Rhonda Gillespie
Institute of Plastic Surgery
Colorado Springs,CO
38
years of professional experience
Experienced surgical assistant with strong skills in surgical support, critical thinking, and sterile environment maintenance. Proven ability to enhance patient outcomes and streamline workflows through effective teamwork and problem-solving.
Work History
Surgical Assistant
3 Years 2 Months- Assisted surgeons during procedures, ensuring instruments were prepared and sterile.
- Maintained surgical supplies inventory, tracking usage and ordering replacements as needed.
- Educated patients on pre-operative and post-operative care, enhancing patient understanding and compliance.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to streamline surgical workflows and improve patient outcomes.
- Provided compassionate care to patients throughout their surgical experience, easing anxiety and ensuring comfort.
Surgical Technologist
7 Years 5 Months- Assisted in preparing and sterilizing surgical instruments for various procedures.
- Maintained a sterile environment by adhering to infection control protocols.
- Collaborated with surgical team to ensure efficient workflow during operations.
- Monitored patient vital signs and responded promptly to changes during surgery.
- Mentored new surgical technologists, sharing expertise and fostering their growth within the profession.
- Improved surgical precision, assisting surgeons with application of sutures and dressings post-operation.
Surgical Technologist/ Purchaser
2 Years 2 Months- Assisted surgeons and medical staff during operations, anticipating needs and providing efficient support.
- Maintained accurate surgical inventory, tracking supplies and equipment to optimize resource availability.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care and streamline surgical processes.
- Streamlined procurement processes to enhance efficiency and reduce lead times.
- Developed strong supplier relationships to ensure reliable sourcing of materials.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to forecast demand and optimize inventory levels.
- Implemented cost-saving strategies, contributing to improved budget management and resource allocation.
- Checked items received against items ordered by verifying receipts.
- Maintained complete documentation and records of all purchasing activities.
- Researched suppliers based on availability, quality, selection, and price.
- Created purchase orders to monitor stock levels, verify purchase requisitions, and expedite customer orders.
Surgical Technologist
12 Years 6 Months- Trained new staff on operating room protocols and equipment usage.
- Led quality assurance initiatives to enhance operational efficiency in the surgical unit.
- Streamlined instrument inventory management, reducing turnaround time for surgeries.
- Developed training materials for ongoing staff education and procedural updates.
- Maintained high infection control standards.
- Prepared operating rooms with required instruments, ensuring efficient setup for various surgical cases.
- Setup operating and surgery rooms by preparing equipment and supplies for upcoming procedures.
- Ensured proper care of surgical instruments through meticulous cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance processes.
- Enhanced patient safety by maintaining a sterile surgical environment and adhering to strict protocols.
- Maintained specialty equipment, implant, and instrumentation inventories.
- Decontaminated, cleaned, assembled, packaged, sterilized, stored, and distributed reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment.
- Improved surgical precision, assisting surgeons with application of sutures and dressings post-operation.
Surgical Technologist
2 Years 4 Months- Minimized infection risks by strictly adhering to aseptic techniques when handling surgical supplies and equipment.
- Assisted surgeons in complex procedures for optimal patient outcomes and reduced recovery time.
- Evaluated procedure needs and set up equipment, tools, supplies, and instruments.
- Increased efficiency during surgeries by anticipating surgeon''s needs and providing timely assistance.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of surgical technology and techniques, ensuring best practices were applied in all procedures.
- Improved patient outcomes with precise handling and passing of surgical instruments during procedures.
- Completed continuing education units, staying up to date on surgical technology and meeting organizational requirements.
Surgical Assistant
3 Years 3 Months- Monitored patient vitals during surgeries, providing critical support to lead surgeons in real-time decision-making.
- Arranged supplies and instrumentation to meet needs of individual surgeons and enhance team efficiency.
- Kept views unobstructed by retracting, sponging, and suctioning surgical sites.
- Assisted in complex surgical procedures, demonstrating adaptability and knowledge across multiple disciplines.
- Contributed to successful surgeries, anticipating surgeon needs and promptly delivering instruments.
- Streamlined communication between surgeons and nurses to promote teamwork and efficient operations.
- Assisted surgeons with critical decision-making processes during challenging cases.
- Supported surgical teams in emergency situations, quickly adapting to unexpected complications and maintaining composure.
Surgical Technologist
7 Years 5 Months- Handled high-pressure situations calmly and efficiently, contributing to successful completion of critical surgeries.
- Supported smooth transitions between surgeries by promptly preparing the operating room for subsequent cases.
- Demonstrated exceptional adaptability when faced with unexpected challenges or changes during surgery, responding quickly without compromising patient safety or procedural success.
- Maintained daily workflow, coordinating with operating room staff to prepare for scheduled and emergency cases.
- Played a key role in reducing OR turnaround time by implementing process improvements for equipment preparation and room cleanup procedures.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices within the field of surgical technology.
- Supported surgeons during cosmetic surgeries, gynecological and orthopedic procedures and general appointments.
- Facilitated smooth operation of surgical procedures, preparing operating rooms with necessary equipment and supplies.
- Assisted in complex surgical procedures, providing critical support for successful patient outcomes.
- Streamlined surgical processes, organizing instruments and supplies for easy accessibility during procedures.
- Passed instruments and supplies to surgical team members to provide surgeons with necessary tools to complete procedures.
- Gathered and set up equipment, tools, and supplies and arrange instruments according to surgeons' preferences or instruction.
- Maintained a sterile environment by adhering to infection control protocols.
Education
Associate of Science - Surgical Technologist
Skills
Teamwork and cooperation
Setting up and operating equipment
Surgical equipment handling
Suturing
Critical thinking
Surgical support
Certified in CPR/AED
Problem-solving abilities
Surgical techniques
Self motivation
Support surgeons
Timeline
Surgical Assistant
Institute of Plastic Surgery
04.2023 - CurrentRead More
Surgical Technologist
Audubon Surgery Center
11.2015 - 04.2023Read More
Surgical Technologist/ Purchaser
Premier Surgery Center
09.2013 - 11.2015Read More
Surgical Technologist
HealthSouth Surgical Center/ Surgical Care Afilliates/ Colorado Springs Health Partners
03.2001 - 09.2013Read More
Surgical Technologist
Centrum Surgery Center
11.1998 - 03.2001Read More
Surgical Assistant
St. Vincent's Hospital
08.1995 - 11.1998Read More
Surgical Technologist
St. Lukes Hospital
03.1988 - 08.1995Read More
Academy of Health Sciences
Associate of Science from Surgical Technologist
Read More