Physician Assistant-Hospitalist Acute

Position Purpose

The Trauma Technologist must be able to perform multiple procedures simultaneously or in succession. In addition the technologist is responsible for supplying the operating room with the proper equipment and instrumentation that’s needed for specific surgery. During the procedure the primary responsibilities of the technologist is to maintain the sterility of the surgical field, anticipate the needs of the surgeons, and pass instruments in a timely fashion.

Under direct supervision the technologist may be asked to perform the following duties such as, but not limited to:

• sponge or suction
• hold retractors or instruments placed by the surgeons
• apply electrocautery to clamps on bleeders
• irrigate the operative sight
• cut suture material
• connect drains to the suction apparatus
• apply dressings to the wound

Once the procedure is completed it is the responsibility of the technologist to care for the instrumentation and equipment and prepare for the following case. This position will provide any assistance needed to expedite the room turnover thereby providing optimum customer service to the surgeon, patient, anesthesiologist, and co‑workers.

This position serves a patient population of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric, trauma, and cardiac patients. It provides technical skills as a member of the surgical team, communicating with supervisors, other surgery staff, surgeons, and anesthesiologists. The demands on this position are very dynamic because of rapid changes in medical procedures, high‑risk procedures including trauma and open heart surgery, technical knowledge, instrumentation, equipment, policy, procedure, and surgeon preferences in equipment, instruments, needles, and sutures.

This position has the freedom to decide the type of equipment and supplies required for the surgical care of the patient relative to the surgeon’s preference cards and knowledge of the procedure, and can identify any breakdown in aseptic technique and take appropriate action. It ensures equipment is working properly before surgical procedure, cares for equipment after procedure, and reports any equipment that is not working properly or is broken.

Hazards include radiation, toxic chemicals, biological hazards, heat, noise, dust, and stress. Renown Health has a Safety Management Program in place that addresses these issues. This position must be able to scrub all trauma procedures in the OR, including second scrub for open heart services, and must be ready to take trauma call and, when specifically trained, heart call. Other related duties, flexible hours, and overtime may be required.

This position does provide patient care.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Education: Must have working‑level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing and speaking English. Must complete a formal technologist school program or a formal hospital‑based training program.

Experience: One year as an OR technologist required. Those completing a hospital training program within Renown or a formal technologist school program with less than one year of experience may be granted special considerations based on demonstrated competencies, including preceptor, peer and leadership evaluations.

License(s): None

Certification(s): Current BLS certification by the American Heart Association standards. Certification of surgical technologist preferred. The surgical technologist may perform in the capacity of a first assist if he or she is a graduate of a surgical assistant first assist program that included didactic and supervised clinical practice, based on the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting requirements (2002‑01, 4002‑01, 2003‑40).

If uncertified, the incumbent is required to complete at least 15 hours of continuing education concerning the practice of surgical technology upon completion of the first year of employment and on an annual basis thereafter. If certified, the incumbent must maintain minimum qualifications in order to maintain certification.

Computer / Typing: Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, the computer skills necessary to complete online learning requirements for job‑specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.