Operating Room Technician II at Jones Memorial Hospital – Wellsville, New York

Purpose:
The Operating Room Technician II (OR Tech II) assists in the provision of surgical patient care under the direction of a Registered Nurse. As a member of the sterile team, the OR Tech II creates and maintains a sterile field, passes instruments, and supports safe and efficient surgical procedures. This role also provides preoperative and postoperative assistance as directed by the RN and contributes to high-quality care across the perioperative continuum.

Major Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities:

1. Preparation & Setup

   • Prepare operating rooms with required supplies, equipment, and instruments for scheduled procedures.

   • Set up sterile fields and instruments; anticipate and request additional items as needed.

   • Demonstrate knowledge of specialty equipment used in laparoscopic, vascular, orthopedic, gynecologic, urologic, ophthalmologic, and ENT procedures.

2. Intraoperative Support

   • Maintain constant awareness of aseptic technique and alert team to potential breaks.

   • Pass instruments, sutures, and sponges to surgeons and team members.

   • Perform sponge, needle, and instrument counts with circulating RN.

   • Assist with operative specimen handling and application of postoperative dressings.

   • Adjust lights, equipment, and positioning as directed.

   • Assist with gowning and gloving for surgical team members.

3. Patient Care & Transport

   • Assist with transport, preparation, and positioning of surgical patients.

   • Apply monitoring equipment in preoperative and PACU settings under RN direction.

   • Support postoperative care by monitoring vital signs, observing for changes, and reporting promptly to RN.

   • Transport stable patients to assigned rooms and provide report to receiving staff.

4. Instrument & Equipment Care

   • Assist with cleaning, maintenance, and care of surgical instruments.

   • Recognize and apply correct cleaning and decontamination techniques.

   • Prepare instrument sets for sterilization as assigned.

   • Participate in OR cleanup, including removal of linens, equipment, and waste.

   • Operate decontamination and sterilization equipment as trained.

5. Safety & Compliance

   • Adhere to strict infection control practices and universal precautions.

   • Demonstrate knowledge of hazardous material handling, fire safety, and hospital policies.

   • Maintain safe patient transfers and lifting techniques.

   • Respond to emergency procedures in ER or ICU as requested.

6. Professional Development & Collaboration

   • Participate in cross-training in PACU, ASU, and minor outpatient procedure areas.

   • Support orientation of new team members as directed.

   • Maintain required competencies and attend mandatory education programs.

   • Contribute to a culture of patient and employee safety and provide excellent customer service.

   • Perform other duties as assigned within scope of training and licensure.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

• Must meet one of the following:

  • Graduate of an Accredited School of Nursing with current NYS License and registration as an LPN; or

  • Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from a nationally accredited organization; or

  • Completion of an appropriate training program as defined by NYS regulations; or

  • Prior employment as a Surgical Technologist in a healthcare facility for at least one year within the four years prior to January 1, 2015; or

  • Employment by the federal government performing related duties.

• Non-certified individuals must obtain certification within 12 months of hire or by January 1, 2016 (whichever is later), in accordance with NYS Public Health Law §2824.

Experience:

• LPNs: Minimum of six months Med/Surg nursing experience required.

• At least three months of operating room experience preferred.

Contacts:

• Frequent contact with physicians and surgical staff; occasional contact with patients.

Physical Demands:

• Stands and walks most of the day.

• Assists in lifting patients and carrying instruments and supplies.

Working Conditions:

• Exposed to communicable diseases, blood, body fluids, unpleasant odors, and irritating materials.

• Potential exposure to cuts, burns, and musculoskeletal strains.

• Subject to on-call requirements: must report within 20 minutes of receiving a call.