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

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Keck Medicine of USC is seeking a Surgical Tech II to provide advanced support in the operating room, ensuring aseptic technique and patient safety. The role involves instrument handling, scrub duties, and collaboration with the surgical team to manage complex procedures.

The candidate should have a CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technician Program, CST certification, and BLS. Prior USC Keck experience and LA City safety training are advantageous.

Qualifications

• Completion of a CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technician Program is required.
• 1 year experience as a Surgical Technician or intern required; intern paid and completed at Keck Medicine of USC.
• CST certification from CAAHEP or ABHES; BLS Healthcare Provider.
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) if applicable and renewed within required timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Performs as a Surgical Tech II, assisting the surgical team.
• Maintains aseptic technique and safety standards during procedures.
• Prepares, sterilizes, and cleans instruments and equipment.
• Transports supplies, prepares OR, and anticipates needs of the team.
• Performs scrub role and passes instruments during surgery.
• Supports training of students and participates in equipment evaluations.

Skills

Surgical technique

Communication

Organization/time management

Education

High School or equivalent

CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technician Program

Job description

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 accordance 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.

Qualifications

• High School or equivalent
• Specialized/technical training Completion of a CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technician Program is required.
• 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.
• Active practice as a Surgical Technician within the six (6) months prior to application
• Organization/time management skills.
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Surgical Technologist - CST Valid Surgical Tech certification (CST) from accreditation organizations CAAHEP or ABHES
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• 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)

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

About Keck Medicine 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.

Keck Medicine of USC is the University of Southern California’s medical enterprise, one of only two university-based medical systems in the Los Angeles area. Keck Medicine combines academic excellence, world-class research and state-of-the-art facilities to provide highly specialized care for some of the most acute patients in the country. Our internationally renowned physicians and scientists provide world-class patient care at Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, USC Arcadia Hospital and more than 100 unique clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Tulare and Ventura counties.

Keck Medical Center of USC, which includes Keck Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, is among the top 50 hospitals in the country in 8 specialties, as well as the top three hospitals in metro Los Angeles and top 10 hospitals in California, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best Hospitals rankings.

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

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.