(Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP) designated MOS)
a. Major duties.
The operating room specialist assists the nursing staff in preparing the patient and the operating room (OR) environment for surgery and for providing assistance to the medical staff during surgical procedures.
They also operate the centralized material service (CMS) and are responsible for preparing and maintaining sterile medical supplies and special equipment for medical treatment facilities.
The operating room specialist also assists in the management of operating room suites.
Duties for MOS 68D at each level of skill are:
(1) MOSC 68D1O.
Assist in preparing patients and operating room environment for surgery and provides assistance to the medical staff during surgical procedures to include the creation and maintenance of sterile fields for surgical procedures, the draping of patients, the preparation, manipulation, and delivery of basic surgical instruments and equipment, and the accountability for all instruments, needles, sponges and medications placed within the sterile field.
The duties do not include the manipulation of tissue (cutting, suturing, cannulating, grafting, sawing or drilling).
Perform various preoperative and postoperative procedures as directed.
Maintain the cleanliness of the operating room.
Receives, cleans, decontaminates, sterilizes, stores and issues various medical supplies and equipment used during surgical procedures.
Responsible for the sterilization process, which includes inspecting, cleaning, assembling, warping and sterilizing equipment.
Operates and runs sterilization checks on a variety of sterilization equipment to include Steam, ETO, Sterrad and Steris Systems.
(2) MOSC 68D2O.
Performs duties shown in the preceding skill level and provides technical guidance to subordinates.
Perform circulator services under the direct supervision on an RN as required.
Sets up, positions, and operates specialized and advanced operating room equipment.
Supervises and advises subordinate personnel.
(3) MOSC 68D3O.
Performs duties shown in the preceding skill level and provides technical guidance to subordinates.
Implements and monitors the automatic war and clinic delivery system.
Monitor quality of sterilization techniques to ensure adherence to established standards.
Supervise the maintenance programs in the operating room and the central material service.
Establishes stock levels for requisitioning supplies and equipment and supervises their storage and issue.
Prepares and maintains various reports and files.
Supervises and advises subordinate personnel.
(4) MOSC 68D4O.
Performs duties shown in the preceding skill level and provides technical guidance to subordinates.
Coordinate activities of the OR and CMS with other elements of the medical treatment facility.
Develops, monitors, and evaluates training.
Establishes policies for and monitors exposure levels of sterilization chemicals and anesthetic gases with the OR.
Participates in the preparation of the OR and CMS budget.
Supervises and advises subordinate personnel.
b. Physical demands rating and qualifications for initial award of MOS.
(Qualifications in subparagraphs (7) and (8), below are required for retention of MOS.)
The operating room specialist must possess the following qualifications:
(1) A physical demands rating of Moderate (Gold).
(2) A physical profile of 222221.
(3) Normal color perception and normal vision with or without corrective lens.
(4) No aversion to the sight of blood and freedom from chronic or recurrent skin infections or allergies when handling antiseptics, disinfectants, or cleaning agents.
No skin allergies related to latex products.
(5) Per AR 600-8-19, promotion to MSG and SGM requires an interim secret eligibility or higher.
(6) Must possess finger dexterity in both hands.
(7) Qualifying scores.
(a)
A minimum score of 95 in aptitude area ST in Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests administered prior to 2 January 2002.
(b)
A minimum score of 92 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on and after 2 January 2002 and prior to 1 July 2004.
(c)
A minimum score of 91 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on and after 1 July 2004.
(d)
A minimum score of 101 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on and after 1 June 2019.
(e)
A minimum OPAT score of Standing Long Jump (LJ) – 0120 cm, Seated Power Throw (PT) – 0350 cm, Strength Deadlift (SD) – 0120 lbs., and Interval Aerobic Run (IR) – 0036 shuttles in Physical Demand Category in “Moderate” (Gold).
(8) No history of a felony conviction.
(9) No history of conviction of crimes involving:
(a)
An out of hospital patient or a patient or resident of a medical care facility.
(b)
Financial exploitation of a person entrusted to a care of the applicant.
(c)
Any weapons/ammunition/explosives/arson charges.
(d)
Any drug activity involving illegal possession, buying, selling or distribution (dealing) of controlled substances or synthetics.
(e)
Violence against persons, animals or property.
(f)
Sexual misconduct.
(10) No record of conviction by special or general courts-martial or civilian courts of offenses listed in AR 27-10 (Military Justice), chapter 24 or otherwise required to register as a sexual offender under AR 27-10, chapter 24.
(11) Formal training (completion of MOS 68D course conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE)) mandatory or meet the ACASP criteria per paragraph 9-5b (5) (b) of this pamphlet and in paragraphs (a) and (b) below.
(a)
Have a current Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
(b)
Proficiency training must be performed under supervision of an Army nurse corps officer or NCO (SSG and above) qualified in MOS 68D at initial duty assignment.
(12) All prior MOS 68D Soldiers serving in another MOS reclassifying back into MOS 68D, will be reviewed for validation of skills, by the proponent, during the reclassification process.
c. Additional skill identifiers.
(Note: Refer to table 12-8 (Listing of universal ASI’s associated with all enlisted MOS)).
d. Physical requirements and standards of grade.
Physical requirements and SG relating to each skill level are listed in the following tables:
(1) Table 10-68D-1. Physical requirements.
(2) Table 10-68D-2. Standards of grade TOE/MTOE.
(3) Table 10-68D-3. Standards of grade TDA.