Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines. Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work? Summary:
- Provides supportive nursing care to selected patients under direction and supervision of the professional nurse; facilitates patient care by meeting specific nursing care requirements and assists in performance of patient care measures; informs the registered nurse of any signs, symptoms of untoward responses.
Responsibilities: - Need for environmental safety, comfort.•Identifies patient according to HUP Policy before carrying out functions.•Carries out HUP fire and safety regulations.•Promotes infection control:•Washes hands before and after patient contact.•Carries out isolation procedures according to Infection Control Manual.Deals with bloodand body fluids according to the standard precautions policy.•Reports needle stick injuries to charge nurse.•Reports exposure to communicable diseases and infections. Clinical Aseptic Technique•Demonstrates principles of aseptic technique in clinical practice.•Follows aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies.•Sterilizes instruments and supplies in autoclaves as directed by Perioperative policies.•Follows department policy on scrubbing, setup, gowning and gloving.•Observes for contamination and/or breaks in aseptic technique.•Drapes the patient with sterile materials in the manner directed by the surgeon or RN circulator.•Demonstrates proper handling of implants and prosthesis.•Demonstrates the ability to differentiate between clean and dirty areas i.e. Endoscopy Unit.•Follows proper procedure for handling contaminated instruments after procedure i.e. cleans case cart after removing instruments.•Uses appropriate instrument tables for each case i.e. back and side tables. Professionalism•As needed, maintain supplies such as IV fluids, needles and syringes•Demonstrates awareness of legal responsibilities regarding instrument, needle and sponge counts.•Follows policy for case with incorrect counts, reports and documents discrepancies appropriately.•Counts and signs items as dictated per OR count policies.•Follows safe practice when drugs and solutions are placed on the sterile field.•Labels all drugs and solutions properly.•Assist in the proper labeling, handling of all surgical specimens.•Utilizes policies and procedures as a resource•Routinely attends in-service programs•Follows Perioperative Call Policy•Attends at least one related conference/course or completes 12 continuing education units every year.Collaboration•Demonstrates the ability to facilitate each case progression in a timely manner.•Anticipates the surgeon's need when passing instruments, sutures, and supplies.•Provides relief staff with concise and accurate report i.e. medications, specimens, and relief counts.•Knows when to seek help.•Adapts when there are schedule changes.•Anticipates the needs of the surgeon during the surgical procedure. Technical Skills•Modifies scrubbing procedures based on patient's individual needs.•Communicates with team members for special care needs.•Incorporates patient care information into scrubbing role.•Recognizes pertinent patient care information that requires modifying standard approach to care i.e. needing larger retractors.•Demonstrates knowledge and responds appropriately to emergency situations.•Able to practice in two specialties: proficient in one area and able to adequately perform in the other area.Initiative•Makes professional use of downtime: stocking suture, returning unused supplies.•Maintains one area of responsibility in the operating room.•Acts as team player i.e. assist RN with patient care.•Helps gather needed supplies for procedure i.e. positioning devices, instrumentation, and scopes. Problem Solving•Identifies and reports defective instruments, supplies and equipment.•Maintains a safe environment through inspection of facilities by applying safety rules.•Stats to inventory instrument sets and recommends necessary changes to Nurse Manager.•Completes Perioperative core and specialty team competencies. Communication•Demonstrates active communication skills.•Respects patient's rights to privacy, safety and dignity i.e. HIPPA.•Demonstrates professional attitudes and behaviors.•Learns effective strategies to manage stress and resolve conflict.•Learns to accept constructive criticism appropriately.Teaching/Preceptorship•Identifies and communicates educational needs.•Seeks supervision of performance when appropriate.•Begins to share knowledge gained through participation in continuing education activities.•Seeks information from other personnel and written aids when unfamiliar/uncomfortable with assigned procedure.•Offers feedback in a spirit of helpfulness with respect for peers.•Begins to assess unit wide learning needs and participates in planning activities to meet those needs.•Acts as a preceptor for students in general areas.•Begins to function as a positive role model.•Attends Operating Room preceptor course. Values•Respects patient's rights to privacy, safety and dignity.•Maintains patient confidentiality.Leadership•Demonstrates teamwork by willingly assisting other team members in such activities as room cleaning, turnover, case set up, patient transport, instrument cleaning etc. in a timely manner.•Demonstrates flexibility in assignment changes.•Learns cost control by efficient use of patient and unit supplies.•Learns to carry out daily assignment independently.•Although not required, provides an educational program at clinic meeting related to their specialty. Continuous Quality Improvement•Identifies recurring practice problems in specialty areas and reports to appropriate individuals. Make observations-plan and organize work, assess patient needs under the supervision of registered nurse.Keeps appropriate levels of supplies on unit.Participates in unit cost containment efforts.
Credentials: - Certified Surgical Technologist (Required)
- Basic Cardiac Life Support
Education or Equivalent Experience: - H.S. Diploma/GED (Required)
- Education Specialization:Equivalent Experience: • AndPossess two years of continuous recent surgical technologist experience.
- Other (Required)
- Education Specialization:Equivalent Experience: • Graduate of a Surgical Technologist training program or practical nurse program.
We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives. Live Your Life's Work We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.