Surgical Technician

CareWell Health Medical Center; East Orange (NJ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare institution in East Orange, New Jersey, is seeking a Surgical Technologist. The ideal candidate will assist surgical teams, maintain sterile conditions, and ensure efficient operation of surgical instruments. Requirements include 1-2 years of experience in an acute care setting, completion of an accredited surgical technology program, and certification. The role demands flexibility to cover holidays and weekends, ensuring high standards of patient care and safety.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience as a scrub tech for orthopedic, neuro, and spine cases.
• Certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or the Association of Surgical Technologists.
• Completed a post-high-school program accredited by CAAHEP.
• BLS‑CPR certification required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the sterile field in the operating room.
• Assist the surgical team and prepare the operating room.
• Prepare patients for surgery and assist with specimen care.
• Prepare patients for surgery and transport/position on table; apply sterile drapes.

Skills

Sterile technique

Instrumentation

Patient care

Team collaboration

Surgical assisting

Education

Associate degree in surgical technology

Certification by NBSTSA or AST

BLS CPR

Associate degree preferred

Job description

Job Summary

To maintain the sterile field in the operating room, being constantly vigilant to see that proper aseptic techniques are utilized to prevent contamination and infection. To assist the surgical team as the sterile member who passes instruments, sutures, and sponges during surgery.

Essential Functions

• Before an operation, helps set up the operating room and organizes sterile table with surgical instruments and equipment, sterile linens, and sterile solutions.
• Checks, adjusts, and operates equipment such as sterilizers, lights, suction machines, electrosurgical units, and diagnostic equipment.
• Maintains supply of fluids such as plasma, saline, blood, and glucose for use during operation.
• Prepares patients for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites. Also transports, positions patients on table, and covers them with sterile surgical "drapes."
• Scrubs hands and arms, puts on sterile operating room attire to be able to work within the sterile field established around the patient and to handle the sterilized instruments, equipment, and supplies used in the procedure.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon, passing instruments, and providing sterile items in an efficient manner.
• Helps prepare, care for, and dispose of specimens taken for laboratory analysis, holds retractors, cuts sutures, and applies dressings as directed.
• Cleans and restocks the operating room.
• Adheres to The Joint Commission (TJC) on professional standards and attends hospital in-service training sessions as directed. Provides age-appropriate care for all age groups.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Education/Certifications

1-2-year experience as a scrub tech for orthopedic, neuro and spine cases. Must have completed a post‑high‑school program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Associate degree preferred. Must be certified by the NBSTSA – National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or AST – Association of Surgical Technologists. Surgical technologists who were already working as surgical technologists in a licensed health care facility were grandfathered and did not have to meet the education or certification requirement to continue working. BLS‑CPR.

Minimum Work Experience

At least two years of experience as a surgical technologist in an acute care setting.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

Must be willing to work holidays, weekends and provide additional coverage as needed.

Physical Demands Analysis

The following tables detail the individual physical demands using the following six categories: Mobility, Strength, Upper Extremity Postural Activity, Sensory/Perceptual, Work Environment, and Conditions of Work.