Surgical Technologist - Duke University Health System

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Duke Nursing Highlights:

• Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization
• Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses.
• Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification.
• Duke University Health System has 6000 + registered nurses
• Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
• Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)

Surgical Technologists are eligible for a $10,000 Commitment Bonus. 

Relocation Assistance is also available! 

Locations: 

• Duke University Hospital
• Duke Regional Hospital
• Duke Raleigh Campus 
• Davis Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Arringdon Ambulatory Surgery Center

General Description of the Job Class

• Surgical Technologists (ST) are allied health professionals who assist in the preparation and care of surgical patients ranging from infancy to geriatrics under the general direction of a professional nurse.
• The ST possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a surgeon's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• The ST who has a dual role in the operating room and the ambulatory setting demonstrates competency in the care of surgical patients preoperatively and postoperatively in the ambulatory surgical clinic.

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 department and organization's policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates eagerness to learn, takes direction, adapts to changes within the unit, and demonstrates consistent progress toward Level II.
• Establishes and maintains a sterile field and assures the team maintains a sterile environment. Demonstrate and practice a good understanding of sterile technique.
• Has a basic knowledge of instrumentation. Prepare the Operating Room with appropriate instrumentation, equipment, and supplies.
• Demonstrates correct and safe instrumentation passing and performs sponge, needle, and instrument counts safely and accurately.
• Maintain technical skills to serve a patient population comprised of infants 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 a sterile field, and ensure the team independently maintains a sterile environment.
• Anticipate the surgical team's needs.
• Apply basic knowledge of instrumentation to several cases.
• Demonstrate appropriate and correct case preparation.
• Competent at the 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 ensure that the Operating Room and Hospital policies, procedures, and safety practices are reinforced.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology program or maintains an accredited Surgical Technologist certification (NCCT or NBSTSA).
• Or, provides evidence of the successful completion of an appropriate training program for Surgical Technology in the United States Military.

Experience

• Level I- Entry-level position for new graduates of the Surgical Technology program or Surgical Technologists with 0 to 18 months of experience.
• Level II- Requires 6 to 12 months of full-time equivalent Surgical Technology or relevant military experience.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Level I- BLS required.
• Level II- BLS required.

Duke is an 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 (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military 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.

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job 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.