BRANDY LOPEZ

Lead Senior Certified Surgical Technologist, Supply Coordinator, Sterile Process coordinator, Operating Room Coordinator, Surgical First Assistant

July 2023- Current

Beauty by Balinger, The Center for Plastic Surgery.

841 Yale Street, Ste 300, Houston, TX 77007

At Beauty by Balinger, my roles are to effectively coordinate all surgical procedures. All operating room staff are booked per physician block schedule. Operating room supplies are pulled in accordance with physicians' preference cards. Preference card management includes routine updates every six months, or when physician recommendations need to be modified immediately. Effectively communicating with all vendors, clinical personnel, and reserving operating room equipment, such as lasers, video towers, scopes, implants, specialized suture medications, and supplies. Proficient in assisting during surgical procedures. Adept at retracting tissue and organs, well-versed in medical terminology and human anatomy. To provide the highest standard of sterile technique during all operating room procedures and in-office procedures. Highly skilled in skin closure techniques of the deep fascia layer, subcuticular dermal layer, and epidermal layer under the direct supervision of the operating room physician. I am well-known for demonstrating the ability to problem-solve and 'MacGyver' under intense pressure, while upholding professionalism and ethics. All surgeries are performed in a 'single scrub' atmosphere. The ability to adapt from the Surgical Technologist role into the Surgical Assist role is an acquired skill set mastered through years of experience. In our facility, operating room staff are required to remove all soiled instrumentation to be transported to decontamination. During this process, all instrumentation is sprayed with enzyme spray, followed by disinfecting, and final sterilization. Autoclaves, records, Bovie Dicks test, biologics, and instrument storage are maintained in accordance with AORN, ASC, and Quad A. This role is crucial to perform to ensure our patients' safety. Maintaining the ability to be flexible in my roles has given me the opportunity to build strong, reliable relationships within my team members, departments, vendors, Physicians, and patients.

Senior Certified Surgical Technologist III, Resource Lead Surgical Technologist, LEAN/ KAIZEN Expert

September 2021- July 2023

Houston Methodist The Woodlands

17201 Interstate 45 S.

The Woodlands TX 77385

During my time at Conroe I was recruited by Houston Methodist to join their team of experts to improve their OR turn over times and developed a process to continuously update preference cards throughout the Methodist Healthcare System. During this recruitment I received certification in LEAN and was Lead Surgical Technologist for the project "Turn over" and Primary Kaizen Expert in second project of "Preference Card Standardization". With success our turn overs improved from an average of 50 minutes to 25 minutes. In additional to LEAN my responsibilities are but not limited to my specialization of Plastics, Micro-Vascular, Plastic Recon (Free flaps/ Diep flaps), Orthopedics, Podiatry, General Surgery, Robotics, GYN, ENT, Neurology, and Maxillofacial Surgery. As Resource Lead Surgical Technologist precepting Surgical Techs, Registered Nurse's, and students to an extensive variety of surgical specialties are required. In junction to precepting, coordination of vendors and impants to surgical schedules in advance to better improve surgical flow. As Senior Scrub I also was floated through out the OR to better improve employee shortage in OR rooms and was scheduled as requested per Physican demand.

Certified Surgical Technologist III, Lead Coordinator Trauma Services

06/2020-09/2021

HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe

504 Medical Center Blvd

Conroe, TX

During the epidemic breakout of Covid-19 the demand for a Lead Surgical Technologist in trauma services was offered to me at HCA Healthcare Conroe. I made the decision to accept a lateral transfer to HCA's sister facility as the Lead Coordinator of Trauma services and Surgical Technologist III. Leadership requirements were to have a broad experience in the following specialties, Orthopedics, Neurology, Vascular, Robotics, Gynecology, Urology, ENT Head/Neck, Podiatry, General, Plastic Reconstructive and Cosmetic including Oncology reconstruction of Diep flaps, and Maxillofacial. Coordinating the specialties with surgeon demands and full communication with Operating Room Staff, Vendors, and Sterile Processing Department. Proper organization of instrumentation per specialty area to meet the expectations of Physician recommendations. Financial obligations of supply and demand for specialty items per quarterly allowance. Training staff on vendor consignment trays such as Synthes, Arthrex, Stryker, Smith & Nephew, Biomet Zimmer, Medtronic, Skeletal Dynamics, Acumed, Landmarx, Acclarant, Paragon, and Navigation. Teaching proper personnel how to gain hands on experience on surgical equipment including inservice's on Hanna, Trios, Jackson flat Top, Arch attachments, radiolucent attachments, Mayfeild, Halo, Navigation, Liposuction machines, Arthroscopy, Devinci, Stryker Core, Spy Phy, Midas, and Misonix in junction with other medical devices.

