Gwendolyn Brignac
Marrero,LA
Summary
Dedicated medical professional with extensive experience in operating room environments, specializing in sterile and aseptic techniques, patient safety, and surgical instrumentation. Recognized for a strong ability to anticipate surgical needs and provide critical support to surgeons and OR staff, ensuring seamless procedures. Expertise in managing emergency situations with composure and precision while delivering exceptional pre- and post-operative patient care. Committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety in the operating room, complemented by excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Surgical Technologist
Saint Charles Parish Hospital
01.2025 - Current
- Assist on Opthalmology, Orthopedic, GYN, Urology, Podiatry and Endoscopy cases.
- Maintained high infection control standards.
- Prepared operating rooms with required instruments, ensuring efficient setup for various surgical cases.
- Setup operating and surgery rooms by preparing equipment and supplies for upcoming procedures.
- Minimized infection risks by strictly adhering to aseptic techniques when handling surgical supplies and equipment.
- Assist surgeons in complex procedures for optimal patient outcomes and reduced recovery time.
- Demonstrated exceptional adaptability when faced with unexpected challenges or changes during surgery, responding quickly without compromising patient safety or procedural success.
- Mentored new surgical technologists, sharing expertise and fostering their growth within the profession.
- Ensured proper care of surgical instruments through meticulous cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance processes.
- Maintained daily workflow, coordinating with operating room staff to prepare for scheduled and emergency cases.
- Managed operating room setup by cleaning and sterilizing instruments and surfaces, maintaining supply inventories, and organizing surgical tools.
- Provided compassionate support to patients experiencing anxiety or discomfort prior to surgery, helping alleviate concerns while maintaining professionalism.
- Enhanced patient safety by maintaining a sterile surgical environment and adhering to strict protocols.
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
Southeast Louisiana of Veterans Affairs
05.2018 - Current
- Assisted in Ophthalmology, Urology, Orthopedic, Robotic, Cardiovascular/Thoracic, Podiatry, ENT, Endoscopy and General surgical procedures
- Assisted surgeons in the operating room by preparing and passing instruments, equipment, and supplies to them during surgery.
- Prepared operating rooms with appropriate instruments, supplies and equipment needed for specific procedures.
- Maintained a sterile field environment throughout surgical procedures.
- Trained and supervised new staff members on proper surgical techniques and equipment handling.
- Ensured that all necessary supplies were available at the beginning of each shift or procedure.
- Performed counts of instruments, sharps and sponges with circulating nurse.
- Displayed knowledge of aseptic technique while setting up sterile fields for each procedure.
- Demonstrated proficiency in scrubbing for various types of surgeries.
- Stocked the OR suite with necessary supplies and medications required for each case.
- Prepared sterile instrument table, checking instruments and supplies for cleanliness and proper function.
- Applied knowledge of surgical procedures to anticipate needs of surgeon throughout intraoperative phase.
- Provided assistance with wound closure techniques such as suturing, stapling, gluing, taping, and tying knots.
- Collaborated with surgeons and surgical team members to ensure a successful outcome of each procedure.
- Inspected all medical instruments prior to use ensuring they are safe for sterilization and operation.
- Conducted regular inventory checks on medical equipment and supplies.
- Followed established policies and procedures related to infection control measures.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills when interacting with patients prior to their respective operations.
- Ordered surgical supplies.
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST II
Touro Infirmary Hospital
11.2015 - 05.2018
- Assisted on Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Neurology/Spine, GYN, Podiatry, Plastic/reconstruction, Robotics, Cardiovascular/Thoracic, Urology, Craniotomies, General Surgery, Endoscopy and Complex procedures.
- Assisted surgeons in the operating room by preparing and passing instruments, equipment, and supplies to them during surgery.
- Prepared operating rooms with appropriate instruments, supplies and equipment needed for specific procedures.
- Maintained a sterile field environment throughout surgical procedures.
- Trained and supervised new staff members on proper surgical techniques and equipment handling.
- Performed counts of instruments, sharps and sponges with circulating nurse.
- Displayed knowledge of aseptic technique while setting up sterile fields for each procedure.
- Stocked the OR suite with necessary supplies and medications required for each case.
