Surgical Technician, Certified

Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah Health seeks a certified surgical technician to assist the surgical team as the primary scrub technician, handling instruments, supplies and equipment during procedures.

This role maintains the sterile field, supports multiple surgeons, and contributes to maintaining equipment and inventory. Location-based shifts may require calls during holidays and weekends, with duties expanding to education of students and ongoing unit improvement.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of an accredited OR Technician program or military training as a scrub tech.
• Two years of hands-on experience as a surgical technician.
• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential (within 30 days of hire).
• Current certification as a Technologist in Surgery (TS-C) through NCCT.
• Current certification as a Surgical Technologist (CST) through NBSTSA.

Responsibilities

• Check supplies, instrumentation and equipment for procedures and ensure they work properly.
• Open sterile supplies and set up the table for each procedure.
• Provide a sterile field and assist with draping the patient to isolate the operative site.
• Maintain the sterile field and inform the team of any aseptic violations.
• Anticipate and pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon.
• Follow the perioperative count policy with the circulating nurse.
• Maintain and sterilize instruments and supplies.
• Assist in maintenance of specialty surgical services.
• Prepare sterile dressings for incisions.
• Orient medical/nursing students and technicians to the unit.
• Support unit goals, quality improvement and cost containment measures.
• Coordinate borrowing/lending of equipment as directed.

Skills

Medical terminology

Communication skills

Sterile field maintenance

Patient care

Interpersonal skills

Education

OR Technician program

Military scrub tech training

RQI eCredential

TS-C (NCCT)

CST (NBSTSA)

Job description

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position requires the certified surgical technician to assist the surgical team by acting as the primary scrub technician who handles the instruments, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures. Incumbents maintain constant vigilance for the maintenance of the sterile field and are continually learning new techniques to better assist in specialty surgical services. The technician assists with maintaining equipment and instruments as well as with supply inventory. Based on location, mandatory call, holiday and weekend shifts may be required for all employees. This position may be required to access and handle medications within their scope of practice, under provider direction, and according to state law.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Checks supplies/instrumentation and equipment needed for surgical procedures and ensures they are working properly.
• Opens sterile supplies and sets up the table for each surgical procedure.
• Provides a sterile field for surgical procedures. Ensures that the members of the surgical team are properly attired and assists the surgeon with draping the patient to isolate the operative site.
• Assists in the maintenance of the sterile field by applying principles of aseptic techniques and informing the surgeon/surgical team of infractions.
• Anticipates and passes instruments and supplies to the surgeon.
• Follows the perioperative count policy which includes counting sharps, instruments, sponges, etc. in collaboration with the circulating nurse.
• Knows what counted items are used at the sterile field.
• Cleans, wraps and prepares the instruments for sterilization.
• Assists in the maintenance of specialty surgical services.
• Prepares the sterile dressing for the patient's incision.
• Orients medical/nursing students and technicians to the unit.
• Assists in the development of unit goals/objectives, quality improvement and cost containment measures.
• Arranges for borrowing/lending of equipment as directed.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, physiology and anatomy.
• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.
• Ability to provide care appropriate to the population served.
• Ability to operate with the authority to alert operating room staff when there is a break in the sterile field and to take appropriate corrective measures. This requires good interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to maintain a fast/rapid pace as well as working for multiple surgeons and anticipating their individual needs and preferences.
• Ability to ensure the proper care, maintenance and coordination of surgical instruments and supplies.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications

Required

One of the following:

• Successful completion of an accredited O.R. Technician program, military training as a scrub tech.
• Two (2) years of hands‑on experience as a surgical technician.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Current certification as a Certified Technologist in Surgery (TS-C) through NCCT
• Current certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) through NBSTSA.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds any may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects. The incumbent may face exposure to potentially dangerous contaminated body fluids, new and used needles, razor blades, knives, bone shavings, pieces of glass, and other contaminants as part of the daily hazards of the job and must wear protective attire at all times. The position also requires standing or walking for long periods of time.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Climbing, Color Determination, Crawling, Far Vision, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Non Indicated, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Walking

Multi‑lingual Candidates Welcomed

EEO Statement

University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, a part of The University of Utah, values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patient populations.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, a part of The University of Utah, is an Affidutive Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources office at 801‑581‑6500. If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/ Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu/

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems "URS". Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post‑retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366‑7770 or (800) 695‑4877 or Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources at (801) 581‑6500 if you have questions regarding the post‑retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

Requisition Number 85596
Reg/Temp Regular
Employment Type Full-Time
Shift Variable
Work Schedule Determined upon interview
Location Name Acute Care Complex (ACC)
Workplace Set Up On-site
City Salt Lake City
State UT
Department UUH ANC 22C ACC Operating Room
Category Health Care Support
Workplace Set Up On-site