Certified Surgical Technologist III, Lead Tech

01/2018 - 06/2020

HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest

710 Cypress Creek Pkwy

Houston TX 77090

(281) 440-1000

Certified Surgical Technologist at Northwest Medical Center are required to be universal in most specialties. Northwest Medical Center has increased in Trauma level as of this year. Due to the increase in traumas we as a team have specialized in orthopedics, general, Maxillofacial, Neuro, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery. I personally am part of the Orthopedics, Maxillofacial, Plastic Reconstructive and Cosmetics team. We as scrubs at HNW maintain all sterility, aseptic technique, case preparation, maintain proper instrument and sharps counts according to hospital policy. We as a team are to maintain trust and confidence between surgeon, nursing staff, and patients. My skills have helped HNW better train their staff for trauma level and have felt my job here as been accomplished. I would like to extend my skills at level 1 and 2 Trauma Centers. In conjunction with trauma care I have experience in General, pediatrics, Bariatrics, Neuro, and Podiatry for inpatient as well as outpatient care. As a Surgical Technologist are to think outside of the box and anticipate the needs of the surgeon and our surgical team. The ability to prepare for scheduled cases, add on cases, and level 1 traumas. Organization of supplies and instrumentation to have a better and more effective count per surgical procedures. To have acknowledgement of human anatomy and proper utilization of instrumentation -per surgical site. To perform as a team leader for more improved quality care for the patient and hospital.

Certified Surgical Technologist III, Sterile Processing Tech, Endoscope Tech & Case Tech

10/2016-11/2017

Surgical Care Affiliates of Baton Rouge Louisiana (BRASS)

5328 Didesse Dr

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

(225) 766-1718

As a Surgical Tech our responsibilities at BRASS are to single scrub all surgical procedures, anticipate, prepare procedures, count all sponges, sharps and instrumentation according to protocol. Full knowledge of sterility and ownership to individual OR suite. Assist physician will all required skills of a First Assist including and not limited to retracting proper skin layers, assist in cauterization, locating lumen's of arterial and ventricular bleeds, proper dissection, basic knowledge of anatomy and closure of skin layers under direct supervision of Physician.

As a Sterile Processing tech my responsibilities are decontamination, assembly, inspecting, wrapping, and sterilization of surgical instruments and medical equipment for Surgical Services in the operating room. Including sterilization process by using internal, external and biological monitoring systems appropriately. Monitors, reads, document, and interpret all parameters for all types of sterilizers to insure proper function. (Steam, Eto & Sterrad).

Endoscope tech is required to assist the physician during GI endoscopy procedures, and is responsible for reprocessing endoscopes with high level disinfectants. Organization of documentation per scope to patient logs. Proper storage and organization of EGD scopes and equipment.

Case tech responsibilities are to pull physician case cards and prepare surgical supplies, instrumentation, and medical equipment per case card for next day scheduled surgical procedures.

Reason for leaving: Spousal career relocation

Certified Surgical Technologist III, Surgical Assistant

09/2013- 08/1/2016

Dr. Brian Humphreys M.D. F.A.C.S.

121 Gaslight Medical Parkway

Suite 100

Lufkin Texas 75904

(936) 699-3141

Given my skills and universal acknowledgement Woodland Heights Chief of Surgery, Dr. Brian Humphreys M.D. F.A.C.S., of Lufkin Texas, a reputable ENT Head and Neck surgeon requested my skills in professionally assisting his surgeries and patients only. Responsibilities are to under his supervision conduct proper surgical requirements of a CST, Coordinator, and to practice hand in hand as his Surgical First Assistant in surgery and in office. Scheduling surgeries, blocking surgery days with scheduling. Dictating in office procedures via computer under his direct supervision. Designating surgical staff to position, prep, and collect supplies and instruments requested for cases. Sterile draping, injection or application of anesthetic to the patient. "To think as him". Dissection and retraction of all bodily organs and adequate observation of veins, arteries, and nerves. Suture closure as required to his preference with conclusion of cleaning patients with secured dressings from operating room departures. Required to take physician call schedule and perform in office setting. Those responsibilities included greeting patients, recording of vitals and reason of visits. Full control of coordination of in office procedures. Post operative follow up appointments and to type over 70 WPM. Return consultation request with joined assistance and transportation of equipment to and from office. Schedule surgical procedures, creation of surgical orders, perform Tympanogram tracings and Otoacoustic's for the delayed hearing impaired. In office sterilization of instrumentation post operative procedures.

Reason for leaving: Spousal Career relocation

Lead Coordinator of ENT, Ophthalmology, Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, Certified Surgical Technologist II

01/2013-09/2013

CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial Hospital

1201 W Frank Ave

Lufkin, TX 75904

Due to quick hands on and skill I was promoted and acquired the following responsibilities in junction of CST duties. Meetings with vendors and scheduling in-services for surgical personnel for new technologies introduced into our specialties. Order of all specialty items such as supplies, mechanical equipment, and surgical instrumentation. Access to change and update surgical preference cards. Coordination of specialty trays per surgeon request and ordering of proper sterile process material and cases.

Certified Surgical Technologist I

04/2012-09/2013

CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial Hospital

1201 W Frank Ave,

Lufkin, TX 75904

(936) 634-8111

Responsibilities are to facilitate the safe and effective

conduct of invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures. To ensure that all operating room equipment functions properly and supplies are coordinated accordingly to procedure(s) posted. Maintain proper sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and the skill to anticipate surgical instrumentation as desired. Positioning of patients with full acknowledgement of patient and hospital personnel safety. Ability to lift and communicate in a fast pace environment.

Surgical Assistant of Woodland Heights Chief of Surgery

Preceptor of the Year 2012

Senior Surgical Technologist

Kaizen Project Expert for Houston Methodist The Woodland

Senior Preceptor

Tech in Surgery- Certified (NCCT) ID 784630

BLS