Maria Mataperez
San Diego,CA
Summary
Organized, driven surgical technician offering a 12-year background of military experience, and six-years in the private sector in ambulatory and hospital settings. Well versed in a wide range of surgical procedures and the implementation of AORN guideline, tools and technologies. Committed to maintaining highest standards of health and safety. Proven leadership and adept in mentoring team members to streamline workflow and achieve patient outcome goals.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Surgical Technologist
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
05.2022 - Current
- Reviewed surgeon preference card and checked surgical cart contents prior to the surgical huddle, in order to inform the RN circulator of discrepancies with surgical instrumentation, supplies, equipment, and implants.
- Setup operating and surgery rooms by preparing instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures, and delivered assistance including but not limited to the following: Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Spine, General, Gynecological, Urology, Plastics, Vascular surgery, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Total joint replacements, and robotic procedures.
- Anticipated the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
- Utilized universal precautions and followed all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
- Maintained daily workflow, coordinating with operating room staff to prepare for scheduled and emergency cases.
- Verified specimen/s with the surgeon and circulator and ensured that each label matched the nomenclature dictated by the surgeon.
- Prepared sterile dressings, cleans, and arranged instruments for terminal sterilization according to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME).
- Recognized potential hazardous situations and takes corrective action.
- Managed operating room setup by cleaning and sterilizing instruments and surfaces, maintaining supply inventories, and organizing surgical tools.
- Provided guidance and support to medical students and new operating staff.
Surgical Technologist
Medely
05.2021 - 04.2022
- Highly sought-after skilled traveling surgical technician. Able to rapidly adapt and manage operating room procedures, infection control, safety standards, and overall hospital/surgical facility policies and protocols while working in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
- Consistently maintains a monthly track record of 100% punctuality and commitment rate with assignments and per diem jobs.
- First assisted surgeons specializing in sports medicine, total joint replacement, spine, orthopedic trauma treatment, pain management, plastic, and cosmetic surgery procedures.
- Supported surgeons on gynecological, general, otolaryngology, and ophthalmology surgical procedures.
- Gathered and sets up equipment, tools, and supplies for upcoming procedures. Researched and collaborated with OR staff in regard to surgeon preference for an efficient and successful outcome.
- Worked well both independently and as part of a team; enjoys team leadership and mentoring opportunities.
- Decontaminated, cleaned, assembled, packaged, sterilized, stored, and distributed reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment.
- Maintained high infection control standards.
Surgical Technician
Otay Lakes Surgery Center
09.2020 - 04.2021
- Provided scrubbing surgical assistance and support to surgeons during general, gynecology, genitourinary, orthopedic, otolaryngology, pain management and plastic surgery procedures.
- Managed operating room setup by cleaning and sterilizing instruments and surfaces, maintaining supply inventories and organizing surgical tools.
- Introduced new staff members to training protocols regarding operating room procedures, infection control, safety standards and overall facility policies.
- Developed training initiatives and rewrote preference cards in a methodical and efficient manner, resulting in the most untrained perioperative nurse and surgical tech to perform, setup, and successfully finish a basic Orthopedic, ENT, General, Plastic, and Pain Clinic cases without supervision.
- Decontaminated, cleaned, assembled, packaged, sterilized, stored and distributed reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment.
- Worked closely with new staff members to provide training on operating room procedures, infection control, safety standards and overall facility policies.
Surgical Technician
Arthroscopic & Laser Surgery Center
12.2018 - 09.2020
- Reviewed daily assignments and ascertain types of surgeon-specific preferences and types of anesthesia.
- Planned care based on the contemplated procedure, the standard of practice, admission, assessment, and surgeon preferences.
- Complied with required standards for patient positioning, skin preparation, counting-side site, verification, and other departmental policies and procedures.
- Communicated pertinent information during the procedure and during personnel changes, including the status of the surgical procedure.
- Ensured that all pertinent equipment and instruments are available and sterilized prior to bringing the patient to the OR.
- Assisted team members to place and position patients on and off the operative table.
- Performed various surgical procedures in Plastics, Podiatry, Orthopedics, Hand, and Foot & Ankle.
- Prepared instruments for terminal sterilization and reset surgical suites for the next procedure.
- Managed own professional development by rotating through other specialties to maintain proficiency.
- Provided training to new personnel regarding duties pertaining to the Operative suite, Sterile processing department, and policies of the medical facility.
- Prepared the operative suite by setting up instrumentation and equipment prior to next-day surgical procedures with minimal case delays to improve room readiness.
Surgical Technologist
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton
01.2015 - 09.2017
- Supported surgeons during general, gynecological, orthopedic, otolaryngology, neurological and plastic surgery procedures.
- Provided comprehensive support to surgeons specializing in sports medicine, total joint replacement, spine and orthopedic trauma treatment.
- Trained staff on operating room policies and procedures, infection control standards and safety protocols.
- Assisted vendors and service providers on the timely procurement of needed services and equipment.