- Ensured that all necessary supplies were available at the beginning of each shift or procedure.
- Prepared sterile instrument table, checking instruments and supplies for cleanliness and proper function.
- Assessed patient safety protocols before performing any procedure or task within the OR suite environment.
- Created and maintained aseptic surgical environment throughout intraoperative process.
- Inspected all medical instruments prior to use ensuring they are safe for sterilization and operation.
- Performed patient prepping duties including skin prep and positioning patients on the operating table according to surgeon's instructions.
- Removed instruments from operating room and returned to sterile processing.
- Oversaw equipment and supply inventory for service.
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
Touro Infirmary Hospital
11.2015 - 05.2018
- Prioritized and assembled standard and complex surgical instrumentation sets for surgical schedule.
- Utilized strong organizational skills to manage workflow in a timely manner.
- Utilized SPM system for tracking and recording surgical instrumentation and sterilization processes.
- Cleaned, sterilized and distributed supplies and instruments used in patient care.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills while interacting with staff members and physicians.
- Performed decontamination, assembly, packaging, sterilization and storage of surgical instrumentation according to established procedures.
- Inspected returned instruments for damage or wear prior to reprocessing them for reuse.
- Comprehensively reviewed manufacturer's instructions before using any new products or devices.
- Disassembled complex instrument sets in preparation for cleaning, sterilization and reassembly.
- Participated actively in staff meetings providing suggestions for improvement of processes within the department.
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
University Medical Center
06.2012 - 11.2015
- Prioritized and assembled standard and complex surgical instrumentation sets for surgical schedule.
- Utilized strong organizational skills to manage workflow in a timely manner.
- Utilized SPM system for tracking and recording surgical instrumentation and sterilization processes.
- Cleaned, sterilized and distributed supplies and instruments used in patient care.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills while interacting with staff members and physicians.
- Performed decontamination, assembly, packaging, sterilization and storage of surgical instrumentation according to established procedures.
- Inspected returned instruments for damage or wear prior to reprocessing them for reuse.
- Trained new employees on proper techniques associated with decontamination and sterilization processes.
- Maintained accurate records of all processed instruments in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Participated actively in staff meetings providing suggestions for improvement of processes within the department.
- Disassembled complex instrument sets in preparation for cleaning, sterilization and reassembly.
- Implemented effective strategies to reduce turnaround times on urgent orders while maintaining high levels of accuracy.
- Monitored temperature logs on daily basis to ensure proper functioning of autoclave units.
- Proficiently used computers to enter data into sterile processing tracking system for inventory management purposes.
- Conducted manual and mechanical cleaning of reusable instrumentation and equipment.
- Efficiently operated various types of sterilizers such as steam autoclaves and ethylene oxide chambers.
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST II
University Medical Center
07.2006 - 11.2015
- Assisted on all Trauma surgery, Orthopedics, Neuro Spine, Craniotomies, Ophthalmology, Urology, Endoscopy, Robotics, Cardiovascular/Thoracic, Podiatry, Bariatrics, ENT, GYN, Plastics/Reconstruction and General Surgery procedures.
- Assisted surgeons in the operating room by preparing and passing instruments, equipment, and supplies to them during surgery.
- Prepared operating rooms with appropriate instruments, supplies and equipment needed for specific procedures.
- Maintained a sterile field environment throughout surgical procedures.
- Trained and supervised new staff members on proper surgical techniques and equipment handling.
- Ensured that all necessary supplies were available at the beginning of each shift or procedure.
- Performed counts of instruments, sharps and sponges with circulating nurse.
- Displayed knowledge of aseptic technique while setting up sterile fields for each procedure.
- Demonstrated proficiency in scrubbing for various types of surgeries.
- Stocked the OR suite with necessary supplies and medications required for each case.
- Prepared sterile instrument table, checking instruments and supplies for cleanliness and proper function.
- Applied knowledge of surgical procedures to anticipate needs of surgeon throughout intraoperative phase.
- Created and maintained aseptic surgical environment throughout intraoperative process.
- Labeled medications to comply with departmental policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated proficiency in properly positioning patients for surgical procedures.
- Provided assistance with wound closure techniques such as suturing, stapling, gluing, taping, and tying knots.
