Julie Apodaca
El Paso
Summary
Highly skilled Surgical Technician with experience in a variety of surgical procedures. Possess keen understanding of sterilization techniques, patient preparation, and effective operation room support. Professional with proven track record in surgical environments, adept at facilitating successful operations and ensuring patient safety. Skilled in sterilization techniques, instrument handling, and maintaining aseptic conditions. Strong focus on teamwork and adapting to dynamic surgical needs. Known for reliability and commitment to excellence in patient care. Now, as a new nursing graduate, I am enthusiastic about joining a rewarding unit focused on supporting growth and career progression.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
Surgical Technologist
University Medical Center, UMC
06.2019 - 10.2022
- Reviewed patient charts for information regarding allergies or medical conditions that could affect the outcome of surgery.
- Kept inventory of supplies and ordered new items as needed.
- Prepared and maintained sterile field for surgical procedures.
- Assisted in the application of wound dressings, casts, and other medical devices.
- Performed pre-operative skin preparation on patients prior to surgery.
- Assisted in positioning patients on operating table and covered them with sterile drapes.
- Provided support services such as stocking supplies in OR rooms or restocking carts between cases.
- Observed aseptic technique and infection control protocols at all times.
- Received specimens from pathology laboratory for examination by surgeon during operation.
- Provided assistance to surgeons during operations by passing instruments and other supplies.
- Verified correct identification of patient prior to any operation or procedure.
- Inspected instruments post-operatively for proper function or damage before returning them to stock room.
- Ensured all necessary equipment was available for each procedure.
- Transported patients to operating room before surgery and monitored vital signs throughout procedure.
- Organized operating room by setting up surgical trays with instruments according to surgeon preference.
- Communicated effectively with surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and scrub techs while performing duties in the OR environment.
- Monitored sterilization process for surgical instruments or equipment used during procedures.
- Reviewed surgical requirements and prepped operating room with appropriate tools, equipment and instruments.
- Sterilized medical equipment and properly handled contaminated materials.
- Organized equipment and instruments in alignment with surgical protocols and surgeon preferences.
- Set up equipment, tools, and supplies for procedures and organize instruments as directed in surgeons' preference cards.
- Laid out all instruments, supplies and tools as directed by surgeons.
- Assessed procedure requirements and procured appropriate equipment and tools.
- Organized and maintained unobstructed operative fields to foster immediate access to retractors and suctioning and irrigation equipment.
- Collaborated with vendors and service providers to coordinate required services and equipment.
- Maintained reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment, including decontamination, cleaning, sterilizing, storing and distributing.
- Maintained surgical areas and oversaw inventory management.
- Used hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures and electrocautery equipment to control bleeding.
- Assisted surgeon by passing instruments and sterile supplies throughout operation.
- Used retractors, sponges and suctioning and irrigating equipment to create unobstructed operating fields.
- Recounted surgical instruments and supplies at end of operation, eliminating chance of items left inside patient.
- Gathered and took inventory of equipment to confirm adequate supplies for surgery.
- Maintained proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Operated or monitored lights, machines or equipment to support proper operation.
- Addressed patient bleeding and applied sterile dressings to close wounds.
- Adhered to OSHA protocols when sterilizing instruments, discarding medical supplies and disposing of waste.
- Observed patients' vital signs to assess physical condition.
- Cleaned and restocked operating room, gathering and placing equipment and supplies.
- Prepared dressings or bandages, applying or assisting with application following surgery.
- Monitored and assessed operating room conditions and patient and surgical team needs.
- Assisted with reductions and limb casting and administered pain injections.
- Assisted surgeon with patient preparation for total joint replacement procedures.
- Collaborated with operating room staff to cultivate efficiency and prepare for scheduled and emergency procedures.
- Held instruments and quickly handed to surgeon during procedures.
- Scrubbed arms and hands and assisted surgical team with scrubbing, masks and surgical clothing.
- Provided technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses or anesthesiologists.
- Prepared patients for surgery by positioning on operating table and covering with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
- Handed instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants.
- Retrieved implants from storage area prior to start of procedure.
- Assisted surgeons by anticipating needs during operations, enhancing procedure efficiency.
- Prepared and maintained surgical instruments for various procedures, ensuring sterile environments.
Cosmetology Operator
JulCuts
06.2013 - 05.2019
- Performed routine maintenance on equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Maintained records relating to product output numbers, scrap rate analysis, downtime reports.
