse, the surgical technologist is to understand principles and practices of surgical asepsis as related to patient care in the operating room

Certified:  Under supervision of the operating room staff nurse:  works with surgeon, in preparing the operating room, sterilizing supplies and equipment, preparing the operative site and draping the patient

Handles instruments, sponges, sutures, catheters, drains and dressings to insure asepsis and safety to the patient

Non-Certified:  Helps prepare operating room for surgical procedures

Sets up tables and trays required, lays out instruments, syringes, sutures, needles and other supplies

Acts as a scrub nurse

Gloves and gowns surgical teams; assists the surgeon in draping patient

Assists the surgical team under the direction of a registered nurse

Level 1-

• Able to organize and prepare surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation collaboratively with other team members.
• Able to complete necessary documentation regarding medications, specimens and sterilization, etc
• Demonstrates a good attitude, professionalism and customer service
• Able to perform basic surgical procedure in the scrub role to include but not limited to:  gowning and gloving, setting up and maintaining back table utilizing aseptic technique, anticipate and meet the needs of the surgeon, apply sterile dressings and transferring of patients to a stretcher
• Assists with cost containment efforts to include but not limited to:  supply utilization, promoting short “turnover” between cases and managing time well.

Level 2-

• Able to meet the knowledge of Level I
• Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in organizing and preparing surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation
• Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and practice of patient care techniques, aseptic technique and the role of the first scrub
• Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
• Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in operating room emergency situations
• Able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in one or two surgical specialty areas
• Able to demonstrate a professional attitude
• Able to precept students

Level 3-

• Able to meet the knowledge of Levels 1 and 2
• Able to demonstrate superior knowledge in organizing and preparing surgical suite, equipment, supplies and instrumentation
• Able to demonstrate superior knowledge and practice of patient care techniques, aseptic technique and the role of first scrub
• Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
• Able to demonstrate superior knowledge in operating room emergency situations
• Able to demonstrate superior knowledge in one or two surgical specialty areas
• Able to demonstrate a professional attitude
• Able to precept new employees

Level 4-

• Able to meet the knowledge of Levels 1, 2 and 3
• Able to demonstrate competency of specialty are by full knowledge of surgeons needs, equipment, teaching/orienting specialty service to new employees and students
• Assist in coordinating competencies and development of policies and procedures in specialty service
• Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
• Assists in equipment trials, coordinate with materials manager to ensure adequate supply levels, maintain proper functioning instrumentation and equipment
• Assists with the annual budget process
• Maintains specialty service competency manual and accurate education records demonstrating staff competencies
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of new trends for service specialty and informs departmental staff

Education:

Graduate of accredited school of surgical technology

Must have a copy of a diploma or offical transcript of the highest level of education

If LPN, graduate of an accredited school of nursing with previous surgical tech experience. 

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

If LPN, current LPN licensure by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing

BLS certification required

If certified as a Surgical Technologist, by the Association of Surgical Technologist, Inc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

After appropriate amount of time, work to achieve levels of career ladder

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English

Career Ladder for Surgical Technologists

Goals:

To enhance quality surgical patient care

To encourage employer recognition and rewarding of advanced competency

To promote accountability and responsibility of the surgical technologist toward the patient

To encourage professional growth of the surgical technologists

To encourage experienced ST’s to contribute toward the professional growth of the other members of the surgical team

To increase the visibility of the role of ST in the hospital and other institutions

Clinical Ladder Program

Level 1:  Entry Level Practitioner

1. Graduate of surgical technology program
2. Independent first scrubs basic surgical procedures in general surgery, orthopedic surgery, ob/gyn surgery, genitourinary surgery and ENT.
3. Able to take call independently
4. Demonstrates ability to problem solve in relation to procedure being performed
5. Demonstrates a good attitude, professionalism and customer service
6. Applies base knowledge of A&P, medical terminology, microbiology and pharmacology for optimal surgical patient care
7. Applies basic knowledge of physics, electricity and chemistry
8. Demonstrates knowledge of sterile technique during surgical procedures
9. Applies the principles of sterile technique during surgical procedures
10. Participates, as desired, in orientation and training program to attain competency in complex cases and achieve Level II: Proficient Practitioner

