OB Technologist

UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP

18437 (NE S SEIU 925 HCP/LT)
22614 (NE H NI SEIU 925 HCP/LT)

BASIC FUNCTION

Assist health care professionals in obstetric (OB) operative procedures and in the examination and treatment of patients in Labor and Delivery. Obtain, assemble, and arrange sterile instruments and supplies used; pass appropriate instruments, sutures and supplies to surgeon during procedures; maintain patient safety throughout perioperative care; and perform a variety of health care and clerical support duties.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The primary responsibility is Operating Room (OR) support in Labor and Delivery (LD). Under general supervision, prepare operating room for surgical procedures; obtain, assemble, and arrange sterile instruments; and anticipate and pass instruments, sutures, and supplies required during operative procedures. When not in the OR, perform a variety of health care and clerical support duties in LD.

TYPICAL WORK

Prepare operating room prior to procedures by selecting sterile instruments from autoclave and/or sterile containers, arranging appropriate instruments for specific procedures, and arranging required equipment;

Maintain aseptic technique;

Anticipate and pass instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedures;

Count and document supplies used during procedures;

Assist with equipment preparation;

Assist with draping patients;

Assist with gowning and gloving physicians;

Assist with clean up after procedures;

Assist with dressing application and patient transfer;

Participate in training and orienting students and staff;

Perform related duties as required.

When not in the OR:

Perform direct patient care procedures including conducting basic laboratory and electrocardiogram tests, venipuncture, etc. Provide patient care post-treatment/procedure, newborn care, and patient instruction; and document provision of patient care;

Provide assistance to health care and other providers who are performing patient care procedures;

Observe and document in the medical record the patient’s physical and emotional condition and vital signs; recognize and report symptomalogy of common medical illnesses to physician or nurse;

Monitor patient flow to assure efficient operations;

Provide patient education such as information or instructions regarding procedures, vaccinations, care routines, discharge, etc.;

Use technology that promotes communication and delivery of care such as e-mail, glucometers, ORCA (patient care documentation system), databases, materials management ordering programs, etc.;

Recognize emergent/urgent problems and provide basic telephone screening;

Schedule new and return appointment; use computer system to check patients in and out;

Prepare medical record and document information to complete patient check-in process (or note patient cancellation/failure);

Transport patients and lab specimens;

Maintain designated level of supplies in specified areas, order medical and clerical supplies, and stock examination rooms; and assist in the general maintenance of the patient care areas of the department;

Maintain daily quality assurance and procedures for designated equipment;

Perform related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Completion of a Medical Assistant course accredited by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) AND one (1) year of experience in a health care setting;

Certification as a Surgical Technologist;

OR
High school graduation or equivalent
AND Three (3) years of experience as a Medical Assistant; OR

One (1) year of experience as an OB Technologist.

Legal Requirement
A Health Care Assistant (HCA) certification is required within 6 months of employment.
[Note: HCA certification is required for venipuncture and blood glucose testing. The most basic level of HCA certification (Level “A”) can be achieved through on-the-job training.]

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

10/01/2008: New Class