CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Cook County Health & Hospitals System is seeking a Certified Surgical Technologist to join the operating room team. The role involves preparing the sterile field, maintaining surgeon readiness, and ensuring patient safety throughout preoperative and intraoperative steps.

Expect responsibilities including instrument handling, counts, draping, and collaboration with the circulator, anesthesia, and nursing staff, while adhering to strict infection control standards.

Qualifications

• Completion of an approved Operating Room Technician/Surgical Technician program.
• Must be a Certified Surgical Technologist in Illinois (NBSTA or NCCT).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

Responsibilities

• Performs the surgical scrub while donning PPE.
• Gathers, checks and opens supplies and equipment for the procedure.
• Sets up sterile back table and mayo stand with instruments and meds.
• Performs instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator.
• Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.
• Coordinates instruments and supplies during the procedure.
• Maintains sterile technique throughout the operation.
• Prepares sterile dressings and passes specimens as appropriate.
• Assists in prepping OR for the next patient.

Skills

Certified Surgical Technologist

BLS certification

Sterile technique

Team coordination

Education

Operating Room Technician program

Tools

Impress tray system

Job description

If you have an issue completing your application, please call Taleo Support at 312-864-0430.

CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST

Job Number: 00139406

Job Posting

Job Posting: Oct 5, 2026, 3:16:28 PM

Closing Date: Oct 20, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

Full-time Shift Start Time: 10:00 A.M. Shift End Time: 6:00 P.M.

Collective Bargaining

Unit: SEIU Local 73

Posting Salary: $32.051 to $38.620 HOURLY

Organization

Health and Hospital Systems

Shift

10AM-6PM

Salary Information

Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.

The Certified Surgical Technologist in the first scrub role handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. He/she has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon. He/she has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field.

Typical Duties

Preoperative Duties

• Performs the surgical scrub while donning gown, gloves, and any other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Gathers, checks and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure.
• Sets up the sterile back table and mayo stand with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure.
• Performs initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator.
• Assists the team members with gowning and gloving.
• Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.
• Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out procedure.

Intraoperative Duties

• Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment and supplies for usage during the procedure.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedure
• Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure.
• Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.
• Sponges or suctions the operative site.
• Applies electrocautery to clamps or forceps on bleeders.
• Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon.
• Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
• Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure.
• Performs additional counts as necessary.
• Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices.
• Prepares and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate.
• Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization per hospital policy.
• Assists other members of the team with room turnover and cleaning.
• Assists in prepping the Operating Room for the next patient
• Uses Impress tray and instrument tracking system per hospital policy.
• Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.
• Takes on-call rotation.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of an approved Operating Room Technician/Surgical Technician, or approved Military Program is required. (Must provide proof at time of interview).
• Must be a Certified Surgical Technologist in the State of Illinois through one (1) of the following: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTA) OR National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) is required. (Must provide proof at time of interview).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification obtained through the American Heart Association is required. (Must provide proof at time of interview).
• (Certification(s) and/or license(s) must be current and active throughout the course of employment without lapse in expiration time, as required to meet the qualifications of the job)

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of full-time work experience as a Certified Surgical Technologist

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Working knowledge of the standard concepts, practices and procedures of an operating room
• Thorough knowledge of the standard methods of cleaning and maintaining operating room instruments, equipment, and supplies
• Demonstrated knowledge of the standard preparation of patients for surgery and post-surgery procedures
• Thorough knowledge of the procedures used in performing the duties and responsibilities of a Scrub Attendant
• Demonstrate awareness of patient and family rights, ethical, legal, cultural, and spiritual concerns
• Ability to bend, lift, push heavy objects
• Ability to stand, stoop, bend, and reach for extended periods
• Ability to distinguish basic colors, and shades of colors
• Ability to hear normally with or without assistive device
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to the healthcare needs of pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients
• Ability to recognize age specific instruments and equipment needs for pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients
• Ability to directly assist physicians and nurses with operating room procedures
• Ability to apply the principles of infectious control and asepsis in performing duties
• Ability to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for patients

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.

Veteran Preference

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable)

Items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

Veterans MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U. S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must bepresented at time of interview.

*Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.