Primary Care Physician

JOB SUMMARY :   Under close supervision, provides technical surgical assistance and ensures a safe environment for surgical patients and staff.  Anticipates next steps during surgical procedures by integrating knowledge of surgical interventions and surgeon’s technique to ensure supplies and instruments are readily available in order to minimize patient exposure to anesthesia.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES In cooperation with the Circulating Nurse, reviews surgeon preference card to obtain supplies, instrumentation, and equipment for the planned procedure.  Consults with the surgeon, if needed, to identify individualized patient care needs.

Opens sterile supplies and instrumentation on the sterile field.

Practices scrub responsibilities and prepares the sterile field with instrumentation and supplies for the procedure.  Verifies instrumentation and equipment is in proper working order before procedure begins.

Gowns and gloves members of the surgical team and assists with draping the patient.

Performs surgical counts for sponges, needles, sharps, instruments, and other devices as required with the Circulating Nurse at the designated intervals, following Operating Room Procedure for Surgical Counts at all times.

Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by giving full attention to the surgical procedure at all times.  Constantly assesses the progress of the surgery and responds appropriately. Provides technical assistance to the surgeon.

Handles and places sharps on the sterile field in a safe manner to prevent injury to surgical team members.

Keeps instruments on sterile field in order and rinsed in sterile water to remove bioburden as close as possible to the time of use. Maintains responsibility for surgical instrumentation.

Constantly assesses for fire safety risks to include the pooling of prep agents before the application of drapes, safe handling of laser fibers and safe management of light source cords.

Upon completion of surgical procedure, washed the patient’s skin around the incision and assists in application of dressings.

Undrapes the patient at the end of the procedure and disposes of the soiled drapes and disposals in a manner to confine contamination.  Isolates and disposes of sharps in the sharps containers.

Removes water from the instrument-soaking basin with the Neptune suction machine.  Encloses all soiled instruments in the case cart and transfers the cart to the elevator located in the soiled utility room.  Sprays used instruments with enzymatic cleaner until moistened.  Sends elevator to the Sterile Processing department.

Monitors patients for potentially dangerous physical changes. Recognizes abnormal findings and immediately notifies nurse or physician.

Participates in unit problem solving activities and other projects as required.

Constantly assesses personal performance and work quality.  Participates in quality improvement activities and accepts constructive criticism from peer group and supervisor in order to maintain the highest possible standards of patient care and customer service.

Participates in training and orientation of new personnel.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS  Knowledge of customer service concepts and practices. Knowledge of surgical equipment. Knowledge of modern surgical principles, techniques, and procedures for the care of patients. Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and concepts of disease. Knowledge of operating room procedures and patient preparation for surgery. Knowledge of reference standards and regulatory requirements for operating room safety. Knowledge of emergency procedures, sterile practices, infection control, basic life support, and other applicable nursing practices. Skill in interpersonal relationships. Skill in oral and written communication Skill in performing assigned surgical procedures. Skill in monitoring patient responses and taking appropriate action. Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others. Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.

Required Experience

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATION A high school diploma or GED equivalent. AND Completion of an Accredited Program in Surgical Technology.  Two (2) years of operating room experience may be substituted for education.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION Non-supervisory - None

MINIMUM CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATION Current Basic Life Support (BLS) card.

PREFERRED EDUCATION QUALIFICATION N / A

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION N / A

PREFERRED CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATION Certification by Liaison Council on Certification for Surgical Technologist (LCCST) or certification through the Association of Surgical Technology is preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Depending on the needs of the organization, some incumbents in this job class may be required to obtain additional certifications or training in one or more specialty areas.

WORKING CONDITIONS The following demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job :   Must be able to lift approximately 20 pounds.    ANMC is not a latex free facility; an employee should expect to work in an environment where latex may be present. May be required to work outside the traditional work schedule.  Work involves the potential for exposure to infectious diseases.

Qualifications :

KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS Knowledge of customer service concepts and practices. Knowledge of surgical equipment. Knowledge of modern surgical principles, techniques, and procedures for the care of patients. Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and concepts of disease. Knowledge of operating room procedures and patient preparation for surgery. Knowledge of reference standards and regulatory requirements for operating room safety. Knowledge of emergency procedures, sterile practices, infection control, basic life support, and other applicable nursing practices. Skill in interpersonal relationships. Skill in oral and written communication Skill in performing assigned surgical procedures. Skill in monitoring patient responses and taking appropriate action. Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others. Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.