Surgical Technician - Orthopedic

ERP International is seeking full time Certified Surgical Technicians in support of Orthopedic services at Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV.  Apply online today and discover more about this exceptional employment opportunity.  www.erpinternational.com

Be the Best!  Join our team of exceptional health care professionals across the nation.  Come discover the immense pride and job satisfaction ERP Employees experience in providing care for our Military Members, their Families and Retired Military Veterans! ERP International is honored to have been named one of The Washington Post’s 2024 Top Workplaces! 

* Excellent Compensation & Exceptional Comprehensive Benefits!

* Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Time and Paid Federal Holidays!
* Medical/Dental/Vision, LTD, STD, and Life insurance and Health Savings Account available!

* Annual CME Stipend and License/Certification Reimbursement!

* Matching 401K!

About ERP International, LLC: ERP is a nationally respected provider of health, science, and technology solutions supporting clients in the government and commercial sectors. We provide comprehensive enterprise information technology, strategic sourcing, and management solutions to DoD and federal civilian agencies in 40 states. Founded in 2006, ERP is headquartered in Laurel, MD and maintains satellite offices in Montgomery, AL and San Antonio, TX - plus project locations nationwide. ERP is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Disability and Veteran.

Work Schedule:

Sunday - Saturday, various 8, 10 or 12 hour rotating shifts.

On-Call, Call Back and Overtime required - very minimal!

Travel Requirements: May be required to work at other facilities locally within 40 miles with advanced notice.

