OPERATING ROOM ASSISTANT

Description:

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital / Southern Vermont Health Services Corporation

Job Description: Part Time

Days: 12:00-4:30 M-F

FTE:

Job Title: Operating Room Assistant

Job Code: 399

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department Name: Perioperative Services

Location: Brattleboro, Vermont

JOB SUMMARY:

The Operating Room Assistant (ORA) functions as a member of the surgical team under the direct supervision of a registered perioperative nurse and/or the director. The ORA assists in maintaining a safe, efficient, and organized surgical environment. The ORA supports patient care activities and contributes to workflow efficiency within the sterile and non-sterile areas of the operating room. responsibilities include but are not Limited to:

Patient Care Support

Assists with patient transport to and from the operating room or PACU/ACU to Floors.
Assists with patient positioning and transfers under RN direction.
Assists in preparation of the operating room prior to patient arrival.
Supports patient comfort and safety measures as directed.
Assists with application of positioning devices and safety equipment.

Room Preparation & Turnover

• Assists with room turnover between cases, including cleaning and disinfection of surfaces according to infection prevention standards.
  Removes trash and linen in accordance with hospital and regulatory guidelines.
• Restocks supplies and ensures rooms are organized and ready for subsequent cases.
  Assists with equipment & room setup and breakdown as directed.

Equipment & Supply Management

• Retrieves equipment, supplies, blood products, and medications as requested by the perioperative team.
  Stocks core areas, sub-sterile rooms, and storage areas.
  Assists in maintaining par levels and communicating supply needs.
  Ensures equipment is cleaned and returned to proper storage locations

Communication & Coordination

• Relays messages between surgical team members, anesthesia, PACU/ACU, and other departments.
  Assists with clerical and secretarial duties as needed.
  Answers phones and assists with case flow coordination.
  Supports workflow efficiency by anticipating team needs.

Environmental & Safety Responsibilities

• Maintains a clean and safe environment in accordance with infection prevention and hospital standards.
  Follows proper PPE and sterile field awareness protocols.
  Reports safety concerns, equipment malfunctions, or supply issues promptly.
  Participates in quality and safety initiatives as requested.

DEPT. SCOPE OF SERVICE:

Perioperative Services consists of the Operating Room (OR), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU), Endoscopy, Minor Procedures and Sterile Processing Dept. Patients are cared for from 10 months until the end of life. General surgery, OB/GYN, orthopedic, urology, dental, ophthalmology, and podiatry are performed in the three rooms. Endoscopy is performed in the Endo suite or OR Rooms. Cesarean sections are performed in the Birthing Center operating room.

Perioperative Services is staffed by Registered Nurses, Surgical Technologists, Scheduler/Assistant Staffing Coordinators, Sterile Processing Technicians, LNA, Operating Room Assistant, OR & ACU/ PACU Supervisors and a Director of Perioperative Services.

The OR provides care 24 hrs a day, each day of the year for patients aged ten months until the end of life. The OR’s elective schedule is from 7:00am to 3:30pm. Care is coordinated between physician offices, the OR, Anesthesiology, and the Perioperative Director. Predictable starting times for surgery and admitting times for patients are established by the Director or designee.

The PACU has an area for the immediate preoperative care and reassessment of patients for surgery, for the admission and discharge of select ACU patients, and primarily, for the provision of intensive observation and care of patients following operative and special procedures.

Sterile Processing processes and decontaminates instruments and equipment for the OR and Nursing Units house wide.

The ACU, cares for surgical /medical patients, and providing pre and postoperative care and education services.

Pre Anesthesia Screening area is staffed by a RN’s, Workflow Coordinator and Unit Secretary. Patients are interviewed prior to surgery, pre-op consults and test results reviewed and anesthesia guidelines followed to assure adequate patient assessment and preparation prior to surgery.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: High school graduate or equivalent preferred.

Experience: One year’s clinical experience in accredited hospital with OR experience preferred.

Licensure/Certification: None Required

Mental Efforts: Requires manual dexterity.

Normal vision/hearing or corrected.

Environment & Working Conditions: Potential exposure to hazardous material, body fluids, bloodborne pathogens and communicable diseases.

OSHA CATEGORY

• OSHA Category I - Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues require use of techniques of Universal Precautions as evidenced with blood borne pathogens standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities.
• Standing - Up to 1/3
• Walking - Up to 1/3
• Sitting - 2/3 or more
• Talking or Hearing - 2/3 or more
• Use of hands to finger, handle or feel - Up to 1/3
• Pushing/Pulling - None
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling - None
• Reaching with hands and arms - Up to 1/3
• Tasting or smelling - None

This position requires that weight be lifted or force be exerted.

• Up to 10 pounds - 2/3 or more
• Up to 25 pounds - 1/3 to 1/2
• Up to 50 pounds - Up to 1/3
• Up to 100 pounds - None
• More than 100 pounds - None

This position has special vision requirements.

• Close Vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Ability to Adjust Focus (ability to adjust eye to bring an object into sharp focus)

WORK ENVIORNMENT

• This position requires exposure to the following environmental conditions.
• Wet, humid conditions (non-weather) - up to 1/4
• Work near moving mechanical parts - Up to 1/3
• Fumes or airborne particles - Up to 1/3
• Toxic or caustic chemicals - Up to 1/3
• Outdoor weather conditions - None
• Extreme cold (non-weather) - None
• Extreme heat (non-weather) - None
• Risk of electrical shock - None
• Work with explosives - None
• Risk of radiation - Low
• Vibration - Low
• The typical noise level for the environment is: Moderate
• Ability to hear calls
• Ability to hear instructions from physician/department staff/others

EEO/ADA Statement

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regard to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources.

Compensation Disclosure in Accordance with Vermont Act 155

In compliance with Vermont Act 155, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital provides the compensation range for this position in good faith. The listed range represents the pay scale reasonably expected for a successful candidate based on factors such as relevant experience, education, internal equity, and market competitiveness. Final compensation will be determined during the hiring process.