- Inspected all medical instruments prior to use ensuring they are safe for sterilization and operation.
- Conducted regular inventory checks on medical equipment and supplies.
- Removed instruments from operating room and returned to sterile processing.
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST II
Charity Hospital
03.1993 - 08.2005
- Assisted on all Trauma, Neuro Spine, Craniotomies, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Urology, ENT, Cardiovascular/Thoracic, Podiatry, OB/GYN, General surgery, Endoscopy, and Complex procedures.
- Provided compassionate care to patients before, during and after their surgeries.
- Demonstrated excellent knowledge of medical terminology and surgical techniques.
- Anticipated needs of surgeon and other team members with regard to requirements of each surgical procedure.
- Utilized strong organizational skills to prioritize tasks effectively within a fast-paced setting.
- Cleaned operating rooms for surgeries, stocking and providing sterile instruments for surgeons for specific procedures.
- Ensured that operating rooms were properly stocked with necessary supplies prior to operations.
- Kept supplies ready for surgical procedures by inventorying stock, placing orders and verifying receipt.
- Performed various tasks as directed by surgeons such as suctioning, retracting tissue, holding organs or vessels out of the way.
- Acted quickly and decisively in emergency situations while maintaining composure under pressure.
- Managed inventory levels in order to maintain sufficient stock of supplies throughout the year.
- Assisted in prepping and draping patients for surgery, ensuring the safety of all involved.
- Displayed exceptional interpersonal skills while interacting with patients, families and colleagues.
- Successfully completed continuing education courses related to surgical assisting.
- Operated equipment including cautery machines, video cameras and other specialized instruments.
- Verified identity of patient and operative site.
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
Charity Hospital
03.1993 - 08.2005
- Prioritized and assembled standard and complex surgical instrumentation sets for surgical schedule.
- Utilized strong organizational skills to manage workflow in a timely manner.
- Utilized SPM system for tracking and recording surgical instrumentation and sterilization processes.
- Cleaned, sterilized and distributed supplies and instruments used in patient care.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills while interacting with staff members and physicians.
- Performed decontamination, assembly, packaging, sterilization and storage of surgical instrumentation according to established procedures.
- Inspected returned instruments for damage or wear prior to reprocessing them for reuse.
- Trained new employees on proper techniques associated with decontamination and sterilization processes.
- Comprehensively reviewed manufacturer's instructions before using any new products or devices.
- Maintained accurate records of all processed instruments in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Retrieved soiled equipment and decontaminates and prepared for re-issue.
- Monitored temperature logs on daily basis to ensure proper functioning of autoclave units.
- Applied knowledge of medical terminology to accurately label items for distribution within the hospital setting.
- Proficiently used computers to enter data into sterile processing tracking system for inventory management purposes.
Education
CERTIFICATE - HEALTHCARE STERILE PROCESSING
IAHCSMM
Denver, CO02.2015
CERTIFICATE - SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY
Delgado Community College
02.1993
Skills
- Certified CRCST
- Basic life support
- Pre- and post-surgical counts
- Surgical assistance
- Infection control protocols
- Workplace safety
- HIPAA proficiency
- Aseptic and sterilization techniques
- Multitasking
- Excellent communication
- Setting up and operating equipment
- Instrument sterilization
- Sterile technique proficiency
- Leadership qualities
- Equipment set up
- Surgical procedures
- Surgical instrumentation
- Sterile processing support
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Critical thinking
Certification
145808
Timeline
Surgical Technologist
Saint Charles Parish Hospital
01.2025 - Current
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
Southeast Louisiana of Veterans Affairs
05.2018 - Current
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST II
Touro Infirmary Hospital
11.2015 - 05.2018
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
Touro Infirmary Hospital
11.2015 - 05.2018
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
University Medical Center
06.2012 - 11.2015
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST II
University Medical Center
07.2006 - 11.2015
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST II
Charity Hospital
03.1993 - 08.2005
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
Charity Hospital
03.1993 - 08.2005
CERTIFICATE - SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY
Delgado Community College
CERTIFICATE - HEALTHCARE STERILE PROCESSING
IAHCSMM
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