Certified Surgical Technician

Tennova Healthcare- North Knoxville Medical Center; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Tennova Healthcare- North Knoxville Medical Center seeks a Certified Surgical Technician to assist the operating room team in delivering safe, high-quality patient care. You will prepare and maintain the sterile field, anticipate needs, and handle instruments and supplies with strict infection control.

You will support OR efficiency through equipment readiness, counts, and documentation, under RN supervision, with adherence to hospital policies. CST and BLS are required.

Qualifications

• 0–2 years operating room surgical technician experience required.
• CST - Certified Surgical Technologist required; BLS - Basic Life Support required.
• Technical school or associate degree credentials in surgical technology.

Responsibilities

• Prepares the operating room with instruments, equipment and supplies for procedures.
• Maintains a sterile field and adheres to asepsis and Universal Precautions.
• Anticipates surgeon needs and passes instruments during procedures.
• Handles instruments per manufacturer instructions and hospital policy.
• Performs sponge, needle and instrument counts with the circulating nurse.
• Assists with patient positioning, draping, and transfer under RN direction.
• Maintains physician preference cards and procedural documentation.
• Restocks supplies, cleans equipment, and prepares rooms for next cases.
• Performs other duties and maintains regular attendance.

Skills

Surgical technique expertise

Teamwork and communication

Infection control procedures

Education

Technical school graduate in Surgical Technology or Practical Nursing

Associate Degree in Surgical Technology or Applied Sciences

Job description

Job Summary

The Surgical Technician - Certified works collaboratively with the surgical team to facilitate safe, effective, and high-quality patient care in the operating room. This role prepares and maintains the sterile field, anticipates surgical team needs, and ensures proper handling of surgical instruments and supplies. The Surgical Technician - Certified also supports OR efficiency through equipment readiness, inventory management, and adherence to infection prevention protocols.

Essential Functions

• Prepares the operating room by ensuring surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies are properly set up and available based on the procedure and physician preference card.
• Maintains a sterile field throughout the surgical procedure, applying principles of Universal Precautions, asepsis, and sterile technique.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon, passing instruments and supplies accurately and efficiently during surgical procedures.
• Handles surgical instruments and equipment according to manufacturer instructions and hospital policy, including inspection, point-of-use cleaning, and sterilization.
• Performs and documents sponge, needle, and instrument counts in collaboration with the circulating nurse to support patient safety.
• Assists with patient positioning, draping, and transfer under the direction of the RN to ensure patient safety and procedural readiness.
• Supports ongoing maintenance and accuracy of physician preference cards and procedural documentation.
• Restocks supplies, cleans and returns equipment to designated storage areas, and prepares rooms for subsequent cases to ensure OR efficiency.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Technical School graduate of Surgical Technology or Practical Nursing program required or
• Associate Degree in Surgical Technology or Applied Sciences required
• 0-2 years of operating room surgical technician experience required

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Expertise in surgical techniques, instrumentation, and sterile processing.
• Ability to anticipate the needs of the surgical team and respond quickly during procedures.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to maintain efficient workflow.
• Knowledge of regulatory and accreditation standards, including safety and infection control protocols.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with the perioperative team.
• Commitment to patient safety and high-quality care.

Licenses and Certifications

• CST - Certified Surgical Technologist required
• BLS - Basic Life Support required