Job Specific Details and Tasks: The duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides surgical patient care activities in all Operating Room surgical services.
• Assists nursing staff with preoperative patient preparation activities. 
• Helps with routing medical materiel management activities.
• Accomplishes routine safety checks and operator preventive maintenance on fixed and moveable medical equipment and fixtures.
• Performs routine and specialized housekeeping activities. Prepares OR for surgery by setting up and opening sterile supplies and instruments.
• Assists anesthesia personnel with patient positioning and anesthesia administration.
• Applies principles of asepsis, infection control, and medical ethics.
• Assists with terminal cleanup of OR and prepares for follow-up procedures.
• Receives, decontaminates, and cleans soiled patient care items.
• Stores, maintains, and distributes sterile patient care items.
• Assists the circulating nurse with preparing records, reports, and requests.
• Prepares specimens for transport to the laboratory.
• Performs scrub duties in operating room. Scrubs hands and arms and dons sterile gown and gloves. Prepares and maintains sterile instruments, supplies, and equipment of draped tables and stands. Counts sponges, needles, instruments, and related items with circulating nurse before, during, and after surgical procedures. Assists the operative team with applying sterile drapes to the surgical field. Passes instruments, sutures, and other supplies to the sterile operative team.  Anticipates surgeon’s needs, and provides additional assistance as directed. Cares for surgical specimens on the sterile field. Cleans and prepares instruments and reusable supplies for terminal sterilization and decontamination. • Attends in-service training in new procedures, techniques, and equipment.
• Assists physicians with patient care; properly fits and applies pre-operative braces, crutches, and other soft goods; assists in preparation for and application of casts and orthopedic appliances; changes dressings; removes sutures, casts, and splints.
• Assists physicians and nurses with orthopedic procedures, including wound care, aspirations, minor surgical procedures, fracture reductions, etc; instructs patients in cast and traction care and the use of orthopedic appliances.
• Maintains clean and well-stocked Operating Room cast and soft goods room; orders special supplies and/or equipment.
• Performs cast duties. Constructs and applies a variety of splints and casts using all forms of casting materials to include thermoplastic casting materials, as determined by the provider. Obtains and applies needed splinting and casting material. Assists with initial casts by holding the injured/fractured areas, handing materials or equipment to the provider, or applying the cast materials while the provider immobilizes or positions the body parts to be casted. Applies subsequent or uncomplicated casts independently. Shapes and attaches splints. Applies plaster and fiberglass casts such as short, long and partial weight hearing. Setup and help with the fluoroscopy unit.
• Develops and maintains aseptic techniques where required during cast changes/applications and/or removals. Applies braces to extremities post-surgery. Apply a variety of equipment such as suspension, traction and various others methods designed to fit the specialized needs of the patients. Instructs patients on the proper care of casts. Participates in continuing education programs to maintain technical proficiency and to stay abreast of latest developments in the field. Ensures surgical suite cast room is adequately. Gives training and instructions to other hospital staff such as physician assistants, acute care physicians, nurses, and medical journeyman concerning casting, techniques and principles. With rare exception, takes timely and appropriate action in emergency situations. Routinely performs cast/brace duties at the accepted and normal levels of orthopedic trade practices. Routinely performs cast duties efficiently and effectively. Promptly notifies the attending physician of any unusual occurrence or problems during application and removal of cast/brace.
• Will be responsible for independently applying the full range of casts and traction devices. Must ensure the doctor's orders are followed exactly as serious complications could result if casts or traction is applied incorrectly. Standardized procedures are available but must be adapted or modified in every case as no two procedures are identical. Work must be customized to each patient. The work entails full orthopedic/spine support including patient reception, answering telephones, executing screening/taking vitals, and assisting with minor and major surgeries. Decisions about what needs to be done depends on instruments, examination and treatment procedures, and other variables. The work requires interpreting a variety of elements such as patient condition, medication, or instrument performance to be sure of test results. The chosen course of action is selected from several alternatives: for example, when tests or procedures do not give acceptable results, he/she selects a different alternative. Also, trauma victims will be encountered for surgical treatment. Work requires the performance of a wide range of orthopedic cast/brace technician tasks in construction and applying splints, tractions and casts, and in providing assistance to the physician during various procedures. Close concentration is required in the construction of casts and splints. A variety of conditions concerning all areas of the anatomy are involved. The type of cast or splint involves consideration of location of affected area, condition of patient, size, etc. The work performed in the surgery suites requires the performance of routine and specialized surgical support tasks critical to the performance of the surgeon's procedure. • Reviews patient medical record for previous exams and other pertinent data for provider's reference during surgical procedure. Maintains operative records of all surgical procedures performed in the surgical suite. Ensures all needed records, X· rays and medical reports (i.e., MRI/CT/X-rays/bone scan/arthrogram results and any other pertinent consultations) are available to the physician.
• Perform duties assigned by the Operating Room Flight NCOIC and/or Flight Chief. Complies with productivity requirements established by Chain of Command. Work assignments are usually performed with considerable independence. The employee is responsible for planning and carrying out the work, resolving the majority of conflicts and discrepancies that arise, integrating and coordinating the work of others as necessary and interpreting policy with respect to established objectives. Incumbent must be self-directing in recognizing and prioritizing duties. The employee keeps the supervisor informed about progress, potentially controversial matters and hard to resolve problems. Completed work is reviewed and evaluated for accuracy, technical soundness and conformity to guidelines and existing policy requirements.
• The supervisor makes assignments defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines and assists the employee in resolving unusual or difficult problems. Incumbent is relied upon to perform details of work assignments with minimum supervision and guidance.
• Performs surgical duties. Performs orthopedic/spine/pain scrub functions during orthopedic/spine/pain surgeries and major joint surgeries in the surgical treatment of joint conditions and diseases. When orthopedic/spine/pain procedures are not available, technician will be assigned to another surgical service for the day or Sterile Processing Department. Provides instruction and information on procedures to be performed; IAW aseptic requirements, sets up equipment, establishes a sterile field, assembles needed sterile supplies and hands sterile items to the physician. Assists in moving and positioning the patient; assists in draping the patient for surgery, preparation of specialty equipment. Aids in surgical exposure by holding and handling instruments, performs retraction, holding and cutting sutures. Anticipates doctor's needs and responds to requests for instruments, supplies, and procedures during surgery to preclude necessity for removal of the surgeon's attention from the operative field. As the surgical technician, actively engages in the manipulation of tissue at the direction of the surgeon, including wound closure. Maintains, safeguards, monitors equipment for proper operation and recognizes when changes in equipment or procedures might result in increased risks and adapts methods to prevent such risks. Assists and applies post-operative braces and appliances such as thumb spicas and other specialized devices. Complies fully with operating room requirements, instructions, and guidelines. Strictly adheres to established aseptic procedures during minor and major surgical procedures. Typically sets up and provides the proper instruments, supplies, and post-operative braces. Performs the full range of surgical technician responsibilities effectively and promptly.
• Physical demands: Work pace ranges from sedentary to a very rapid pace to include walking, standing, bending, and reaching. The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. It requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and positioning patients. Heavy lifting may be required for surgical room set-up. The work may require holding patient's extremity steadily for up to one hour. Involves prolonged standing and holding of surgical instrumentation when working in the operating room environment.

