Lead Surgical Tech OR

WVU Medicine; Charleston, Northern (WV, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

WVU Medicine in Charleston, WV is seeking a lead surgical technologist to support intraoperative patient care as the primary scrub person during procedures. You will mentor scrub staff, coordinate with the RN Service Line Coordinator to standardize instrumentation and ensure efficient case setup.

This role requires strong aseptic technique, attention to inventory, and collaboration across teams to optimize operating room flow.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in healthcare with 7+ years of surgical technologist experience, or high school diploma with 9+ years of surgical technologist experience.
• Surgical Technologist certification and Basic Life Support certification within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates expert aseptic technique and maintains sterile field.
• Anticipates surgical needs and sets up instruments, equipment, and supplies for all case types.
• Performs complex procedures and operates specialized equipment with minimal oversight.
• Assists with patient transport, positioning, and safe surgical preparation in coordination with clinical staff.
• Serves as a mentor and resource to team members, providing orientation and feedback.
• Leads onboarding assignments for new surgical technologists with the RN coordinator.
• Oversees supply management, equipment checks, and removal of expired items per policy.
• Coordinates with surgeons on equipment needs and service-specific setup.
• Contributes to clinical documentation, data tracking, and charge capture.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Surgical instrumentation

Mentorship

Clinical documentation

Education

Associate degree in healthcare

Surgical Technologist certification

Basic Life Support certification

Job description

Welcome! We’re excited you’re considering an opportunity with us! Below, you’ll find other important information about this position.

Serves as the lead surgical technologist supporting the delivery of surgical technician services within assigned service lines. Provides direct intraoperative patient care by functioning as the primary scrub person during operative procedures. Acts as a mentor to surgical technologists performing scrub duties on service-specific cases, promoting consistency and skill development. Collaborates with the RN Service Line Coordinator to standardize instrumentation, maintain accurate preference cards, and ensure efficient case preparation. Assists in the oversight, care, and monitoring of service-specific equipment and supply inventory and to support safe and effective surgical operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Associate Degree in Healthcare Field AND seven (7) years of Surgical Technologist experience OR High School Diploma AND nine (9) years of Surgical Technologist experience
• 2. Surgical Technologist certification
• 3. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1. Advanced knowledge of three specialties.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• 1. Demonstrates and enforces expert-level aseptic techniques and sterile field practices.
• 2. Anticipates surgical needs and ensures timely setup of instruments, equipment, and supplies for all case types.
• 3. Performs complex procedures and operates specialized equipment with minimal oversight.
• 4. Assists with patient transport, positioning, and safe surgical preparation in coordination with clinical staff.
• 5. Serves as a mentor and resource to team members, providing orientation, in-services, and performance feedback.
• 6. Plans onboarding assignments for new surgical technologists in collaboration with the RN coordinator.
• 7. Leads audits and supports quality initiatives including tray reviews, preference card updates, and inventory accuracy.
• 8. Oversees supply management, equipment checks, and removal of expired or damaged items per policy.
• 9. Participates in schedule reviews and leads turnover efforts to enhance procedural flow and efficiency.
• 10. Coordinates with surgeons on equipment needs, onboarding, and service-specific setup.
• 11. Contributes to clinical documentation, data tracking, charge capture, and clerical support as needed.
• 12. Represents the surgical tech team in unit projects, product trials, and cross-functional meetings.
• 13. Demonstrates professionalism, initiative, and leadership in daily practice.
• 14. Provides coaching and mentorship to team members, supports onboarding and skill development, and contributes to performance evaluations to foster continuous growth and team success.

Physical Requirements

• 1. Capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• 2. Ability to lift up to 40-pounds and push/pull heavy loaded carts up to 200 lbs.
• 3. Possess visual, hearing, and oral acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability.
• 4. Ability to wear lead for extended periods of time.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills and Abilities

• 1. Demonstrates and can articulate rationale for clinical practice.
• 2. Demonstration of clinical ability to fulfill calls responsibilities; usually requires six months work experience at WVUH.

Additional Job Description

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Non-Exempt) Company: THOM Thomas Hospitals Cost Center: 1702 THOM HVI Vascular Address: 4605 Maccorkle Ave SW South Charleston West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

Company Overview

The West Virginia University Health System is West Virginia’s largest health system and the state’s largest employer with more than 3,400 licensed beds, 4,600 providers, 35,000 employees, and $7 billion in total operating revenues. The Health System is comprised of 25 hospitals – including J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, an 880-bed academic medical center, and the 150-bed WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia – and five institutes. To learn more, visit WVUMedicine.org.