Surgical Technician II- Surgery - Full Time 12 Hour Days

Keck Medicine of USC; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Keck Hospital of USC is seeking a Surgical Technician II for the Surgery department in Los Angeles. The role involves assisting the surgical team in the operating room, preparing and sterilizing instruments, and maintaining aseptic technique under RN guidance.

The position is full-time, 12-hour day shifts, non-exempt and union-based, with responsibilities including patient safety, instrument handling, and intraoperative support across head/neck, neuro, spine and ortho cases.

Qualifications

• Completion of a CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technician Program is required.
• One year of experience as a Surgical Technician or Surgical Technician intern is required.
• Active CST certification and BLS Healthcare Provider certification required.

Responsibilities

• Assists surgical team in operating room and prepares/sterilizes instruments.
• Maintains aseptic technique and ensures safety standards during procedures.
• Transports supplies, patients, and specimens as needed.
• Prepares the OR and supports decision-making for equipment and supplies.

Job description

Surgical Technician II- Surgery - Full Time 12 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Union)

Category: Keck Medicine of USC

Los Angeles, CA

Job ID: REQ20180217

Under general guidance of the Registered Nurse, the Surgical Tech II applies, demonstrates, and possesses proficient/advance knowledge, competencies, and skills of surgical and aseptic techniques and practices; assists the surgical team and performs a variety of tasks in an operating room; prepares, sterilizes, and cleans up surgical equipment and instruments; and is responsible for the care and safety of patients who come under his/her care. The Surgical Tech II is generally assigned a triad of surgical/operative procedures and exercises critical thinking and independent judgement

Essential Duties:

• Performs similar responsibilities as the Surgical Tech I but distinguishes from the Tech I in that the Surgical Tech II is an intermediate to advance level position and is generally assigned a triad of difficult surgical/operative procedures (such as Head, Neck, Neuro, Spine and/or Ortho surgeries) which requires proficient/advance knowledge, skills, and ability to adapt to the operative procedure.
• Adheres to all safety standards and policies (such as surgical, specimen collection, sterile processing, Title 22, JCAHO) as they relate while performing all responsibilities.
• Applies principles of aseptic technique and initiates prompt corrective action when breaks in aseptic technique occur.
• Remains attentive throughout the operative procedure, anticipating the needs of the surgical team, and responds appropriately during emergency intraoperative crises.
• Maintains ongoing communication with the circulating nurse and other members of the surgical team regarding changes in patient status or the progress of surgery.
• Arranges and inventories sterile set-up for operation.
• Facilitates the smooth flow of the surgical intervention (i.e., prepares for the procedure with updated preference cards, knowledge of instruments and equipment).
• Performs scrub role (such as anticipating surgical team’s needs, passing of instruments, cutting sutures, etc.) according to standards.
• Prepares, cleans, and maintains instruments, equipment, and all surgical related items in accordance to established guidelines.
• Transports patients, equipment, supplies, and specimens.
• Prepares operating room (OR) by setting up tables, instruments, and supplies in according to type of case/operative procedure.
• Performs the preceptor role in the training of students.
• Participates in decision-marking activities related to evaluating and acquiring surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.
• Recommends, implements, and participates process improvement projects on an ongoing basis.
• May mentor and/or lead other surgical technician
• May assist in performing circulating skills and task.
• Performs all duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Req High School or equivalent
• Req Specialized/technical training Completion of a CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technician Program is required.

• Req 1 year One-year experience as a Surgical Technician or as a Surgical Technician intern required. *Surgical Technician intern experience must be paid and completed at Keck Medicine of USC.
• Req Active practice as a Surgical Technician within the six (6) months prior to application

• Req Organization/time management skills.
• Req Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Surgical Technologist - CST Valid Surgical Tech certification (CST) from accreditation organizations CAAHEP or ABHES
• Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

Keck Hospital of USC Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital’s world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.

The hourly rate range for this position is $35.88 - $61.00.

Posted Date: 09/15/2026