CLINICAL PRACTICE OBJECTIVES

During the clinical practice period, the Surgical Technology student will learn to assist the professional nurse, while scrubbing or circulating to maintain a safe patient-centered environment.  The student reviews procedures and specific needs prior to assisting with each procedure.

• Scrubbing Role
• Assisting with Circulating Role
• Surgical Specialty

1.           Scrubbing Role
   As the learner begins scrubbing assignments, he/she will be a second scrub technician until the learner is confident that he/she may scrub alone.  According to the accepted method of the institution, the learner will:
   1.   Assist with the preparation of the room for the designated operative procedure.
   2. Scrub, dry, gown and glove.
   3. Assist first scrub in:
      1. Setting up case-back table, mayo and basins
      2. Arrangement of instruments
      3. Preparation of suture and needles
      4. Preparation and counting of sponges
      5. Arrangement and preparation of other necessary items
      6. Assistance with draping
      7. Arrangement of sterile field
   4. During the procedure, assume second scrub position; as soon as possible, progress from second scrubbed position to first scrubbed position.  Train self to keep eyes on field and learn steps of procedure.  Begin developing methods of anticipating the needs of surgeon and assistant.
   5. Towards completion of the procedures:
      1. Assist with the care of instrumentation
      2. Care of specimen
      3. Assist with dressing of wound.
   6. Completion of case:
      1. Assist with the gathering of all materials used during the procedure.
      2. Discard items as necessary, being careful to discard sharp items in designated places.
      3.   Return all items to respective areas.
      4. Assist with cleaning of room.
   7. Perform any duties which will expedite the following procedure.
2. Assisting with Circulating Role
   As the learner begins a circulating assignment, he/she will assist the circulating nurse in the operating room and may do the following - depending on the policy of the institute:
   1. Greet patient and assist nurse with identification.
   2. Check patient’s chart, pre-operative orders, operative permit.
      1. Preparation of room:
         1. Assist with the preparation of the room for the designated operative procedure.
         2. Open sterile supplies and sterilize items as needed.
         3. Assist in gowning scrub technician.
         4. Observe for breaks in technique.
         5. Assist anesthesiologist as necessary.
         6. Assist with skin prep, positioning.
         7. Assist with establishing a sterile field.
      2. Duties during procedure:
         1.    Remain in room and dispense materials as necessary.
         2. Observe procedure as closely as possible.
         3.    Begin establishing method of anticipating needs of team.
         4.    Care of specimen as indicated.
         5.   Care of operative records as indicated.
         6.    Assist with application dressings.  
      3. After procedure:
         1. Assist with the gathering of all materials used during the procedure.  Discard items as necessary, being careful to discard sharp items in designated place.
         2. Return all items to respective areas.
         3. Assist with cleaning of room.
         4. Assist with the continuity of other procedure to follow.
3.        Surgical Specialty
   As the learner begins his/her surgical specialty rotations, he/she should be assigned to as many procedures as the surgical rotation warrants in each respective institution. 

   It is mandatory for students to acquire 125 surgical cases with 35 cases being total independent in order  to meet Standard guidelines.  This will allow the student to partake in the National Certifying Exam.

   The Core Cases:
      A.  General Surgery
      B.  Gynecology-Obstetrics
      C.  Otorhinolaryngologic
      D.  Genitourinary
      E.  Orthopedic

   The Surgical specialties are:

   1. Ophthalmic
   2. Oral and maxillofacial
   3. Cardiothoracic
   4. Peripheral vascular
   5. Neurosurgical

Students are required to keep a log of each surgical procedure scrubbed

[Clinical Breakdown] [Scrub Duties] [Circulation Resposibilities] [Cost & Financial Aid]