North Country Hospital
**Statement of Purpose**
Assists in the nursing care and preparation of surgical patients of all ages. Functions as a member of the sterile team in donning gowns and gloves, creating and maintaining a sterile field in cooperation with the Circulating Nurse. Anticipating the surgeons instrument and supplies needs.
**Essential Functions, Responsibilities, and Duties**
* Establishes and maintains interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, physicians, coworkers, and other hospital personnel, while assuring confidentiality of patient information.
* Assists in obtaining necessary supplies and equipment for assigned cases from preference cards.
* Sets up sterile tables, instruments, and supplies required for specific surgeries.
* Assists in the transportation and transfer of the patient unto the OR table. After surgery help transfer the patient to the stretcher or bed, and as needed to the PACU.
* Assists in the preparation, positioning, and draping of the patient and the operative area.
* Prepares and passes instruments, sutures, sponges, laps, and other supplies needed in the operative procedure.
* Specimens – careful management of specimens including asking source of tissue, pass off tissue to the circulator in a timely manner, gentle handling of tissue, and keeping specimens separate.
* Functions as assigned to second scrub.
* Maintains the sterile field, anticipates the surgeon needs, does counts according to the Policies and Procedures in cooperation with the Circulator.
* After the case to assist with cast applications, and/or dressings.
* After the case remove any sharps from the field, remove instruments for cleaning, and discard disposable drapes and supplies in the proper containers. Soiled linen in the laundry.
* On off-hour cases functions as a Supply Aide in regard to cleaning instruments and stocking.
* Participates in Performance Improvement.
* Perform other assigned or required tasks.
* Attends meetings and in-services.
**Working Conditions**
Physical Demands Manual dexterity in use of instruments and equipment. Good or corrected vision and hearing. Heavy work – occasionally moving up to 50 lbs. at one time, or seeks assistance from others; 10-25 pounds of force frequently. Must push very heavy equipment.
Machinery and Equipment: Various types of clinical equipment and computer system.
Exposure: May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases.
**Training**
NCH is willing to train the right candidate with no experience for this position. There may be the potential for traveling to a teaching facility to receive the training.
**Job Requirements**
High School diploma
Graduate of OR technician program or equivalency
Candidates must have healthcare certification or a healthcare degree or Valid LPN License
BLS