HWC Requirements:

• Detailed knowledge of human anatomy and physiology particularly in regard to bones, muscles, nerves and blood vessels.
• Extensive knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and the specialized procedures applicable to ensuring that proper structural support or other corrective measures are provided.
• Extensive knowledge of surgical anatomy pertaining to conditions involving orthopedic/spine injuries, disorders and/or conditions in order to communicate with and understand exchanges with medical personnel, and to perform surgical technician duties.
• Knowledge of safe and proper use and operation of specialized medical equipment to include casting materials, tourniquet device and various other types of equipment, ultrasound machine, mini c-arm, TPS, etc.
• Knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency first aid procedures.
• Detailed knowledge regarding the full range of casting procedures and traction devices and the ability to modify each to fit the patient's particular needs.
• Knowledge of operating room techniques and procedures in order to assist the surgeons before, during and following surgery.
• Knowledge of aseptic procedures in order to prevent infection and cross-contamination.
• Knowledge of research methods sufficient to study, evaluate and recommend to the professional staff new developments in casting materials and techniques or new equipment.
• Knowledge to research, organize and conduct an informal on-the-job training course for enlisted personnel being trained as orthopedic technicians.
• Knowledge of supply, inventory and maintenance regulations applicable to all supplies and major equipment assigned to the office.
• Knowledge of examinations, equipment and procedures to make the necessary preparations and provide assistance to the physician in the clinic.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, function and surgical anatomy pertaining to conditions involving orthopedic/spine injuries, disorders and or conditions in order to communicate with and understand exchanges with medical personnel, and to perform surgical technician duties.
• Knowledge of clinic administrative policies and procedures in order to perform a variety of administrative, Supervisory, and logistical supporting functions.
• Knowledge of medical treatment records; to screen for pertinent information. Skill in reporting patient’s conditions for proper recording in charts, operative reports and laboratory reports.
• Knowledge of examinations, equipment, surgical instruments, implants, methods, and procedures pertaining to Orthopedic/Spine/Pain, along with knowledge of related practical nursing and surgical procedures.
• Knowledge of the full range of currently used Orthopedic Technologist and surgical technologist principles, experience, practices, and procedures applied in providing services in the OR and the Orthopedic Clinic.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the step-by-step progress of specific surgical procedures and display dexterity in the use of required instrumentation. Must be sufficiently knowledgeable in all surgical procedures to assist the surgeon in appropriate techniques and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of medical facility rules, procedures, and operating instructions including those relating to aseptic procedure.
• Ability to communicate effectively with physicians, nurses, and other staff members
• Ability to perform basic computer skills required for the delivery of healthcare

Minimum Qualifications:
* Education: Completion of a surgical technologist program recognized and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or military equivalent course. Completion of an accredited basic orthopedic course. Completion of an accredited surgical service and clinical course. Completion of Certified Surgical Technologist certification.

* Required Knowledge: Must have knowledge of fundamentals of anatomy and physiology; principles of asepsis and sterile techniques; preparing and storing surgical sets and packs, surgical instrumentation, and equipment; OR and anesthesia procedures; pathology as it applies to specimen care and handling; basic microbiology and infection control principles; basic surgical pharmacology; sterilizing and disinfecting procedures; surgical and anesthesia complications and their treatment; hospital and OR environmental hazards and safety procedures; handling and storage of compressed gases; basic medical material procedures; basic medical administrations procedures; legal aspects of preoperative care and medical ethics; roles and qualifications of surgical team members; and basic clinical functions.
* Clinical Certification: Maintain a national certification by American Society of Orthopedic Professionals (ASOP) or National Board for Certification of Orthopedic Technologists. (NBCOT) or Association of Surgical Technologist Certification (AST) or Certification of Surgical Technologist (CST).

* Experience: Three years of related experience in an accredited health care hospital and at least 2 years of experience as an orthopedic technician and minimum 2 years of orthopedic surgical scrub experience.

* Life Support Certifications: Possess current ARC or AHA BLS certification. 

* Security: Must be able to pass a Government background check and obtain a Government security clearance.