Surgical Technician
Open To Work
James Choate
Jackson Purchase Medical Center
Anaheim,CA
Summary
Greetings,
I have worked in many different environments in the medical community:
1) Medical-Surgical.unit x2 yrs,
2) L&D Unit x1 yr,
3) ER x1 yr,
3) OMFS Clinics x 9 yrs in which 3 of those years I was the clinic manager.
4). Ophthalmology clinics x 4 1/2 yrs in which 3 of those years I was the clinic manager.
5). Pre-Op department x 1 yr.
6) Sterilization Processing Departments intermittently for 14 years.
7). Main Operating Rooms intermittently for 21 years.
8). CCU x6 months.
I graduated from the Naval School of Health Sciences Surgical Technologist school in San Diego, CA. in 2002 and have been a Surgical Technician for 19 of the past 23 years. I have worked in all surgical environments except for 'Hearts' and have minimal experience in 'Vascular'. I retired from the United States Navy in 2015, have been married for the past 20 years and currently seeking a fulfilling job in the medical community.
32
Years of experience
Work History
Surgical Technologist
1 Month- Prepared operating rooms with instruments, supplies, and sterile setups for surgical procedures.
- Maintained sterile field and followed aseptic technique throughout surgical cases.
- Passed instruments and supplies to surgeons and assistants during procedures.
- Verified counts of sponges, needles, and instruments to support patient safety.
- Positioned patients and supported draping procedures for operative access.
City Carrier Assistant
1 Month- Delivered mail and packages efficiently to residential and business locations.
- Maintained accurate records of deliveries and customer interactions.
- Adapted to changing routes and weather conditions to ensure timely service.
- Assisted in training new staff on delivery procedures and safety protocols.
Travel Surgical Technologist
5 Months- Assisted in surgical procedures by preparing instruments and maintaining sterile environments.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to ensure efficient workflow and patient safety protocols.
- Monitored inventory levels of surgical supplies, facilitating timely restocking and reducing delays.
- Enhanced patient care by providing support during pre-operative and post-operative phases.
- Assisted surgical teams with instrument preparation and sterilization processes.
- Maintained sterile field integrity during complex surgical procedures.
Rural Mail Carrier Associate
2 Months- I delivered the mail in a timely manner in a rural setting.
- Managed high-stress situations effectively, maintaining professionalism under pressure while resolving disputes or conflicts.
- Resolved customer complaints with empathy, resulting in increased loyalty and repeat business.
- Responded to customer requests for products, services, and company information.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns and providing accurate information.
- Developed strong product knowledge to provide informed recommendations based on individual customer needs.
- Developed rapport with customers through active listening skills, leading to higher retention rates and positive feedback from clients.
- Maintained detailed records of customer interactions, ensuring proper follow-up and resolution of issues.
- Collaborated with team members to develop best practices for consistent customer service delivery.
- Participated in training programs to enhance product knowledge and customer service skills.
Case Manager
2 Months- Coordinated client assessments, service plans, and follow-up to support ongoing case resolution.
- Managed caseload documentation, maintaining accurate records and timely updates in client information systems.
- Collaborated with healthcare, social service, and community providers to align care and referrals.
- Monitored client progress, identified barriers, and adjusted plans to support service continuity.
- Assisted homeless veterans with acquiring housing.
Surgical Technician
10 Months- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Developed strong organizational and communication skills through coursework and volunteer activities.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Surgical Technician for all services except Cardiothoracic.
Surgical Technician
3 Months- Anticipated surgeons needs and handed instruments and supplies to surgeons during procedures.
- Created unobstructive operative fields by using retractors, sponges, and suction and irrigating equipment.
- Collected, prepared and disposed of medical specimens.
- Contributed to positive patient outcomes by anticipating surgeons'' needs throughout procedures and reacting quickly to changes in situations.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Established a reputation for reliability, punctuality, and dedication to providing the highest level of surgical support in all situations.
- Prepared instruments for terminal sterilization and reset surgical suites for next procedure.
- Prepared patients for surgery by cleaning and disinfecting surgical sites and positioning patients.
- Actively participated in continuous education on surgical procedures and techniques, contributing to personal and team growth.
- Passed instruments and supplies to surgical team members to provide surgeons with necessary tools to complete procedures.
- Handled and prepared specimens for laboratory analysis to provide surgeons with relevant information.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to facilitate efficient procedure flows, enhancing patient outcomes.
Sterile Processing Technician
2 Months- Recorded biologicals and test results.
- Corrected instrument sets according to current standards and established count sheets and instrument tracking systems.
