2-17. NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER IN CHARGE
a. Discussion. The noncommissioned officer in charge, an enlisted OR
specialist, supervises the nonprofessional personnel and maintains the physical
environment of the OR. He reports directly to the OR supervisor (see figure 2-1).
b. Duties. Among his varied duties are those related to supervising the work
and helping to evaluate the performance of nonprofessional personnel and conferring
with the OR supervisor and with instructors (at the hospitals having training
programs) when nursing service personnel time schedules (see figure 2-2) and
OR schedules (see figure 2-3) are prepared. He assists with the orientation
of enlisted personnel.
(1) In supervising the work, the NCOIC performs duties concerned with the
smooth functioning of the surgical suite--example, he ensures that the equipment
needed for a case is at hand and that preparation for operations is begun early
enough so that the operations will not be delayed.
(2) The maintenance of the physical environment necessitates such duties
as: ordering supplies and equipment, seeing that the surgical suite and furnishings are
cleaned properly, and arranging for a periodic inspection and repair of OR equipment.
2-18. OPERATING ROOM SPECIALIST
a. Discussion. The OR specialist is directly responsible to the NCOIC
(see figure 2-1) and to the professional personnel with whom he works. The
specialist may be assigned duties directly related to the performance of an operation,
as the scrub or as the circulator. He may be assigned to the workroom, the instrument
room, the anesthesia section, or to any other area within the surgical suite. Specific
tasks, which may be revised in accordance with local policy, involved in the
performance of these duties are set forth in b and c below.
b. Scrub Duties. Scrub is the term used to designate the member of the
surgical team who assists the surgeon by providing sterile instruments, sutures, and
supplies within the sterile field. When assigned as the "scrub," the specialist dons
conductive shoes, greens (pants and shirt), cap, and mask. He then scrubs his hands
and arms in accordance with local policy; he dons sterile gown and gloves (refer to
figures 1-30 and 1-31) and helps other members of the "sterile" team to do so. The
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