Michigan Institute for Advanced Surgery - Certified Surgical Technician

The Certified Surgical Technician (CST) serves as a member of the healthcare team and provides technical support to the surgeon, registered nurse, and anesthesiologist in the operating room.

Requirements

• Ensure proper supplies, equipment, and instruments are ready for use.
• Clean operating room between cases.
• Restock operating rooms as necessary to meet par levels.
• Assist other operating rooms for coverage.
• Knowledge of surgeon preferences, procedures, instrumentation, and equipment.
• Prepare cases for the next day.
• May operate sterilizer, lights, suction machine, and other designated equipment.
• Ensure patient, procedure, operative site, positioning and equipment correspond.
• Follow the center exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens.
• Report observed or suspected breaks in sterile technique and acts according to policy.
• Perform hand scrub according to policy and procedure.
• Arrange instruments and supplies for surgical procedure.
• Maintain integrity of instruments.
• Ensure proper counting of sponges, instruments, and sharps.
• Assist in gowning of other personnel and draping of patient.
• Anticipate surgeon’s needs.
• Pass instruments to surgeon and/or assistant as appropriate.
• Communicate needs to circulators to ensure efficient and uninterrupted progress of procedure.
• Prepare and preserve specimens.
• Verify name, strength, and dosage of medication with circulator; confirms, labels, and places on surgical field.
• Clean and disinfect all tables, counter surfaces, stands, and floor.
• May help transport patients and restock the operating room.
• Perform other duties as assigned