Surgical Support Technician, Operating Room, Rotating

Job Description

Job DescriptionCompany Description

Experience the highest level of appreciation at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center — named Top Workplace in the Baltimore area by The Baltimore Sun two years in a row (2019 & 2020); Top Workplace in the USA for 2021! As part of the acclaimed University of Maryland Medical System, our facility is one of three ANCC Pathway to Excellence® designated hospitals in Maryland. UM BWMC features one of the state’s busiest emergency departments, as well as a team of experts who care for our community and one another.

The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UMBWMC) provides the highest quality health care services to the communities we serve. Our medical center is home to leading-edge technology, nationally recognized quality, personalized service and outstanding people. We have 285 licensed beds and we’re home to 3,200 employees and over 800 physicians.

Our expert physicians and experienced, compassionate staff are connected to medical practices in the local community as well as at University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore. For patients, this means access to high-quality care and research discoveries aimed at improving Maryland’s health. Our physicians and nursing staff specialize in emergency, acute, medical-surgical and critical care. In addition, our medical center is home to many Centers of Excellence, offering expert outpatient health care.

Job Description

ROTATING DAY/EVE Shift - 645a-315p, 645a-515p, 11a-7p, 11p-7a

General Summary

This role supports a safe, clean, and well-prepared surgical environment by assisting with patient transport, specimen transport, equipment setup, and maintaining sterile conditions. Prepares operating rooms, manages supplies, and responds to emergent needs as directed. Maintains effective communication with patients, staff, and healthcare teams, and adheres to infection control protocols and safety standards.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.
1. Establishes and maintains courteous and effective relationships with patients, visitors, co-workers, and other members of the health care team; demonstrates sensitivity and awareness to the needs of patients, visitors and co-workers and responds promptly to verbal and/or written instructions.

2. Transfers patient from bed, chair, wheelchair, OR table, or stretcher with devices in “locked” position.

3. Uses appropriate body mechanics in moving, lifting and transporting surgical equipment and instrumentation.

4. Transports surgical patients when other team members are not available.

5. Transports and provides surgical instruments, equipment and supplies for surgical cases when needed. Assists in opening sterile supplies as directed by OR team.

6. Assists in arranging the OR suite for surgery. Assists in the transfer of patients from stretcher to the operating room (OR) table. Under the direction of the circulating nurse, sets up equipment and supplies appropriate for the surgical procedure.

7. Maintains cleanliness in assigned areas which includes operating room suites and sub-sterile areas, and other specified locations.

8. Follows infection control policies and implements categories of isolation per departmental standard precautions and expanded precautions (i.e. contact, droplet, airborne).

9. Applies aseptic technique when carrying out procedures or following unit protocols that require sterile conditions.

10. Follows Hazardous waste precautions. Decontaminates furniture and equipment with appropriate solutions. Disposes of contaminated laundry, trash and suction material.

11. Functions in the role of surgical support technologist using standards and recommendations as directed.

12. Demonstrates aseptic technique using the standard Universal precautions. Maintains a sterile environment in accordance with aseptic techniques.

13. Maintains patient safety during positioning including the lithotomy position, the prone position, and the lateral position.

14. Anticipates equipment conflicts; respond to urgent and emergent needs with alternative solution to ensure surgical team and circulator supported throughout the case.

15. Identifies Personal Protective Equipment and its indicated uses. Must wear appropriate surgical attire according to policy in (and out) of the surgical environment (i.e. hat, shoe covers, scrubs, etc.).

16. Transports and receive specimens to/from the Laboratory department as needed (i.e. blood, blood products and pathology samples).

17. Facilitates the transport and storage of sterile supplies, intravenous and irrigation fluids within the perioperative environment.

18. Assists in the OR suite during various preparatory procedures (i.e. holding various limbs during prepping process and hair clipping). Assists with connection and operation of equipment before and after procedures.

19. Assists staff in moving equipment and returning equipment to proper area of storage.

20. Makes beds, replaces supplies and prepares equipment for next case. Prepares procedure room at the end of the day and returns it to ready status.

21. Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

1. High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) is required.

2. One (1) year of previous experience as operating room assistant or hospital support services preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated knowledge of universal blood and body fluids precautions and aseptic technique.

2. Demonstrates knowledge of role in Operating Room emergency procedures (i.e. code, malignant hyperthermia, and fire).

3. Highly effective verbal communication and interpersonal skills with patients, visitors, and other healthcare team members to establish working relationships that foster optimal quality of patient care.

4. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Compensation:

• Pay Range: $18.57 - $25.99
• Other Compensation (if applicable): May be eligible for shift differential.
• Review the 2025-2026 UMMS Benefits Guide

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