Personal and Professional Relationships
n The calling
n JCAHO (Joint Commission of Accredited Hospitals Association) calls the surgical technologist an educated and trained individual in health care services.
n “The goal of a surgical technology program is not to get someone a job but to make one a surgical technologist.”
Surgical Technologist’s Lifestyle
n Little of the population know about us.
n Great knowledge about the human body.
n Involved in surgical procedures that the world thinks is either gross or miraculous.
n Our world is alien to non health care workers.
Surgical Technologist’s Lifestyle
n Weight of moral, legal, and professional obligations is ours to bear.
n Psychological events and outcomes.
n Excellence is always expected.
Surgical Technologist’s Lifestyle
n Duty and Obligation is our standard
n Accountability extends beyond the OR and interacts with one’s personal life.
Surgical Technologist’s Lifestyle
n Family inconvenience due to call.
n Social life put on hold due to call.
n Greater obligation for the care of your body from communicable disease.
n Details of personal information you cannot share with family and friends.
Surgical Technologist’s Lifestyle
n Many people don’t want to know about our exciting world.
n Isolation from the population may result due to the nature of the OR.
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Professional relations begin with competency and commitment at the workplace.
n “Enhancing the profession to ensure quality patient care.”
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Certification
n CAAHEP Accredited Schools
n LCC-ST
n CST – CST/CFA
n Specialty Practice and Employment
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Desirable Attributes for Success
n Care and Empathy
n Comprehend and convey
n Respect for Others
n Accept people as they are
n Emotional Self-Control
n Honesty and Ethical Behavior
n Admits error
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Desirable Attributes for Success (cont.)
n Manual Dexterity
n Organizational Skills
n Concentration
n Constant focused attention
n Possible short and long term problems
n Stress Hunger (hypoglycemia)
n Illness Lack of sleep
n Exhaustion Substance abuse
n Lack of interest or burnout
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Desirable Attributes for Success (cont.)
n Problem-Solving Skills
n Prioritizes activities
n Calmly seeks solution to any and all problems
n Uses time wisely
n Assesses own ability
n Demonstrates flexibility
n Selects the best alternative to achieve positive results
n Analyzes results and accepts feedback
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Sense of Humor
n “Humor when expressed appropriately, can create ease and relaxation.”
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Scope of Practice and State Jurisdiction
n Written hospital policy
n State nursing practice acts
n State medical boards
n State business and professional codes
n Dept of Health and Human Services
n JCAHO
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Unlicensed Surgical Technologist may not practice nursing.
n Activities that require nursing assessment and judgment
n Physical, psychological, and social assessment that require nursing judgment, referral, or intervention
n Design a nursing plan involving care and evaluation
n Administration of medication by any route
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Role of the Surgical Technologist
n STSR
n Assisting Circulator
n Circulator
n Preoperative
n Intraoperative
n Postoperative
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n Continuing education is important to the ST for two reasons:
n Continued personal development and improved patient safety.
n Continuing certification requires demonstration of continuing education.
n Community service is another feature of professional responsibility.
Surgical Technologist as a Professional
n The Surgical Technologist as a Preceptor
Homework
n Read Chapter 2
n Key Terms – workbook
n Due by next class