Surgical Assistant & Surgical Technologist Trainer

Aurora Health Care; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora Health Care seeks a seasoned educator to orient and train Scrub, Surgical Technologist, and Surgical Assistant personnel on policies, procedures, and emergency response.

The role develops in-service education programs, coordinates didactic and clinical sessions, and collaborates with clinical specialists to meet staff learning needs and certification prep requirements.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of major operative surgical specialties.
• Strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, and potential complications.
• Adept at aseptic techniques for prep of materials and suturing.

Responsibilities

• Orient staff to department policies and procedures.
• Develop, plan, and coordinate in-service education programs.
• Collaborate with Specialty Coordinators to address learning needs.
• Serve as consultant to staff for problem resolution.
• Promote high-quality care through education programs and cross-training.
• Coordinate didactic and clinical education sessions for certification prep.
• Evaluate teaching strategies of staff preceptors and support them.

Skills

Surgical knowledge

Anatomy knowledge

Aseptic technique

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Education

Surgical Technology program

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• To orient all new and current Scrub, Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistant personnel to department and hospital policies, procedures and functions, To perform on the job training and planning of appropriate in-service education programs for Scrub, Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistant personnel to ensure accuracy of performance, continuing education, compliance with policies and procedures and proper response in emergency situations.
• Develops, plans, coordinates and implements in-service and continuing education programs and activities.
• Develops programs that meet the individualized needs of the staff and the performance expectations of the department.
• Works with the Specialty Coordinators to ensure specialty specific learning needs are addressed. Coordinates activities, individualized learning need analysis, goal establishment and consistent communication and counseling of the staff.
• Communicates and collaborates with the Clinical Nurse Specialist to develop and enhance approaches and concepts in continuing education.
• Serves as consultant to staff to provide support and resources for problem-resolution.
• Responsible for promoting high-quality care through the implementation of various roll integrations. Creates, implements and oversees cross-training activities. Provides ongoing evaluation of role expertise in collaboration with the Coordinators, Managers and Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• Coordinates and documents organization of a didactic and clinical program. Provides education sessions specific to each role in preparation for certification exams.
• Develops and monitors preceptor education program and staff in conjunction with Clinical Nurse Specialist. Evaluates the teaching strategies of staff preceptors and supports them in this role.
• Assists management in the development of team relationships in Surgery. Facilitates positive communication throughout the department.
• Educates physicians, students and ancillary personnel and acts as a role model to staff to advocate compliance to hospital department Standards of Practice.

Major Responsibilities

• To orient all new and current Scrub, Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistant personnel to department and hospital policies, procedures and functions, To perform on the job training and planning of appropriate in-service education programs for Scrub, Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistant personnel to ensure accuracy of performance, continuing education, compliance with policies and procedures and proper response in emergency situations.
• Develops, plans, coordinates and implements in-service and continuing education programs and activities.
• Develops programs that meet the individualized needs of the staff and the performance expectations of the department.
• Works with the Specialty Coordinators to ensure specialty specific learning needs are addressed. Coordinates activities, individualized learning need analysis, goal establishment and consistent communication and counseling of the staff.
• Communicates and collaborates with the Clinical Nurse Specialist to develop and enhance approaches and concepts in continuing education.
• Serves as consultant to staff to provide support and resources for problem-resolution.
• Responsible for promoting high-quality care through the implementation of various roll integrations. Creates, implements and oversees cross-training activities. Provides ongoing evaluation of role expertise in collaboration with the Coordinators, Managers and Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• Coordinates and documents organization of a didactic and clinical program. Provides education sessions specific to each role in preparation for certification exams.
• Develops and monitors preceptor education program and staff in conjunction with Clinical Nurse Specialist. Evaluates the teaching strategies of staff preceptors and supports them in this role.
• Assists management in the development of team relationships in Surgery. Facilitates positive communication throughout the department.
• Educates physicians, students and ancillary personnel and acts as a role model to staff to advocate compliance to hospital department Standards of Practice.

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
• Teammates hired after December 31, 2026, will be required to obtain and maintain certification by one of the three certification bodies listed below:
• Surgical First Assist (CSFA) certification issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
• Surgical Assistant Certified (SA-C) certification issued by the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)
• Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) certification issued by the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA).

Education Required

• Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Surgical Technology.

Experience Required

• Typically requires 5 years of experience in surgery, that includes experience as surgical technologist and/or surgical assistant.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Advanced knowledge and skill in major operative surgical specialties performed.
• Advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and potential complications for procedures performed.
• Demonstrated ability to remove skin staples and wound drains.
• Advanced knowledge and skill of aseptic surgical techniques used in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for various surgical procedures and suturing.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and recognize Physician's needs and changes that requires unplanned or unanticipated interventions and responds appropriately.
• Remain current with ongoing computer-based learning modules as assigned.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Good working knowledge of computer programs, specifically Microsoft Office, e-mail and handheld technology

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Must be able to withstand a very stressful and fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
• Must be able to carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• Must be able to perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Required to use foot pedals on carts or machines.
• Exposed to the following hazards on a continuous basis: mechanical, electrical, chemical, radiation, blood, and body fluids.
• Must have functional sight and hearing.
• Required to wear masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders and twist frequently during work shifts.
• Must be able to operate all equipment essential to perform the duties of the job.

DISCLAIMER

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position. Employees must follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their leaders.