Melissa Ambrosio
Vacaville,CA
Summary
Senior Surgical Technologist with expertise in cardiothoracic, vascular, orthopedic, and trauma surgery. Maintain sterile field standards, ensure accurate instrument setup, and complete verified instrument counts. Support safe, ready operating rooms through detail-focused workflows and clear team communication.
Overview
1
1
Certification
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Surgical Technologist
Adventist Health St Helena Hospital
Saint Helena, California
10.2024 - Current
- Supported safe cardiovascular procedures by preparing operating rooms with sterile instruments and surgical supplies.
- Contributed to smooth open-heart and vascular operations by assisting surgeons throughout procedures.
- Maintained case flow by efficiently passing instruments and sutures during complex cardiac surgeries.
- Protected sterile field during cardiovascular surgery cases to support patient safety.
- Enhanced surgical team communication through active participation in complex cardiovascular procedures.
- Streamlined intraoperative efficiency by passing instruments, holding retractors, cutting sutures, suctioning fluids, and applying dressings.
- Controlled bleeding with hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, and electrocautery equipment during procedures.
- Supported accurate reconciliation by counting instruments, sponges, and sharps with circulating nurse.
- Delivered accurate surgical count documentation for sponges, needles, sharps, and instruments used in each procedure.
- Readied patients for surgery by positioning on the operating table and applying sterile drapes.
- Maintained supply readiness through equipment checks and inventory review before surgery.
- Aligned patient care support with healthcare professionals through collaboration on care plans.
- Improved readiness for scheduled and emergency procedures through close coordination with operating room staff.
SR Representative - Contract and Billing
Cardinal Health
Ohio City, Ohio
07.2022 - 10.2024
- Resolved billing and shipping problems across Cardinal Health accounts.
- Handled customer service requests and order status questions for Cardinal Health accounts.
- Reviewed claims, returns, and credit requests for accuracy.
- Tracked service issues and escalated unresolved cases to ensure timely resolution and customer satisfaction.
- Facilitated communication among sales, logistics, and pharmacy teams to improve collaboration and streamline processes., logistics, and pharmacy teams communicate effectively.
- Supported policy compliance and documentation for Cardinal Health workflows.
- Analyzed customer data to spot trends and support improvement efforts.
- Resolved escalated customer complaints quickly.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with customers to ensure satisfaction. to support sales, service, and business operations goals.
- Confirmed customers received clear problem resolution through research and accurate information.
Sr Surgical Technologist
Medical Staffing Solutions / Surgical Staffing Net
San Francisco, California
11.2010 - 03.2013
- Assisted surgeons and nurses with instrument handling during complex procedures.
- Performed scrub duties, including instrument setup and passing tools to the surgeon during procedures.
- Maintained aseptic surgical field conditions during procedures for medical staffing solutions assignments.
- Monitored sterilization standards and ensured compliance with facility protocols to maintain safe surgical environments.
- Adhered to asepsis principles during surgical procedures to prevent infections. throughout duties within or suite.
- Used hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, and electrocautery equipment to control bleeding.
- Coordinated services and equipment with vendors to streamline surgical supply management.
- Provided technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
- Collaborated with operating room staff to support efficiency and prepare for scheduled and emergency procedures.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance surgical processes and patient outcomes.
- Prepared sterile instruments and supply sets for contracted surgical cases across staffing assignments.
Surgical Technologist
Highland Hospital
Oakland, California
10.2008 - 11.2010
- Ensured sterile technique throughout surgical workflows to uphold patient safety.
- Maintained accurate records of surgical instrument counts before and after each procedure.
- Collected, counted, and passed instruments to support surgical team safety.
- Used retractors, sponges, suctioning equipment, and irrigating equipment to create unobstructed operating fields.
- Operated suction devices, cautery devices, and power drills based on surgeon instructions.
- Mentored surgical staff on instrument setup, sterile practices, and room readiness.
- Assisted with patient positioning and transfer in surgical suites.
- Assisted surgeon with patient preparation for total joint replacement procedures.
- Provided technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, and anesthesiologists.
- Executed proper safety practices when handling sharps and hazardous materials to minimize risk.
- Collaborated with operating room staff to enhance preparedness for scheduled and emergency procedures.
- Communicated effectively with team members regarding patient needs during operation times.
- Prepared operating rooms for surgical procedures and sterile field setup.
- Followed established guidelines for protective clothing use while performing tasks within the operating room setting.
Orthopedic Surgical Technician
Sutter Solano Hospital Medical Center
Vallejo, California
11.2005 - 10.2008
- Prepared orthopedic instrument trays for surgical procedures in acute care operating rooms.
- Prepared and maintained operating rooms for orthopedic surgeries, including sterilization of equipment and instruments.
- Assisted surgeons during orthopedic cases by efficiently managing instruments, implants, and supplies to enhance procedural flow.
- Passed surgical instruments to physicians during procedures, ensuring accurate timing to support optimal surgical outcomes.
- Set up operating room equipment for trauma, fracture, and joint repair surgery.
- Verified case carts, implants, and sterile supplies before hospital surgical cases.
- Completed surgical counts to confirm sponges, needles, and instruments were accounted for before and after surgery.
- Used proper sterile technique throughout each procedure while maintaining aseptic conditions at all times.
- Maintained a safe patient environment by following safety protocols set by the organization.
- Conducted inventory control for supplies used during orthopedic operations.
- Communicated effectively with healthcare team members regarding patient needs before, during, and after surgery.
- Provided surgical support to help the surgeon complete safe operations and support positive patient outcomes.
Education
Certificate of Technical Studies - Surgical Technician
High-Tech Institute College
Sacramento, CA11-2005
High School Diploma -
Will C. Wood Highschool
Vacaville, CA06-2001
Skills
- Sterile field maintenance
- Surgical instrument setup
- Instrument counting
- Cardiac surgery support
- Vascular surgery support
- Trauma surgery assistance
- Electrocautery operation
- Operating room readiness
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Team collaboration
- Surgical team collaboration
Certification
- AHA ACLS Certified, July 2026 - July 2028 St Helena Hospital
- AHA BLS Certified, December 2024 - December 2026
- Nursing Preceptor Certified, Certified 2025 St Helena Hospital
Timeline
Senior Surgical Technologist
Adventist Health St Helena Hospital
10.2024 - Current
SR Representative - Contract and Billing
Cardinal Health
07.2022 - 10.2024
Sr Surgical Technologist
Medical Staffing Solutions / Surgical Staffing Net
11.2010 - 03.2013
Surgical Technologist
Highland Hospital
10.2008 - 11.2010
Orthopedic Surgical Technician
Sutter Solano Hospital Medical Center
11.2005 - 10.2008
Certificate of Technical Studies - Surgical Technician
High-Tech Institute College
High School Diploma -
Will C. Wood Highschool