Entry Level Surgical Tech Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UnityPoint-St Luke's Hospital
Full-Time Days
M-F 7am-3:30pm plus call

The Surgical Technologist II-Certified is responsible for performing surgical technologist duties, leveraging high proficiency in surgical techniques, and exercising critical thinking to support complex procedures. The role guides entry level Surgical Technologists, maintains adherence to safety and infection control protocols, and actively contributes to the development of departmental policies and protocols. The role also assists with onboarding new surgeons, supports the trialing of new equipment and instruments, and helps manage surgical inventory to align with surgeon preferences.

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:   

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.  

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Clinical Excellence

• Ensures a safe, efficient and surgical environment by assembling and verifying the functionality of necessary instruments, equipment, and supplies according to the surgeon's preference cards.
• Exercises critical thinking in complex surgeries and performs technologist duties with high proficiency in emergency situations.
• Prepares patient for surgery by scrubbing, draping, and positioning, and participates in postoperative care by transferring patients to the recovery room, applying dressings, and ensuring proper
documentation.
• Applies and maintains sterile techniques throughout the procedure, ensuring aseptic conditions and the integrity of the environment.

• Performs required surgical counts in accordance with the organization’s policy, and handles specimens appropriately for proper preparation, labelling, and transport to the lab.
• Supports the surgeon by holding retractors, passing instruments, applying suction, and cutting sutures as directed.
• Serves as a second circulator under the direction of the Registered Nurse (RN) circulator.

Departmental Support
• Assists in cleaning and restocking of operating room between cases and procedures, ensuring all instruments, cleaning supplies, and equipment are ready for the next procedure.
• Enforces infection control measures and safety protocols while observing and reporting any safety concerns promptly.
• Adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Association for the
Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) guidelines, maintaining safety during each procedure.
• Participates in departmental meetings and contributes to the development and implementation of department policies and procedures.
• Supports trialing and onboarding of new equipment and instruments, maintaining communication with surgeons regarding updates and additions.
• Assists in managing the inventory of surgical instruments and supplies, ensuring alignment with surgeon preference cards.

Leadership

• Acts as a stand-in for the Surgical Tech Lead and as a preceptor, offering guidance on scrub duties to junior staff, students, surgical technologists, and Registered Nurses (RNs).
• Assists with onboarding and orientation of new surgeons, ensuring their equipment and instrumentation needs are met.
Professional Development
• Stays updated on leading industry practices in own work field by participating in continuous learning and development.
• Participates in quality improvement projects to support evidencebased practices in the operating room.

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.  Graduate from an accredited education program for Surgical Technology, OR graduate from an appropriate training program in the US Armed Forces OR
  Medical Certification OR completion of accredited LPN program.
  Experience:  1 year previous surgical technologist or equivalent experience. 
• License/Certifications:  BCLS required.  CST, CST-NCCT, LPNIA, LPNIL, LPNWI required within 1 year of hire.  IA Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.  IA Adult Dependent Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:  Surgical procedures and techniques.  Patient care.  Instrumentation and equipment management.  Attention to detail.  Safety protocols.  Critical thinking skills. Effective communication.  Team collaboration.