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Surgical Instrument Coordinator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Instrument Coordinator

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$19.98 - $28.54/hr

Summary: Coordinates the instrumentation needs of the OR, ensuring instruments are properly ... Surgical Support Services Work Type: Full Time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00 Salary Range: $19.98 ...

Instrument Coordinator

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$19.98 - $28.54/hr

Summary: Coordinates the instrumentation needs of the OR, ensuring instruments are properly ... Surgical Support Services Work Type: Full Time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00 Salary Range: $19.98 ...

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Surgical Instrument Coordinator information

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$14

$25

$44

How much do surgical instrument coordinator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for surgical instrument coordinator in the United States is $25.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.71 and $27.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by surgical instrument coordinators, and how can they be addressed?

Surgical Instrument Coordinators often face challenges such as managing inventory accuracy, ensuring timely sterilization, and coordinating with surgical teams to meet tight schedules. Balancing urgent requests while maintaining strict adherence to infection control protocols can be demanding. To address these issues, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication with both the sterile processing department and operating room staff are essential. Implementing tracking systems and collaborating closely with team members helps streamline workflows and reduce errors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a surgical instrument coordinator?

To excel as a Surgical Instrument Coordinator, you need detailed knowledge of surgical instruments, inventory management, and sterilization procedures, often supported by a high school diploma and certification in sterile processing. Proficiency with surgical tracking software, inventory control systems, and sterilization equipment is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are critical soft skills for managing instrument sets and collaborating with surgical teams. These competencies ensure that surgical procedures run smoothly, reduce infection risks, and support patient safety in a high-stakes environment.

What is a surgical instrument coordinator?

Surgical Instrument Coordinators are healthcare professionals responsible for managing, organizing, and tracking surgical instruments and equipment within hospitals or surgical centers. Their main duties include ensuring that all surgical tools are properly sterilized, assembled, and available for procedures. They also handle inventory management, troubleshoot missing or damaged instruments, and collaborate with surgical teams to meet procedural needs. This role is critical for maintaining surgical safety and efficiency.

What is the difference between Surgical Instrument Coordinator vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectSurgical Instrument CoordinatorSurgical Technologist
CredentialsCertification often preferred (e.g., Certified Instrument Specialist)Certification typically required (e.g., CST, Certified Surgical Technologist)
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical centers, sterile processing unitsOperating rooms, surgical departments, clinics
Employer & IndustryHealthcare facilities, surgical supply companiesHospitals, outpatient surgical centers
Job FocusManaging surgical instruments, ensuring sterilization, inventory controlAssisting during surgeries, preparing sterile fields, passing instruments

While both roles are vital in surgical settings, the Surgical Instrument Coordinator primarily manages instruments and sterilization processes, whereas the Surgical Technologist actively assists during surgeries. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

More about Surgical Instrument Coordinator jobs
What cities are hiring for Surgical Instrument Coordinator jobs? Cities with the most Surgical Instrument Coordinator job openings:
What states have the most Surgical Instrument Coordinator jobs? States with the most job openings for Surgical Instrument Coordinator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Surgical Instrument Coordinator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 3% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,022 per year, or $25.5 per hour.

OR Surgical Instrument Coord

RWJBarnabas Health

Belleville, NJ

$24.34 - $30.11/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


RWJBarnabas Health rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 331 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

235th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Job Title: OR Surgical Instrument Coord

Location: Clara Maass Medical Center

Department Name: Central Sterile Supply

Req #: 0000258800

Status: Hourly

Shift: Evening

Pay Range: $24.34 - $30.11 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

OR Surgical Instrument Coordinator – RWJBarnabas Health
At Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, OR Surgical Instrument Coordinators become part of a purpose-driven environment where teamwork, compassion, and exceptional patient care create meaningful experiences every day. This OR Surgical Instrument Coordinator role offers opportunities for growth, supportive collaboration, and a culture committed to quality, safety, and continuous improvement. As an OR Surgical Instrument Coordinator, you will play an essential role in supporting surgical teams, enhancing patient care, and creating a safe environment for individuals across our organization. Joining our team means joining a community where every team member is encouraged to grow, contribute, and make a lasting impact.
 

A typical day for an OR Surgical Instrument Coordinator may include:

  • Assisting the Operating Room (OR), Same Day Surgery (SDS), and other departments by processing, organizing, and maintaining critical supplies and equipment
     
  • Identifying, assembling, packaging, wrapping, and sterilizing reusable instruments and specialized technique trays with 99% accuracy
     
  • Operating, testing, and maintaining mechanical equipment, including sterilizers, washers, and sonic cleaners, while promptly reporting malfunctions
     
  • Maintaining accurate documentation for all cleaning, sterilization, high-level disinfection processes, and required quality assurance testing
     
  • Working cooperatively with vendors to maintain proper recording of all loaner trays entering and exiting the OR and Sterile Processing Department (SPD)
     
  • Communicating proactively with OR staff, physicians, and nursing personnel to anticipate surgical instrumentation needs and ensure seamless procedure preparation
     
  • Supporting department workflow by assisting with the maintenance and updates of surgical preference cards and picking OR/SDS surgical case carts
     
  • Managing telephone information requests and urgent "Stat" requests with exceptional courtesy, precision, and respect for patient confidentiality
     
  • Contributing to a safe, infection-controlled environment by strictly adhering to cross-contamination protocols, safety precautions, and department cleanliness standards
     

This role might be for you if:

  • Clear, professional communication defines how you collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, and the surgical team
     
  • You enjoy focusing on high-precision tasks and detailed infection control standards in a fast-paced hospital environment
  • Attention to detail and strict quality assurance help you accurately maintain, inspect, and track surgical inventory
     
  • Providing exceptional customer service and managing urgent surgical requests with a positive attitude are important to you
     
  • Adaptability allows you to manage changing priorities, pick case carts, and multi-task while maintaining absolute professionalism
     
  • Continuous learning and mastering complex sterilization methodologies, medical terminology, and instrument functions motivate you
     
  • Collaborative teamwork is something you value and actively contribute to every day

To be considered for this OR Surgical Instrument Coordinator opportunity, you are passionate about delivering vigilant patient care while creating a positive impact for every individual we serve.
• This full-time position offers an evening shift schedule from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (37.5 hours per week), supporting critical surgical operations.
• You hold a High School Diploma (or equivalent) and a current Sterile Processing certification required upon hire.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience processing surgical instruments, deep knowledge of steam/gas plasma sterilization, and strong familiarity with OR instrumentation and infection control concepts are preferred.


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About RWJBarnabas Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest integrated health care delivery system, providing treatment and services to more than three million patients each year. Throughout RWJBarnabas Health, our dedicated physicians, nurses, and health professionals are committed to providing the highest quality of patient care and health education to the community and region. We aim to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey - whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Orange, NJ, US

Year founded

2015