Carissa Grimsley
Meridian
Summary
To obtain an awarding position as a surgical technologist within an innovative and professional organization where I can contribute my knowledge and skills for the benefit of the patient and Operating Room team.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
4018
4018
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Spine Specialist
Stryker/VB Spine
Boise
10.2024 - Current
- Collaborated with Neuro and orthopedic surgeons on spinal procedures and treatment plans.
- Assisted in the development of spinal implant technologies and solutions.
- Educated healthcare professionals on product features and surgical techniques.
- Create product orders and provide product informational classes.
- Conducted market research to identify trends in spine care innovations.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to streamline product launches in spine surgery.
Surgical Technologist
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center
Boise
07.2018 - 10.2024
- Prepared surgical instruments for various procedures in a fast-paced environment.
- Assisted surgeons by providing necessary tools during operations efficiently.
- Maintained sterile conditions throughout the surgical process to ensure patient safety.
- Primarily assigned to Neuro case’s, however being in a level II trauma center, I had to be competent in doing all surgical cases (whatever my assignment was for that day).
- Conducted the first and only Thoracic Cordectomy case within the US.
- Assisted on a multi brain bypass and double aneurysm clipping.
- Completed Twelve hour Microtia case’s.
Surgical Technologist
Kadlec Regional Medical Center
Richland
07.2015 - 07.2018
- I worked swing shifts and weekend shift/On Call shifts, -roughly seven times a month for three years and have done trauma cases such as an array of motor vehicle accidents, gun-shot wounds, and intentional/or accidental stabbings, lacerations.
- I was assigned predominantly Vascular case’s in which I had to assist a new vascular surgeon from Malaysia that did not have an assistant for over a year.
- Completed successfully complex case’s; AAA, AV fistula's, Carotid Endarterectomies, Femoral Popliteal bypass (Fem-Pop, Fem-Fem).
Surgical Technologist
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
Boise
01.2014 - 07.2015
- I primarily conducted cases such as; anterior cervical discectomy & fusion, hardware removals and often refusing or expanding levels. All anterior and or posterior cervical, thoracic, and lumbar cases. In addition to performing extensive cerebral vascular cases, such as; Craniotomies, Cranioplasties for Tumor Resection, Aneurysms, Subdural's, Epidural’s, and Chiari Malformation.
- Review and revamp preference cards, set up surgical case according to surgeon and type of procedure...
- Accurately anticipate needs of the surgeon and surgical team.
- Verify countable items before and after procedure with the nurse.
- Break down sterile field and dispose of all necessary items.
- Take soiled cart to decontamination and help clean OR.
- Maintained sterile conditions throughout the surgical process to ensure patient safety.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to ensure seamless workflow before, during, and after surgeries.
- Assisted in positioning patients on operating table and covered them with sterile drapes.
Surgical Technologist
Kadlec Regional Medical Center
Richland
01.2013 - 12.2013
- My primary case's that I performed were as follows; TLIF's, XLIF's, anterior and or posterior fusions, including all regions; cervical, thoracic, lumbar and occasionally Craniotomies, I was also partial to the vascular team were I did AV fistula's, Carotid Endarterectomies, Femoral Popliteal bypass (Fem-Pop, Fem-Fem), Amputations, Endoscopic AAA and open AAA.
- Prepared surgical instruments for various procedures in a fast-paced environment.
- Assisted surgeons by providing necessary tools during operations efficiently.
- Set up case in an aseptic manner after reviewing preference card.
- Gown and glove surgeon and assistants, help with draping or initiate draping by myself.
- Adequately pass instruments and assist during surgery if need be.
- Perform all necessary counts with nurse to be verified.
- Break down sterile field at end of case.
- Drop soiled cart off in decontamination and help clean OR.
Surgical Technologist/Assistant
Ada Plastic Surgery
Boise
05.2012 - 12.2012
- Assisted surgeon during procedures by preparing instruments and ensuring sterility.
- Managed surgical supplies and maintained inventory for efficient workflow.
- Collaborated with the surgical team to ensure patient safety and comfort.
- Educated patients on pre-operative care and post-operative recovery processes.
Education
Associate of Applied Science -
College of Western Idaho
Alumni Diploma - general academics
Meridian High School
Skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Effective Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Independent work
- Problem solving
- Operating room experience
- Neurological cases
- Trauma cases
- Vascular cases
- Surgical Assistant
- Emergency response
- Attention to detail
Surgical Experience
Completed over 150 clinical cases within 4 alternating rotations at 2 Regional Hospitals: St Luke's (both downtown Boise and Meridian locations) and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Endoscopy Unit, Peripheral Vascular, General, Plastics, Oral Maxillofacial, Neuro, Orthopedics, OB-GYN, ENT, Genitourinary, Eyes. Conducted professional performance in emergency cases for the trauma team at Saint Alphonsus (level II trauma center). I assisted Dr. McKim at ADA Plastic Surgery as a newly graduate, where I was taught to do skin closure, proper application of dressings, applying integral assistance during surgical procedures, ordered implants, maintain inventory. Consulted/Follow-up with patients, assembled instrument sets and autoclave/sterilized trays.
Most of my surgical experience and journey however, has been conducted at Saint Alphonsus where I have done such an array of surgical case’s, -most of those being complex procedures, -from assisting the surgeon’s with a crani-hemispherectomy, Thoracolumbar Cordectomy, and Bypass/Aneuysim. It was here at Saint Alphonsus where I became an essential part of the operating room team and to do so, I had acquired all the skills I possess today to be quick, intentional and accurate with every move I make as a surgical technician.
Timeline
Spine Specialist
Stryker/VB Spine
10.2024 - Current
Surgical Technologist
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center
07.2018 - 10.2024
Surgical Technologist
Kadlec Regional Medical Center
07.2015 - 07.2018
Surgical Technologist
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
01.2014 - 07.2015
Surgical Technologist
Kadlec Regional Medical Center
01.2013 - 12.2013
Surgical Technologist/Assistant
Ada Plastic Surgery
05.2012 - 12.2012
Associate of Applied Science -
College of Western Idaho
Alumni Diploma - general academics
Meridian High School