Operating Room Surgical Tech - job 1 of 2

As an Operating Room Surgical Tech at Emory Healthcare, your responsibilities will include preparing and maintaining the operating room for surgeries, assisting surgeons and nurses during procedures, and ensuring that all necessary supplies and equipment are available and sterile. You’ll also be involved in patient care—monitoring their responses and identifying any issues that arise during surgical procedures, making this role critical to patient safety and procedure success.

To become an Operating Room Surgical Tech at Emory Healthcare, you need a high school diploma or equivalent. Graduation from an accredited surgical technology program is preferred, along with certification in Surgical Technology and at least two years of multispecialty experience. You'll also need a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification according to the American Heart Association.

The typical work schedule for an Operating Room Surgical Tech at Emory Healthcare runs from 6:40 am to 5:10 pm, but be prepared for on-call duties and occasional late stays based on surgical needs. Flexibility is key as you may be required to float between different service lines based on demand.

At Emory Healthcare, we value professional development and offer ongoing mentorship, leadership programs, and opportunities to specialize further in surgical technology. As you gain experience and expertise in different surgical specialties, there's great potential for advancing into more senior tech roles or specialized areas.

Emory Healthcare offers a comprehensive benefits package for Operating Room Surgical Techs, including health benefits starting on your first day, student loan repayment assistance, family-focused benefits, and wellness incentives. These benefits are designed to support your overall well-being both at work and at home.

Certainly! Highlight specific procedures you’ve worked on, emphasizing your role and responsibilities. Discuss how you’ve prepared the room, your interactions with the surgical team, and how you have ensured the safety and effectiveness of patient care during those procedures.

Discuss your ability to assess the needs of the surgical team and anticipate what will be required throughout the procedure. Explain how you might communicate effectively with the surgeons and nurses to ensure a smooth surgical process and address any issues that arise promptly.

Explain your understanding of sterile techniques, including proper handwashing, the use of sterilized instruments, and maintaining a clean workspace. You might also share examples of how you’ve identified and resolved potential breaches in sterility in past roles.

Share a specific example of a challenging scenario you faced, whether it was a patient reaction or an equipment issue. Describe how you handled the situation, whom you communicated with, and what the outcome was, showcasing your problem-solving abilities.

Mention any professional organizations you belong to, such as the Association of Surgical Technologists, or how you attend workshops and continuing education courses. Highlighting your commitment to ongoing learning shows you're proactive about professional growth in the surgical field.

Think of a time when a surgeon decided to modify the procedure at the last moment. Explain your role in adjusting to the changes, how you communicated with the team, and how you ensured that all necessary equipment and supplies were still ready.

Emphasize that teamwork is vital for ensuring patient safety and successful surgical outcomes. Share your experiences working collaboratively with surgical teams and how open communication and mutual respect foster an effective working environment.

Outline your responsibilities, such as preparing the patient for surgery by educating them about the procedure as well as performing post-operative tasks like ensuring the patient is stable and monitoring for any complications. This shows your holistic approach to patient care.

Explain the procedures you follow to count instruments before and after surgery, taking care to explain the importance of this process for patient safety. Describe how you keep track of instruments visually and through written documentation.

Discuss how your passion for patient care and being part of a vital surgical team motivates you. Share personal anecdotes that relate to the impact you’ve had on patients' recovery and overall health, which can convey your commitment and dedication to this impactful role.