Title: Surgical Technician
Location: San Antonio, TX.
About us:
ERG is a leading U.S. based, privately held, independent clinical research site company, and provider of clinical development services with expertise in early and late-stage neuroscience drug development. With 20 wholly owned clinical sites and 4 affiliated sites, we conduct in-patient and out-patient phase I-IV clinical research studies. ERG has 400+ in-patient beds, a large and growing database of patients suffering from mental illness, neurological disorders, sleep disorders, addictions, Acute and Chronic Pain, diabetes, and other illnesses as well as normal healthy volunteers who participate in trials for the advancement of medicine. With access to over 32 million patients/subjects and 5000 + completed trials, ERG continues to grow its capabilities and expand into indications where there are tremendous unmet medical needs in the United States and globally.
Job Description:
The Surgical Technician assists surgeons, registered nurses, and other members of the surgical team in the operating room. Performs and participates in decontamination, cleaning, assembling, packaging, scanning, sterilization, storage and distribution of reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment. Responsible for conducting business and patient care activities consistent with the ASC's policy for Patient's Rights and Responsibilities. Responsible for the discrete and confidential handling of all patient information whether written or spoken, and to be ever vigilant and sensitive to where and how any patient information is shared. A team player who can complete tasks with a high degree of accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities:
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Maintain the sterile field throughout surgical procedures.
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Assist the surgical team with scrubbing in and putting on gloves and masks.
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Pass surgical instruments to surgeons as needed during surgical procedures.
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Hold retractors and complete additional tasks at surgeon’s request during procedures.
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Handle and label tissue specimens obtained for laboratory analysis.
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Count sponges, needles, and instruments before, during, and after procedures.
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Following surgeries, wash, sterilize, organize and restock all medical instruments and equipment.
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Supply fluids for use during operations, including blood, glucose, plasma, and saline.
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Prepare patients for surgical procedures and monitor patient’s’ vital signs throughout surgery.
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Offer technical assistance to the surgical team: surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists.
Sterilization, Processing, Decontamination (SPD):
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Responsible for control of all parts of the sterilization process:
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Decontamination
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Dep, pack, sterilize
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Documentation of sterilization
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Sterile storage including remediation of equipment failures and hazards.
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Maintain consistency and continuous workflow between the OR and Central Service Sterile Processing
- Operate and maintain Steris Reliance machine; keep records of loads completed, items of loads and maintenance procedures performed.
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Operate and maintain decontamination equipment.
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Monitor surgery schedules daily, identifying general, specific and potential needs for all cases.
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Assist with cleaning of rooms between cases and terminal cleaning.
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Assist in preparation with patients in pre-op and post-op area.
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
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Monitor and maintain appropriate records to remain compliant with applicable regulatory agencies, as well as reporting occurrences immediately to supervisors.
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Maintain strong working/collaborative relationships with other departments to ensure flow and continuity of services.
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Report defective equipment to supervisor or staff.
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Additionally, this role may encompass responsibilities beyond those outlined above, as required by the evolving needs of the organization. This job description is intended as a foundation and may be subject to expansion or modification to best suit ERG’s objectives.
Skills and Qualifications:
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Education and experience
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Associate of Science degree in surgical technology or related field preferred.
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Completion of vocational certificate program in surgical technology.
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Certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting preferred.
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Two years of experience in a similar position preferred.
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One year of Central Service or Sterilization Processing experience preferred.
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Central Service Technician Certification preferred.
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Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or must be obtained within thirty (30) days of hire.
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Requirements
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Understand regulatory requirements, as well as Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.
- Knowledgeable in medical terminology
- Excellent communication skills (interpersonal, written, verbal)
- Basic computer skills to include Word, Excel, as well as proprietary applications unique to the clinical research industry (such as Real Time)
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Able to monitor yourself, others, and machines to ensure proper performance.
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Excellent active listening and interpersonal communication skills.
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Persistent arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity.
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Capable of discerning differences in shades of color and brightness.