Major Responsibilities:

• Participates in the preparation of the operating rooms and / or case carts.
  • 1)Assists nursing personnel with OR set up including setting supplies around the room, gathering additional equipment/supplies, and opening sterile supplies onto sterile field. In the event of surgical delays, monitors open sterile field.
  • 2)Reviews the surgeon preference cards and ensures all items / equipment needed for the procedure and positioning of the patient are present. Attempts to rectify deficiencies; reports any missing items to the circulating nurse for direction and resolution. Retrieves and transports sterilized items from the autoclave to the OR rooms.
  • 3)Removes case carts from sterile lift and transports carts to appropriate areas of the department. Assists nursing personnel with OR set up, including setting supplies around the room, gathering additional equipment / supplies. Connects machines to electrical outlets and ensures equipment is in good working order.
  • 4)May perform biological testing for instrumentation autoclaved in the OR and assist with immediate use sterilization. Report results to appropriate personnel.
  • 5)Ensure room has the standard equipment needed to perform a procedure. Such as, two IV poles, kick buckets, sponge counter, two prep tables, Bovie machine, Mayo stand, back table etc. May assist in turnover of anesthesia equipment and supplies. Replaces suction cannisters after each procedure.
  • 6)Assists healthcare personnel at the end of a procedure with turnover of room. May assist with placement of instrument trays, suction cannisters and garbage on case carts. Ensures all suction cannisters have solidifying agent in container prior to placing on cart. Removes garbage and linen from room and transports items to utility room. Transports case carts from the operating room to the dirty utility room and sends carts to sterile processing.
  • 7)Responsible for turnover of room between procedures. Cleans and disinfects equipment, table and floors following AORN guidelines. Assemble the OR bed using clean turn-over pack in accordance with department procedures.
  • 8)Handles chemicals and solutions following department policy; ensures that all chemicals and solutions are in properly labeled containers and are not expired.
  • 9)Ensures oxygen tanks are stocked and ready for use on all patient carts. Ensures keys and gauges are available for oxygen tanks.
  • 10)Assists with return of supply items to SPD or the sub-sterile core. Return all unused carts to SPD.
• Ensures the surgery area is appropriately stocked and supplied to meet the needs of the patient and nursing staff.
  • 1)Transports equipment / supplies between the operating room, PACU, SPD, and other units as directed.
  • 2)Obtains supplies and equipment from other areas of the hospital as needed Obtains and returns beds from nursing units.
  • 3)Procures and transports blood and other patient-related information to the OR in a timely manner. Delivers specimens to laboratory/pathology, as needed (both routine and STAT).
  • 4)Cleans and prepares patient carts and other equipment between patients' use, following guidelines set by hospital policy. Cleans equipment according to the manufacturers' instructions and Advocate Good Shepherd Policy and Procedure.
  • 5)Monitors inventory stock. Assists in replenishing stock to cabinets in sub-sterile area, scrub sinks, locker rooms and other ancillary areas within the Surgical Department on a daily basis.
  • 6)Maintains and replenishes stock of needed forms in the operating rooms.
  • 7)Ensures blankets are placed in warmers and replenished as needed. Ensures fluids are placed in warmers and are dated and rotated when stocking.
  • 8)Ensures that all work areas are maintained in a clean and orderly fashion at all times. Performs specialized unit activities as directed by manager or charge nurse.
  • 9)Assists team members with stocking of supplies to operating rooms.
  • 10)Monitors sterile items on the case carts and notifies Sterile Processing of the need to replace missing items.
• Provides assistance with supportive clinical tasks as defined by policy and procedure and as directed by licensed RN staff.
  • 1)At the start of the shift, report to assigned rooms and introduce self to team members.
  • 2)Assist with the transport of patients from day surgery to the OR suite and assist RN with transfer of patient from cart or bed to the surgical table and at the end of the procedure.
  • 3)Assist team members with repositioning of patient within the clinical areas.
  • 4)Communicate with patients, families and health care team in a competent, courteous and professional manner.
  • 5)Assist nursing peronnel in the performance of surgical preps by holding affected extremities. May assist and perform surgical clipping for surgical patients.
  • 6)Identify and transport patients safely to and from surgery. May assist PACU/Day Surgery with transportation of patients.
  • 7)Respond to codes and other emergencies in the OR, Post Anesthesia Care Unit, (PACU) and Day Surgery as needed.
  • 8)May assist nursing personnel in the performance of surgical preps by supporting/holding affected extremities.
  • 9)May assist team members in conducting postmortem care.
  • 10)Assist with regional anesthesia by holding the patient in position for spinal / epidural blocks, as needed.
• Responsible for professional growth and self-development objectives.
  • 4)Comply with educational, mandatory requirements.
  • 1)Demonstrate self-direction for continuing education. Seek education and learning experiences of identified needs.
  • 2)Attend departmental meetings and educational in-services appropriate to requirements of job.
  • 3)Assist in mentoring and orientation of new associates.

Education/Experience Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent. Certified Nursing Assistant, EMT or Certified Phlebotomist trained and eligible for certification; or 12 months relevant OR or healthcare/clinical experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Good communication skills Basic computer skills Good organizational skills Good interpersonal/ customer service skills
• CPR certification.

Physicial Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to work in fast paced environment with established constraints. May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening diseases. Ability to perform lifting/transfer activities up to 50lbs. Ability to recognize needs and behaviors of a variety of age group of patients. Ability to communicate appropriately within the constraints of the OR environment.
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.