Surgical Technologist, Duke Internal Traveler Program

Shift Information

PRN

• Surgical Technologists are hired for a total of 24 weeks, which entails two 12 -week assignments to fill requests for a Duke ITP Surgical Technologist. The Surgical Technologist can be scheduled 36 hours or 40 hour per week depending on assignment location.

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• Surgical Technologists who are chosen for the program gain the ability to expand their professional network and experiences by working at unique peri-operative sites and their team of professionals.  

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Surgical Technologist - Duke Internal Traveler Program

Duke University Health System

Surgical Technologist who join the Duke Internal Traveler Program use their clinical expertise and adaptability skills to serve in peri-operative services across Duke University Health System’s three hospitals and two ambulatory surgical centers. As Allied Health Professionals, Surgical Technologists use their specialized expertise in the theory and application of sterile aseptic technique, the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools/ technologies to facilitate a surgeon's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. 

Surgical Technologists are hired for a total of 24 weeks, which entails two 12 -week assignments to fill requests for a Duke ITP Surgical Technologist. The Surgical Technologist can be scheduled 36 hours or 40 hour per week depending on assignment location. 

Surgical Technologists who are chosen for the program gain the ability to expand their professional network and experiences by working at unique peri-operative sites and their team of professionals.  

Required Qualifications at this Level:

Education

Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology program or the successful completion of the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) certification exam.

Experience

• Level I - Entry level position for new graduates of Surgical Technology program or Surgical Technologists with 0 to 18 months experience.

• Level II - Requires 6 to 12 months of full-time equivalent Surgical Technology or relevant military experience.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Level I

• New graduate with up to 18 months of full-time equivalent experience.

• Perform all responsibilities in a manner that demonstrates Service Excellence towards patients, physicians, peers and other departments. Assume responsibility for upholding the policies and procedures of the department and organization.

• Demonstrates eagerness to learn, takes direction, adapts to changes within unit, demonstrates consistent progress toward Level II.

• Establishes and maintains sterile field and assures team maintains sterile environment. Demonstrate and practice a good understanding of sterile technique.

• Has a basic knowledge of instrumentations. Prepare Operating Room with appropriate instrumentation, equipment and supplies.

• Demonstrates correct and safe instrumentation passing and performs sponge, needle and instrument counts in a safe and accurate manner.

• Maintain technical skills to serve a patient population comprised of infancy to geriatric clients.

• Take calls and rotate shifts as required under the direction of a registered nurse.

• For Surgical Technologists with a dual role in an ambulatory environment, additional responsibilities may include: prepare patients for examinations and procedures in the surgical clinic setting; assist the physician during patient examination and procedures in the clinic; collect and label laboratory specimens for processing; reinforce postoperative instructions under direction of physician or RN; assist with incoming and outgoing patient calls under supervision of physician or RN; remove sutures/ staples, change sterile and non-sterile dressings, following DUHS policies and procedures, under direction of RN or physician; perform other clinical functions as delegated and supervised by the RN or physician; schedule and post-surgical cases; coordinate complex scheduling of cases which require additional surgical support; update and file patient medical records.

• Must advance to level II within 18 months.  Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Level II

Perform all the duties and responsibilities of Level I, plus the following:

• Assist with the teaching of newly hired technologists and student technologists.

• Serve as a role model to new employees and other staff members.

• Establish and maintain sterile field and assure team maintains sterile environment independently.

• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team.

• Apply basic knowledge of instrumentations to several cases.

• Demonstrate appropriate and correct case preparation.

• Competent at unit level.

• Corrects deficiencies at the case level.

• Communicate effectively with patients, staff members and physicians.

• Adherence to standards including but not limited to unit and hospital policies and procedures, regulatory standards, and patient safety goals.

• Assume responsibility for self and ensures that the policies, procedures and safety practices of the Operating Room and Hospital are reinforced.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.