Surgical Technologists (ST) are allied health professionals who assist in the preparation and care of surgical patients ranging from inf ancy to geriatrics under the general direction of a professional nurse. The ST possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile asep tic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical proc edures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a surgeo n's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

The ST who has a dual function in the operating room and the ambulatory setting demonstrates competency in the care of surgical patients preope ratively and postoperatively in the ambulatory surgical clinic setting.< /p>

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Le vel I

New graduate with up to 18 months of full-time equivalent ex perience.

Perform all responsibilities in a manner that demonstrat es Service Excellence towards patients, physicians, peers and other departments. Assume responsibility for upholding the policies and procedures of the department and organization.

Demonstrates eagerness to lea rn, takes direction, adapts to changes within unit, demonstrates consist ent progress toward Level II.

Establishes and maintains sterile fi eld and assures team maintains sterile environment. Demonstrate and prac tice a good understanding of sterile technique.

Has a basic knowle dge of instrumentations. Prepare Operating Room with appropriate instrumentation, equipment and supplies.

Demonstrates correct and safe in strumentation passing and performs sponge, needle and instrument counts in a safe and accurate manner.

Maintain technical skills to serve a patient population comprised of infancy to geriatric clients.

Ta ke calls and rotate shifts as required under the direction of a register ed nurse.

For Surgical Technologists with a dual role in an ambula tory environment, additional responsibilities may include: prepare patie nts for examinations and procedures in the surgical clinic setting; assi st the physician during patient examination and procedures in the clinic ; collect and label laboratory specimens for processing; reinforce posto perative instructions under direction of physician or RN; assist with in coming and outgoing patient calls under supervision of physician or RN; remove sutures/ staples, change sterile and non-sterile dressings, follo wing DUHS policies and procedures, under direction of RN or physician; p erform other clinical functions as delegated and supervised by the RN or physician; schedule and post surgical cases; coordinate complex schedul ing of cases which require additional surgical support; update and file patient medical records.

Must advance to level II within 18 months .

Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Lev el II

Perform all the duties and responsibilities of Level I, plus the following:

Assist with the teaching of newly hired technologi sts and student technologists.

Serve as a role model to new employ ees and other staff members.

Establish and maintain sterile field and assure team maintains sterile environment independently.

Antic ipate the needs of the surgical team.

Apply basic knowledge of ins trumentations to several cases.

Demonstrate appropriate and correc t case preparation.

Competent at unit level.

Corrects defici encies at the case level.

Communicate effectively with patients, s taff members and physicians.

Adherence to standards including but not limited to unit and hospital policies and procedures, regulatory sta ndards, and patient safety goals.

Assume responsibility for self a nd ensures that the policies, procedures and safety practices of the Ope rating Room and Hospital are reinforced.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Required Qualifications at t his Level

Education

Graduate of an accredited Surg ical Technology program or maintains an accredited Surgical Technologist certification (NCCT or NBSTSA). Or, provides evidence of the successful completion of an appropriate training program for Surgical Technology i n the United States Military.

Experience

Lev el I- Entry level position for new graduates of Surgical Technology prog ram or Surgical Technologists with 0 to 18 months experience.

Leve l II- Requires 6 to 12 months of full-time equivalent Surgical Technolog y orrelevant military experience.

Degrees, Licensure, and /or Certification

Level I- BLS required.

Level II- B LS required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to work effecti vely and efficiently under pressure in a stressful environment, and ofte n without relief.

Ability to demonstrate knowledge of anatomy rela ting to the surgical procedure and the instrumentation required in order to effectively anticipate the needs of the surgeon.

Ability to se t priorities and respond appropriately to actual and/or potential life t hreatening situations.

Distinguishing Characteristics of t his Level

N/A

The intent of this job descript ion is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific du ties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be d irected to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically prese nted in this description.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunit y without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gend er expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ra ce, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke asp iresto create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativit y, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspec tives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange , it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welc ome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that a ll voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

C ertain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may inc lude essential job functions that require specific physical and/or menta l abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reaso nable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.