Surgical Technician I - Surgery - Full Time 12 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Union)

About the role

Under direct supervision and general guidance of the Registered Nurse, the Surgical Tech I applies, demonstrates, and possesses basic knowledge, competencies, and skills of surgical and aseptic techniques and practices; assists the surgical team and performs a variety of tasks in an operating room; prepares sterilizes, and cleans up surgical equipment and instruments; and is responsible for the care and safety of patients who come under his/her care.

The Surgical Tech I is generally assigned basic surgical/operative procedures and is expected to gain the skills and abilities to independently scrub in all surgical/operative procedures.

Essential Duties

• Performs operative room scrub responsibilities in all surgical/operative procedures.
• Adheres to all safety standards and policies (such as surgical, specimen collection, sterile processing, Title 22, JCAHO) as they relate while performing all responsibilities.
• Applies principles of aseptic technique and initiates prompt corrective action when breaks in aseptic technique occur.
• Remains attentive throughout the operative procedure, anticipating the needs of the surgical team, and responds appropriately during emergency intraoperative crises.
• Maintains ongoing communication with the circulating nurse and other members of the surgical team regarding changes in patient status or the progress of surgery.
• Arranges and inventories sterile set-up for operation.
• Facilitates the smooth flow of the surgical intervention (i.e., prepares for the procedure with updated preference cards, knowledge of instruments and equipment).
• Performs scrub role (such as anticipating surgical team's needs, passing of instruments, cutting sutures, etc.) according to standards.
• Prepares, cleans, and maintains instruments, equipment, and all surgical related items in accordance to established guidelines.
• Transports patients, equipment, supplies, and specimens.
• Prepares operating room (OR) by setting up tables, instruments, and supplies in according to type of case/operative procedure.
• Performs the preceptor role in the training of students.
• Participates in decision-marking activities related to evaluating and acquiring surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.
• Recommends, implements, and participates process improvement projects on an ongoing basis.
• May assist in performing circulating skills and task.
• Performs all duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Req High school or equivalent
• Req Specialized/technical training Completion of a Sterile Processing Program or an accredited Surgical Technician program (no more than 6 months post-graduation).
• Req Recent graduate (no more than six months post-graduation) from an Accredited Sterile Processing Program
• Req Working knowledge of instrument processing techniques
• Req Basic knowledge of computer systems including Windows OS, keyboard and mouse operation.
• Req Ability to operate sterile processing equipment.
• Req Demonstrated ability to competently perform multiple, complex tasks.
• Req Knowledge of medical terminology

Preferred Qualifications

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

Additional information

Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital's world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans.

As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring.

Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.

Pay and benefits

The hourly rate range for this position is $33.70 - $57.28. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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