Natalie Kirkwood
Surgical Tech
Edmond,Oklahoma
Summary
My goal is exploring opportunities to utilize my experience in the surgical department as a sterile processing instrument technologist as a team member in a hospital, to ensure safe and efficient delivery of quality instrument and supplies to ensure patient care and safety. Well-versed in preparing carts and picking instruments and supplies for surgeries. Conducts tests and documenting results, ordering and replenishing supplies and updating permanent records. Dedicated to working with speed and efficiency to support facility operations.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Caregiver
Maryhelen Dawson
Covina, CA
05.2016 - 02.2020
- Worked closely with clinical staff to support therapeutic and behavioral plans.
- Drove clients to shop for groceries, attend doctor appointments and run errands.
- Maintained cleanliness of clients' environment by cleaning surfaces and washing clothes or dishes.
- Helped clients get in and out of beds and wheelchairs.
- Contacted medical providers on behalf of clients to follow up on appointments.
- Created safe and positive living situations for clients by communicating with family and other staff about concerns or challenges.
- Monitored vital signs and medication use, documenting variances, and concerning responses.
- Recorded client status progress and challenges in logbooks and reports.
- Observed changes in behavior or physical condition that may require medical attention and reported them promptly to supervisor.
- Helped patients during ROM exercises to maintain musculoskeletal functions and increase strength.
- Encouraged residents to participate in activities of daily living to enhance personal dignity.
- Maintained detailed records of services performed on clients.
- Followed care plan and directions to administer medications.
- Collected and recorded patients' blood pressure, pulse, and respirations (TPRs) to evaluate and note basic health status.
- Assured proper nutrition by preparing meals, grocery shopping and monitoring food consumption levels.
- Transported clients to doctor appointments and other errands using wheelchair accessible vehicles.
- Planned and prepared healthy meals and snacks for clients and provided assistance with eating when necessary.
- Partnered with registered nurses and physiotherapists to provide care to patients.
- Improved patient outlook and daily living through compassionate care.
- Encouraged independence while promoting self-care skills such as bathing, grooming and toileting needs.
- Assisted clients with maintaining good personal hygiene.
- Obtained sources of entertainment for clients to provide full and enjoyable daily activities.
- Monitored health and well-being of clients and reported significant health changes.
- Organized oral medications for clients following dosage and schedule requirements.
- Supported bathing, dressing and personal care needs.
- Respected the rights of each individual client while maintaining confidentiality of all personal information.
Surgical Technologist Student
Kaiser Permanente
Baldwin Park, CA
01.2015 - 07.2015
- Followed strict safety guidelines for handling hazardous materials such as sharps containers.
- Provided assistance to surgeons during complex surgical procedures.
- Cleansed instruments following established sterilization protocols.
- Responded quickly to requests from surgeons for additional materials or tools during operations.
- Handed instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants.
- Cleaned and restocked operating room, gathering and placing equipment and supplies.
- Gathered all necessary supplies and equipment needed for operation.
- Assisted surgeon with patient preparation for total joint replacement procedures.
- Held instruments and quickly handed to surgeon during procedures.
- Ensured that all specimens were labeled correctly and safely transported to the laboratory for analysis.
- Scrubbed arms and hands and assisted surgical team with scrubbing, masks and surgical clothing.
- Maintained proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Prepared dressings or bandages, applying or assisting with application following surgery.
- Adhered to OSHA protocols when sterilizing instruments, discarding medical supplies and disposing of waste.
- Assisted with post-operative care activities such as wound dressing changes.
- Prepared sutures, dressings, and other items required for a wide range of surgeries.
- Assisted in prepping the operating room for surgery by setting up and organizing equipment, instruments, and supplies.
- Inspected equipment daily according to departmental policies and procedures.
- Addressed patient bleeding and applied sterile dressings to close wounds.
- Observed proper body mechanics when moving patients from beds to strhers or wheelchairs.
- Set up OR tables with appropriate instrumentation based on individual surgeon preferences.
- Maintained sterile field during surgical procedures by passing instruments to surgeon.
- Provided technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses or anesthesiologists.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Modified existing software systems to enhance performance and add new features.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Surgical Technologist Student
Olympia Medical Plaza
Los Angeles, CA
07.2010 - 01.2011
- Ensured that all equipment was properly sterilized before use.
- Used hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures and electrocautery equipment to control bleeding.
- Shaved and draped patients to prepare for surgery, treatment or examination.
- Set up equipment, tools and supplies for procedures and organize instruments as directed in surgeons' preference cards.
- Cleaned and restocked OR rooms between cases and at end of day.
- Used retractors, sponges and suctioning and irrigating equipment to create unobstructed operating fields.
- Assisted in transporting patients from one location to another within the hospital setting.
- Provided the necessary sterile supplies for each procedure.
- Safeguarded patient privacy with strict adherence to HIPAA protocols.
- Conducted quality control checks on all sterilization equipment used in the OR.
- Assisted nurses with wound care for pressure ulcers, bed sores and surgical site wounds.
- Ensured proper handling of specimens according to laboratory standards.
- Maintained a clean, organized and sterile environment in the operating room.
- Prepared surgical trays with appropriate instrumentation and supplies needed for individual surgeries.
- Organized materials needed for specific procedures according to established protocols.
- Followed safety protocols to ensure patient safety.
- Instructed new staff members on proper techniques related to scrubbing, gowning, gloving.
- Assisted with lifting patients to move on or off beds, examination tables and surgical tables.
- Assisted surgeons during operations by passing instruments and other supplies.
- Kept medical supply room and patient rooms stocked with necessary supplies, equipment and instruments.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Education
Associate of Science - Surgical Technology
American Career College
Ontario, CA03-2015
Surgical Technology
Glendale Career College
Glendale, CA02-2011
High School Diploma -
Ranger High
Azusa, CA06-1998
Skills
- Management
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Leadership
- Bilingual English/Spanish
- Customer Relations
- Computer Skills/ word/ Excel/ Microsoft 365
- Behavioral Management
- HIPAA Compliance
- First Aid and Safety
- PPE Usage
- Multitasking and Organization
- Respectful and Compassionate
- Flexible schedule and availability
Certification
- CPR/AED BLS Certified, Need to update
- Fire Safety, Need to update
- HIPAA Certified, 03/11/2015
- Association of Surgical Technologist Member# 153908
- Certified Surgical Technologist- Pending
Professional Development
- Ranger High School, Azusa, CA, Diploma, 06/17/1998
- Glendale Career College, Glendale, CA, Completed, 02/2011
- American Career College, Ontario, CA, Associate of Occupational/Science Degree in Surgical Technology, 03/11/2015
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
References
References available upon request.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Caregiver
Maryhelen Dawson
05.2016 - 02.2020
Surgical Technologist Student
Kaiser Permanente
01.2015 - 07.2015
Surgical Technologist Student
Olympia Medical Plaza
07.2010 - 01.2011
Associate of Science - Surgical Technology
American Career College
Surgical Technology
Glendale Career College
High School Diploma -
Ranger High