Cardiac Surgical Technologist

Tufts Medical Center, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts Medical Center, Inc. is seeking an entry-level Surgical Technologist to join the Cardiovascular Operating Room team. You will assist in advanced cardiac procedures, pass instruments, maintain sterile technique, and support perioperative staff in a high-acuity surgical environment.

The role offers training, mentorship, and the opportunity to grow within a leading academic medical center known for heart transplant achievements and regional surgical excellence.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 0–12 months of healthcare experience.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
• Completed training program for surgical technology or equivalent.
• New graduates must credential within 12 months of graduation.

Responsibilities

• Functions in a professional manner as the Surgical Technologist in the OR.
• Maintains aseptic technique during set-up, patient draping and during surgical procedure.
• Scrubs on surgical cases, participates in surgery by organizing the instrumentation to the surgeon, participating in surgical counts.
• Selects and prepares the appropriate instruments, supplies and equipment for surgical cases.
• Performs related activities under the direction of the surgeon.
• Performs all counts with the circulating nurse according to Operating Room policy.
• Manages intraoperative medications in accordance with OR policy.
• Manages surgical specimens according to physician’s orders and hospital policy.
• Follows OR procedures for proper decontamination of instrumentation, equipment, and room turnover.
• Assists in patient positioning and room turnover activities.
• Participates in OR quality improvement, education, and emergency preparedness.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Anatomy & physiology knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Medical terminology

Life span patient care understanding

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Join One of New England's Leading Cardiac Surgery Programs At Tufts Medical Center, our Cardiovascular Operating Room team supports some of the most advanced and complex cardiac procedures in the region. Surgical Technologists are integral members of the surgical team, assisting in innovative cardiovascular surgeries while working alongside nationally recognized surgeons, perfusionists, anesthesia providers, and perioperative staff in a highly specialized environment.

Since 2000, Tufts Medical Center has performed more adult heart transplants than any other hospital in New England, completing 657 transplants during that time. In 2024, the program set a new regional record by performing 70 adult heart transplants, surpassing its previous record of 61 in 2023.

Grow Your Skills in a High-Acuity Surgical Environment

Cardiac Surgical Technologists at Tufts Medical Center are part of a collaborative team focused on delivering safe, seamless, and exceptional patient care during every procedure. The complexity of our cardiac cases provides ongoing opportunities to strengthen technical expertise, expand clinical knowledge, and grow within a fast-paced academic medical center setting.

Our department values teamwork, communication, and continuous learning. Staff are supported through comprehensive training, mentorship, and ongoing professional development opportunities designed to help Surgical Technologists build confidence and advance their careers in cardiovascular surgery.

Tufts Medical Center is a world-renowned academic medical center that has been caring for patients across New England for more than 200 years. As the principal teaching hospital of Tufts University School of Medicine and a nationally respected research institution, we are known for delivering groundbreaking, patient-centered care across more than 100 specialties and services, from primary care to our Level I Trauma Center to the region’s leading heart transplant program.

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Surgical Services duties: Responsible for medical services involving the excision or incision of a patient's body, such as interventional pain management and other procedures. This position also works to provide a safe environment for patients undergoing invasive procedures or surgery. A clinical technologist role that has specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, and experience. This role will be most commonly applied to patient care and/or scientific/laboratory jobs. An entry-level role typically requiring little to no prior knowledge or experience and requiring vocational or technical education. Work is routine or follows standard procedures, is closely supervised, and communicates information that requires little explanation or interpretation.

Job Overview

This position is an entry level Surgical Technician position who practices under the supervision of the surgical team in the Operating Room to deliver patient care throughout the perioperative experience. Assists the Surgeon during surgery by providing the appropriate instruments and in maintaining and organizing operating room equipment. Performs according to the policies, procedures, philosophy, and objectives of the department and hospital. Works cooperatively within department and other services to create a system of quality health care.

Job Description Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Before July 1, 2013, employed as a surgical technologist in a surgical facility; OR Successfully completed a training program for surgical technology in the military; OR Graduated from an accredited Surgical Tech Program.
3. 0-Less than 12 Months of healthcare experience.
4. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
5. New graduates of an accredited Surgical Tech Program must obtain credential within 12 months of graduation date.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Functions in a professional manner as the Surgical Technologist Operating Room on a wide variety and in all stages of surgical procedures.
2. Maintains strict aseptic technique during set-up, patient draping and during surgical procedure.
3. Scrubs on surgical cases, participates in surgery by organizing the instrumentation to the surgeon, participating in surgical counts.
4. Selects and prepares the appropriate instruments, supplies and equipment for surgical cases.
5. Performs related activities under the direction of the surgeon.
6. Performs all counts with the circulating nurse according to Operating Room policy.
7. Manages all intraoperative medications in accordance with Operating Room policy.
8. Manages surgical specimens according to Physician’s orders and Hospital policy.
9. Follows Operating Room procedures for the proper decontamination of instrumentation, equipment, and room turnover.
10. Assists in the positioning, moving and transporting of patients as needed.
11. Reports equipment and supply problems to the Charge Nurse, Service Lead or Clinical Nursing Director as needed.
12. When not participating on surgical cases, assists with positioning obtaining needed items during surgery and assists in room turnover activities.
13. Participates in Operating Room activities related to quality improvement, continuing education, orientation of new personnel and emergency preparedness.
14. Remains knowledgeable about service specific equipment ensuring safe and efficient utilization.
15. Maintains a collaborative work relationship with peers and colleagues in order to create a positive work environment.

Physical Requirements

1. Ability to work within the semi-restricted and restricted environment of the Operating Room and other Perioperative support areas.
2. Stands under hot surgical lights for prolonged periods of time.
3. Possibility of muscle strain from lifting patients and heavy equipment, shocks and burns from cautery units and autoclaves. Possibility of cuts from sharp instruments.
4. Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, blood and bodily fluids, extreme noise levels, radiation, lasers, drastic fluctuations in ambient temperature, etc.
5. Ability to wear a protective lead apron for extended periods of time and exposure to radioactivity, harmful anesthesia gases and septic infections.
6. Requires frequent lifting and positioning of patients, materials, equipment, power tools, instruments, etc.
7. Frequent contacts with patients, physicians and nursing staff in Operating Room.

Skills & Abilities

1. Advanced knowledge of aseptic technique and infection prevention practices.
2. Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, microbiology, and pharmacology to ensure that optimal patient care is provided.
3. Basic knowledge of computers, surgical equipment, and infrastructure.
4. Basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively interact with staff, patients, physicians, vendors, and other departments within the hospital.
6. Demonstrates essential knowledge in all procedures related to their surgical specialty area and has sufficient general knowledge to assist in other specialties as needed.

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day. The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.

Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth- one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.

Pay Range

$36.00 - $43.49

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community health care to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Healthcare, an expansive home care network and a large clinically integrated physician network, Tufts Medicine has more than 15,000 dedicated employees and caregivers. The health system came together in 2014 to leverage the experience of its member organizations and integrate their missions to together transform the ways that consumers engage with and experience their care.