- Wrapped trays, instrument packs, and sets.
- Assessed instruments, equipment, and containers to promote cleanliness and proper functioning.
- Verified and maintained proper documents and records for sterilization.
- Picked instruments and supplies for surgeries.
- Inspected sterile package integrity prior to distribution.
- Identified parameters and sterilization method required for each item to be sterilized.
- Maintained clean and organized sterile processing areas to prevent contamination of instruments and equipment.
- Responded to equipment malfunctions by troubleshooting and repairing broken and malfunctioning equipment.
- Operated specialized equipment using steam, gas and chemical methods to sterilize equipment.
- Handled and disposed of sharps, biohazards and other hazardous materials in accordance with established protocols.
- Tested sterilization equipment by performing regular checks and maintenance to keep instruments in working order.
- Decontaminated surgical instruments to remove bacteria and other contaminants before sterilization.
- Followed OSHA, FDA and AAMI guidelines related to sterilization in compliance with administrative regulations.
Surgical Technician
6 Months- Anticipated surgeons needs and handed instruments and supplies to surgeons during procedures.
- Created unobstructive operative fields by using retractors, sponges, and suction and irrigating equipment.
- Collected, prepared and disposed of medical specimens.
- Created safe operating environments for invasive and non-invasive procedures.
- "Scrubbed" Ophthalmological cases Phacoemulsification, Pterygium and Vitrectomies mostly.
Sterile Processing Technician
2 Months- Recorded biologicals and test results.
- Corrected instrument sets according to current standards and established count sheets and instrument tracking systems.
- Wrapped trays, instrument packs, and sets.
- Assessed instruments, equipment, and containers to promote cleanliness and proper functioning.
- Verified and maintained proper documents and records for sterilization.
- Picked instruments and supplies for surgeries.
- Inspected sterile package integrity prior to distribution.
- Identified parameters and sterilization method required for each item to be sterilized.
- Maintained clean and organized sterile processing areas to prevent contamination of instruments and equipment.
- Responded to equipment malfunctions by troubleshooting and repairing broken and malfunctioning equipment.
- Operated specialized equipment using steam, gas and chemical methods to sterilize equipment.
Surgical Technician
3 Years 5 Months- Anticipated surgeons needs and handed instruments and supplies to surgeons during procedures.
- Created unobstructive operative fields by using retractors, sponges, and suction and irrigating equipment.
- Collected, prepared and disposed of medical specimens.
- Used sutures, staples, clips and other tools to close wounds.
- Created safe operating environments for invasive and non-invasive procedures.
- Prepared instruments for terminal sterilization and reset surgical suites for next procedure.
- Gathered and set up equipment, tools, and supplies and arrange instruments according to surgeons' preferences or instruction.
- Maintained sterile fields by following aseptic techniques and adhering to infection control protocols.
- "Scrubbed" every service except for 'Hearts' and very little 'Vascular'.
Surgical Technician
1 Year 9 Months- Anticipated surgeons needs and handed instruments and supplies to surgeons during procedures.
- Created unobstructive operative fields by using retractors, sponges, and suction and irrigating equipment.
- Collected, prepared and disposed of medical specimens.
- Created safe operating environments for invasive and non-invasive procedures.
Front Desk Assistant
10 Months- Sorted, opened, and routed mail and deliveries to meet business requirements.
- Greeted visitors and customers upon arrival, offered assistance, and answered questions to build rapport and retention.
- Delivered top-notch administrative support to office staff, promoting excellence in office operations.
- Handled payment and bill processing, change giving and payment collecting for guests.
- Received, screened and routed incoming calls.
- Answered customer telephone calls promptly and appropriately handled needs.
- Took reservations over phone, in person, and via computer for guests and provided confirmation information.
Navy Hospital Corpsman
20 Years- Surgical Technician for 13 years, L&D Technician x1 year, Med-Surg. Technician x2 years, Field Medical Corpsman x3 years, OMFS Technician x7.
- One deployment to Iraq from August 2008-April 2009.
- Awarded 'Good Conduct Medal' x6, Navy Achievement Medal x3, as well as many other awards.
- Proficient in working in SPD.
- Provided emergency medical care and conducted physical exams and interviews to gain medical history and relevant health data.
- Provided leadership, delegation, and exceptional medical service in high-pressure situations.
- Rendered emergency medical treatment and administered immunization programs.
- Supported medical staff in providing patient care in high-demand hospital environment.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families.
- Monitored vital signs and documented temperature, pulse and blood pressure to assess patient condition.
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
Japanese
Limited Working