Surgical Technician at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya

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    Surgical Technician

    Posted

    1 week ago

    Apply by

    31 Aug

    Full Time
    On Site
    Entry
    Healthcare, Medical & Pharmaceutical
    Trades & Services

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    Job Description

    The Surgical Technician is responsible for maintaining the sterile field during surgical procedures, executing high-level disinfection and sterilization practices, and ensuring the integrity of surgical instruments and specimens. This role involves active participation in surgical counts, time-out protocols, and assisting in specialized ART/IVF procedures.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Establishes, maintains, and continuously monitors the sterile field throughout surgical procedures, in strict adherence to institutional infection control policies.
    • Executes High-Level Disinfection HLD and sterilization practices under the direct supervision of an RN.
    • Identifies and promptly rectifies any breaches in sterility, fostering a proactive culture of infection control.
    • Performs collaborative, systematic surgical counts sharps, sponges, instruments with the Circulating RN before, during, and after procedures as per surgical count guideline.
    • Actively participates in Time-Out and sign out protocols.
    • Anticipates the surgeon's needs, efficiently and safely passing instruments.
    • Assists in specialized ART/IVF procedures, strictly enforcing dual patient identifiers and specimen verification protocols under the direction of an RN or Embryologist.
    • Safeguards specimen integrity during transport and handling, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for mislabeling or specimen mix-ups.
    • Ensures the timely setup of fertility suites, verifying that all required specialty packs, specimen containers, instrumentation, and equipment are prepared prior to the commencement of each case.
    • Collaborates with the Circulating RN to execute rapid, compliant room turnover between cases, thereby optimizing workflow and scheduling efficiency.
    • Inspects all instruments for functionality and cleanliness prior to use.
    • Performs point-of-use enzymatic pretreatment immediately following cases to preserve the surgical instruments integrity and facilitate subsequent sterilization.
    • Accounts for all instrumentation post-procedure to prevent loss, and promptly reports damaged or malfunctioning tools to Central Sterile Supply Department CSSD and the RN.

    Required Qualifications

    • Diploma in perioperative technology from a recognized institution TVET or its equivalent
    • Heart saver Certificate from AHA
    • Licensed by The Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority KHPOA.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Trades & Services

    Education Level

    Diploma

    Area of Study

    Health Sciences

    Field of Study

    Perioperative Technology

    Languages

    English

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Visit the application link provided on this page to submit your application.

    Master the Sterile Field: What Hiring Managers Probe

    This role is the backbone of surgical safety. Hiring teams want to see that you can think on your feet, follow protocols to the letter, and keep your cool under pressure. They'll be looking for proof that you understand the why behind every step, not just the how.

    1. Know Your Sterile Technique Cold: Be ready to explain the principles of sterile technique and how you've applied them in real scenarios. Give a specific example of a time you caught a breach and what you did. They want to see that you're proactive, not reactive.

    2. Show Your Count Discipline: Surgical counts are non-negotiable. Emphasize your experience with counting protocols and your meticulous attention to detail. Mention any times you've prevented a potential issue by catching a discrepancy.

    3. Highlight Your HLD and Sterilization Skills: Be prepared to discuss your experience with high-level disinfection and sterilization methods. Know the difference between them and the guidelines you follow. If you've used specific equipment, name it.

    4. Demonstrate Your IVF/ART Familiarity: Since this role involves ART/IVF procedures, show that you understand the importance of specimen integrity and dual patient identifiers. If you have any experience in fertility settings, highlight it. If not, show that you've studied the protocols.

    5. Talk About Teamwork Under Pressure: Surgical suites are high-stress environments. Give examples of how you've collaborated with nurses and surgeons to ensure smooth operations. Emphasize your communication skills and ability to anticipate needs.

    6. Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Expect questions like 'Tell me about a time you made a mistake' or 'How do you handle a surgeon who is frustrated?' Use the STAR method to structure your answers. Be honest and show what you learned.

    7. Show Your Commitment to Safety: This role is all about patient safety. Talk about times you've gone above and beyond to ensure safety, whether it's double-checking labels or speaking up when something didn't seem right. They want to see that safety is your top priority.

    8. Ask Smart Questions: At the end of the interview, ask about the team dynamics, the types of procedures you'll be involved in, and the hospital's approach to continuing education. This shows you're genuinely interested and thinking long-term.

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    Tags

    sterile field
    infection control
    surgical counts
    ART/IVF
    perioperative