Competencies:

1. Demonstrates the knowledge and practice of basic patient-care concepts
2. Demonstrates the application of the principles of asepsis in a knowledgeable manner that provides for optimal patient care in the OR
3. Demonstrates basic surgical case preparation skills
4. Demonstrates the ability to perform the role of first scrub on all basic surgical cases
5. Demonstrates responsible behavior as a health care professional

Level II: Proficient Practitioner

1.  Meets the criteria stated in Level I
2.  Has a minimum of one year experience and demonstrates a higher level of critical thinking skills and problem solving skills in relation to anticipating the perioperative needs of the patient and surgeon
3. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and proficient practice in the first scrub role in majority of cases
4. Applies knowledge of advanced surgical procedures
5. Applies knowledge related to emergency situations and surgical procedures in the OR
6. Exhibits a higher level of collaboration with peers in making decisions related to surgical patient care
7. Assists in performing circulating skills and tasks
8. Performs the preceptor role in the training of students
9. Participates, as desired, in program to achieve Level III: Expert Practitioner

Competencies

1. Demonstrates all competencies required for the CST: Level I Practitioner
2. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and practice of patient care techniques
3. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and aseptic and surgical technique
4. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and practice in the role of the first scrub
5. Demonstrates knowledge and practice of circulating skills and tasks.
6. Demonstrates knowledge related to OR emergency situations
7. Demonstrates advanced organizational skills
8. Demonstrates advanced knowledge in one or two surgical specialty areas
9. Demonstrates a professional attitude
10. Preceptor for students

Level III: Expert Practitioner

1.      Meets the criteria stated in Levels I and II

2.      Demonstrates superior knowledge of the various surgical equipment and advanced surgical instrumentation

3.      Demonstrates superior knowledge and expert practice in the first scrub role in advanced surgical procedures

4.      Serves as a mentor and role model

5.      Demonstrates skills in organizing and coordinating the effective use of personnel and materials

6.      Develops, organizes and delivers continuing education topics and/or courses

7.      Performs the preceptor role in the training of new hires

8.      Participates, as desired, in program to achieve Level IV: Specialist Practitioner

Competencies

1. Demonstrates all competencies of Levels I and II
2. Demonstrates superior knowledge and practice of patient care techniques
3. Demonstrates superior knowledge of aseptic and surgical techniques
4. Demonstrates superior knowledge and practice in the role of the first scrub or in the defined management position.
5. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and practice of circulating skills and tasks
6. Demonstrates advanced knowledge related to OR emergency situations
7. Demonstrates a professional attitude
8. Preceptor for new hires

Level IV: Specialist Practitioner

1. Meets the criteria stated in Levels I, II and III
2. Demonstrates outstanding knowledge in one or two surgical specialty service.
3. Demonstrates leadership abilities
4. Demonstrates knowledge of department fiscal requirements
5. Participates in decision-making activities related to evaluating and acquiring surgical equipment, instruments and supplies
6. Responsible for competencies in surgical techniques and equipment for specialty service
7. Obtains certification in surgical technology and maintains certification by participating in continuing education activities or retesting.

Competencies

1. Demonstrates competencies of Levels I, II and III
2. Demonstrate competency of specialty area by full knowledge of surgeons needs, equipment, teaching/orienting specialty service to new hires and students
3. Assists in coordinating competencies and development of policies and procedures in specialty service
4. Acts as a role model in attitude, professionalism and customer service
5. Assists in equipment trials, coordinates with materials manager to ensure adequate supply levels, maintain proper functioning instrumentation and equipment
6. Assists with annual budget process
7. Maintains specialty service manual and accurate education records demonstrating staff competencies
8. Demonstrates knowledge of new trends for service specialty and informs departmental staff