Perioperative Technical Lead

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Surgical Services Technical Lead is a Licensed Practical Nurse with surgical technology credentials and sterile processing certification who provides direct surgical scrub support and daily technical leadership within Perioperative Services. Actively scrubbing surgical and procedural cases is the position’s primary responsibility and constitutes a substantial portion of the daily workload.

The Technical Lead prepares and maintains the sterile field, anticipates the needs of the surgical team, and demonstrates proficiency in the instruments, equipment, and techniques used across KVH’s surgical services. The position maintains full competency in sterile processing and actively performs these duties as needed.

Under the direction of the Perioperative Director, the Technical Lead coordinates daily work, provides technical guidance and coaching, and assists with orientation, training, and competency validation for surgical technologists and sterile processing staff. The role also supports environmental services staff assigned to Surgical Services, coordinates supplies and inventory, and helps maintain consistent standards for patient safety, infection prevention, and department readiness.

The Technical Lead will be cross-trained to provide preoperative and postoperative nursing support within the LPN scope of practice, demonstrated competency, and KVH policy. These duties are performed under RN direction and supervision and coordinated with the position’s primary scrub and technical lead responsibilities.

This is a working lead position with delegated responsibility for daily workflow and technical oversight. It is not a manager or assistant manager position. The Perioperative Director retains responsibility for department management, staffing plans, budget approval, formal performance evaluations, and personnel actions.

Full-time benefits include medical, vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage, as well as HSA/FSA, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, retirement plans, and generous Paid Time Off.

Qualifications

Minimum Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications):

Safety Sensitive per WASB5123: Yes

• High school diploma or GED.
• Graduate of an approved practical nursing program.
• Current LPN license or valid authorization to practice as an LPN in Washington.
• Completion of a surgical technology education or training pathway acceptable to KVH.
• Current national surgical technology certification or Washington surgical technologist registration, as accepted by KVH for this position.
• Sterile processing certification through a nationally recognized credentialing organization required within one year of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) required within 90 days of start date.
• Completion of department cross-training and competency validation before accepting assigned preoperative and postoperative nursing duties.

Experience:

• At least five years of perioperative services experience, with demonstrated proficiency sufficient to perform assigned scrub duties and serve as a technical resource to others.
• Demonstrated experience and competency in the full sterile processing workflow used at KVH.
• Previous lead, preceptor, staff training, or competency assessment experience required.
• Experience with surgical supply ordering, inventory control, and instrument management preferred.
• Previous preoperative or postoperative nursing experience is preferred.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Surgical Scrub Responsibilities

• Regularly scrubs surgical and procedural cases as the position’s primary responsibility.
• Reviews scheduled cases and prepares instruments, equipment, supplies, and the sterile field.
• Anticipates surgical team needs and assists with intraoperative tasks within authorized scope and competency.
• Maintains sterile technique and promptly addresses breaks in practice.
• Participates in surgical counts with the circulating RN and handles specimens according to policy.
• Provides intraoperative assistance under the surgeon’s immediate supervision, including tissue retraction for exposure, sponging, suctioning, irrigation assistance, and cutting sutures placed by the surgeon, within applicable scope, documented competency, and KVH policy. This responsibility does not authorize practice as a surgical first assistant.
• Maintains preference cards and assists with documenting specialty supplies and implants used.

Sterile Processing Responsibilities

• Maintains full proficiency and actively performs decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution.
• Guides staff in following manufacturer instructions and approved processing procedures.
• Reviews sterilization monitoring, documentation, and instrument traceability.
• Addresses compromised instruments, processing failures, and equipment concerns through established procedures.
• Coordinates instrument availability, loaner trays, repairs, and maintenance needs.

Lead Responsibilities, Training, and Competency

• Coordinates daily technical work within parameters established by the Perioperative Director.
• Precepts and coaches surgical technology and sterile processing staff.
• Helps develop orientation materials and competency tools; tracks completion and validates skills within designated authority and expertise.
• Provides performance feedback and reports unresolved training, practice, or personnel concerns to the Director.
• Organizes lead activities to maintain uninterrupted attention to assigned scrub duties.

Environmental Services Support

• Provides functional guidance to surgical environmental services staff in coordination with Environmental Services leadership.
• Supports room turnover, terminal cleaning, and readiness using approved cleaning and infection prevention practices.
• Assists with training and competency review and follows up on deficiencies with Environmental Services leadership and Infection Prevention.

Supplies, Inventory, and Operational Readiness

• Monitors inventory, expiration dates, storage conditions, and case supply needs.
• Coordinates ordering, replenishment, and inventory counts within approved purchasing processes and spending limits.
• Addresses shortages with Purchasing and recommends stock levels, replacements, and opportunities to reduce waste.

Preoperative and Postoperative Nursing Support

• Completes cross-training and competency validation before accepting preoperative or postoperative assignments.
• Assists with patient preparation, information collection, vital signs, documentation, and assigned nursing care under RN direction and supervision.
• Provides postoperative support for patients appropriate for LPN assignment; promptly reports changes and assists with authorized interventions.
• Reinforces established patient education and discharge instructions.
• Supports RN-led admission, recovery, and discharge. The RN retains responsibility for comprehensive assessment, care planning, and evaluation of discharge readiness.
• Coordinates assignments to maintain safe coverage of scrub, sterile processing, and lead duties.

Professional Practice and Department Accountability

• Upholds KVH’s mission, values, policies, and patient rights, privacy, and dignity.
• Practices within applicable credentials, competency, and required supervision.
• Follows safe handling and disposal procedures and participates in quality improvement.
• Maintains required credentials and competencies; attends at least 80% of department meetings and all mandatory in-services.
• Participates in call coverage and performs other duties as assigned.