- Maintained cleanliness of work area and equipment in accordance with safety regulations.
- Assisted colleagues in setting up stations before starting a shift or closing down after it ends.
- Kept up with current trends in the industry by attending classes or seminars.
- Trained new staff members in proper procedures for cutting, styling and coloring hair.
- Resolved any customer complaints quickly in an efficient manner while maintaining professionalism.
- Greeted customers, answered phones and booked appointments.
- Cleaned work area thoroughly after each shift ensuring all tools were properly stored away.
- Advised clients on how to maintain their hairstyles at home between visits.
- Suggested retail products to clients that would help them maintain their style.
- Developed relationships with regular clients by providing excellent customer service.
- Shampooed, conditioned and blow-dried client's hair.
- Maintained accurate records of client's details including name, contact number, payment information.
- Ensured client satisfaction with the quality of service provided.
- Maintained cleanliness of salon equipment, tools and work areas.
- Applied a variety of chemical treatments such as perming, relaxing or straightening services.
- Ordered supplies from vendors when needed to ensure adequate stock is available at all times.
- Trained or supervised other hairstylists, hairdressers and assistants.
- Cut, trimmed and shaped hair or hairpieces using clippers and scissors.
- Mentored new staff to enhance personal growth and increase productivity.
- Cultivated strong value-added relationships with customers by delivering accurate service and product knowledge to drive earnings.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Texas Tech Health Sciences At El Paso
El Paso, TX05-2025
Associate of Applied Science - Surgical Technology
El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX05-2019
Cosmetology - Cosmetology
Milan Institute of Cosmetology
El Paso, TX05-2014
Skills
- Aseptic technique
- Patient monitoring
- Wound care
- Surgical case preparation
- Equipment sterilization
- Inventory management
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Surgical gowning
- Collecting medical specimens
- Equipment management
- Wound closure techniques
- Pre- and post-surgical counts
- OR preparation
- Surgical procedures
- Disposing of biohazardous waste
- Workplace safety
- Aseptic techniques
- Safely disposing of needles
- Safe sharps disposal
- OB/GYN procedures
- Safety protocols expertise
- Scrub assistance
- Preparing for surgeries
- Intra-operative assistance
- Passing surgical tools
- Instrument preparation
- Physical stamina
- Infection control protocols
- Preoperative checklists
- Pre-surgical preparation
- Patient confidentiality
- Biohazardous waste disposal
- Setting up and operating equipment
- Equipment set up and operation
- Specimen collection
- Critical thinking
- Operating room procedures
- Patient positioning expertise
- Surgical instrumentation
- Organizational growth
- Surgical site preparation
- Medication administration
- Electronic medical records management
- Postoperative care
- Sterile technique proficiency
- Staff education
- Wound dressing
- Surgical assistance
- Nursing support
- Aseptic and sterilization techniques
- Vital sign monitoring
- HIPAA proficiency
- Patient safety
- Sterile field management
- Anatomy
- Surgical counts
- Manage sterile field
- Heartsaver first aid CPR AED (first aid CPR AED)
- Basic life support
- Equipment set up
- Leadership qualities
- Patient preparation
- Safety protocols
- Surgical equipment handling
- Administering medications
- Dressing wounds
- Biological specimen collection
- Sterile processing support
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Sterile field preparation
- Attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable
- Patient positioning
- Team building
- Multitasking Abilities
- Infection control
- Surgical technologist (CST)
- Wound dressing techniques
- Restocking inventory
- Arthroscopic joint surgery
- Specimen preparation
- Multitasking
- Equipment troubleshooting
- Time management
- Excellent communication
- Safety procedures
- Relationship building
- Work prioritization
- Heartsaver CPR AED (CPR AED)
- Patient needs assessment
- Proper specimen disposal
- Chronic disease management
- Anatomy and physiology
- Medical terminology proficiency
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Ordering supplies
Affiliations
- Studying new medical procedures
- Outdoors
Certification
- National Institute of Health (NIH) certified
- Older Adult and Geriatric Care for Texas Nurses certified
- Medical Laser Safety Officer
- Robotic surgery certified/trained
- BLS- First AID
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Surgical Technologist
University Medical Center, UMC
06.2019 - 10.2022
Cosmetology Operator
JulCuts
06.2013 - 05.2019
Associate of Applied Science - Surgical Technology
El Paso Community College
Cosmetology - Cosmetology
Milan Institute of Cosmetology
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Texas Tech Health Sciences At El Paso