- Worked closely with new staff members to provide training on operating room procedures, infection control, safety standards and overall facility policies.
- Coordinated the acquisition of surgical services and specialized equipment.
- Conducted environmental maintenance and facilitated inventory management.
- Worked with Clinical Coordinator to maintain daily workflow, coordinating with operating room staff to prepare for scheduled and emergency cases.
- Developed training initiatives for new equipment and procedures to maintain the highest patient care standards.
- Participated with and monitors process of building accurate and timely assembling of case carts for emergent/urgent and elective cases
- Handled numerous sanitization tasks for surgical sites by cleaning and sterilizing, maintaining supply inventories and organizing items effectively.
- Operated automated processing equipment such as instrument washers, sterilizers, biological incubators, heat sealers and other commonly used automated, non-automated and electronic equipment in sterile processing
- Sterilized instruments and equipment for specific procedures and arranged for surgeons.
Surgical Technologist
Naval Medical Center Of San Diego
03.2009 - 12.2014
- As operative unit supervisor for a 18 room operative suite, managed manpower and personnel distribution to optimize capabilities while providing healthcare to 4,856 beneficiaries.
- Assisted with instruction, supervision, and evaluation of students, military personnel, nurses and other staff members assigned duties relating to surgery.
- Introduced new staff members to training protocols regarding operating room procedures, infection control, safety standards and overall facility and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) policies.
- Provided comprehensive support to surgeons specializing in sports medicine, total joint replacement, spine and orthopedic trauma treatment. Also aided in general, gynecological, orthopedic, otolaryngology, neurological and plastic surgery procedures.
- Observed and provided S1 and S2 assistance in approximately 500 plus cases.
- Hand picked to deploy to Afghanistan and serve in an Forward Surgical Team (FST) with a team of 20 military health care providers to provide surgical intervention to render nontransportable patients sufficiently stable to allow for medical evacuation to a combat support hospital.
- Worked as a member of the sterile processing team as well as performing daily checks and monitoring of sterilization equipment.
- Decontaminated, cleaned, assembled, packaged, sterilized, stored and distributed reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment.
- Reports any malfunctioning of equipment for repair and any safety hazards. Ensures proper handling of any hazardous materials.
- Experience working with Arthrex, Synthes, Smith & Nephew, Stryker and Zimmer systems and equipment.
- Possess ability to accurately and calmly perform tasks under pressure and works as an integral component of the surgical team.
- Accepts responsibility for problem solving and able to implement solution at the point of service.
Hospital Corpsman
Naval Medical Center Of San Diego
05.2006 - 08.2008
- Provided emergency medical care, including conducting physical exams and interviews to gain medical history and relevant health data.
- Interviewed patients to obtain medical information and measure their vitals signs, weight, and height using SOAP note format and ALTHA computer system.
- Protected and review records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Advised and educated patients regarding diet, hygiene and effective disease prevention methods. Monitored patients' condition and progress and re-evaluated treatments as necessary.
- Executed comprehensive eight week preceptor training program to orientate new trainees by applying expertise in intensive care to critically ill patients and evaluating personnel-readiness.
- Maintained operational organization by ensuring equipment functionality, inventory levels and employee medical training.
- Administered medical care of 200 patients monthly in a 23 ward bed suite in an acute care environment for a range of conditions and basic health concerns including immunization, medications and blood draws
- Performed general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or supplies when inventory is low.
Education
High School Diploma - undefined
Phillip And Sala Burton Academic High School
San Francisco, CA2003
Hospital Corpsman "A" School - Hospital Corpsman Basic
Hospital Corps School
Great Lakes, IL05.2006
Surgical Technologist
Naval School Of Health Science
San Diego, CA2009
undefined
San Diego City College
San Diego, CASan Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CASkills
- Leadership
- Time Management
- Administrative
- Customer Service
- Troubleshooting
- High level of autonomy
- Safety Oriented
- CPR Certified
Accomplishments
- Built strong relationships with surgeons and learned their set up preferences, routinely updating their physician reference to streamline surgeries.
- Ensured and enforced medical office compliance with HIPAA, OSHA regulations for maximum quality and control.
Timeline
Surgical Technologist
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
05.2022 - Current
Surgical Technologist
Medely
05.2021 - 04.2022
Surgical Technician
Otay Lakes Surgery Center
09.2020 - 04.2021
Surgical Technician
Arthroscopic & Laser Surgery Center
12.2018 - 09.2020
Surgical Technologist
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton
01.2015 - 09.2017
Surgical Technologist
Naval Medical Center Of San Diego
03.2009 - 12.2014
Hospital Corpsman
Naval Medical Center Of San Diego
05.2006 - 08.2008
High School Diploma - undefined
Phillip And Sala Burton Academic High School
Hospital Corpsman "A" School - Hospital Corpsman Basic
Hospital Corps School
Surgical Technologist
Naval School Of Health Science
undefined
San Diego City College
San Diego Mesa College
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