Certified Surgical Technologist

Winona Health • Winona, MN

9d

About The Position

The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) provides services in the Surgery Department under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The CST participates in patient care and collaborates with the RN to deliver safe, high-quality care. The role involves understanding the surgical environment and patient care process, addressing patients’ and families’ physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and educational needs, collaborating with the RN to modify care plans, and reporting changes in patient condition to the RN.

The position is 0.80–0.90 FTE, or 64–72 hours per pay period. The schedule is days, with hours between 6:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., and includes a late-stay requirement and call rotations for weekends and holidays. A $15,000 sign-on bonus is offered. Starting pay is between $30.36 and $37.95, based on experience.

The CST prepares for, assists with, and supports surgical procedures, including handling instruments and supplies, maintaining the sterile field, supporting patient positioning and safety, and assisting with room preparation and cleanup. The CST works closely with surgeons and the RN, follows applicable perioperative practices and organizational policies, and participates in department meetings and required education.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist program.
• Certified as a Surgical Technologist by the National Board of Surgical Technology and/or the Association of Surgical Technologists.
• BLS certification.
• Able to verbalize role in codes.
• Basic computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and a patient information database such as Cerner.

Responsibilities

• Keep current on patient care practices, medications, and legal issues.
• Follow best-practice recommendations, including AORN and AST perioperative guidelines, and organization-wide policies and procedures.
• Work closely with surgeons and recognize their preferences and preference-card details.
• Coordinate with the RN to assemble instruments, supplies, and equipment for surgical procedures; check that equipment functions properly and report, remove, label, and document defective equipment for repair.
• Use safe-site surgery practices, participate in time-outs, and stop the line when patient-care safety concerns arise.
• Perform sponge, needle, and instrument counts with the RN according to policy and procedure.
• Consult with the RN to revise surgeon preference cards.
• Set up and support cases before, during, and after surgery, including scrubbing, gowning, gloving, instrumentation, sutures, assisting with gowning and draping, passing instruments, removing drapes and contaminated instruments, transporting instruments for decontamination, and properly disposing of sharps, trash, and linen.
• Remain vigilant about patient safety and follow infection-control and prevention procedures.
• Follow department policies, procedures, and standard work, and assist with updating standard work as needed.
• Understand the procedure, anticipate the surgeon’s needs, and maintain the sterile field.
• Clean and prepare instruments for terminal sterilization; assist with terminal room cleaning and prepare the room for the next patient.
• Participate in surgical-site and patient verification during the time-out procedure.
• Secure tubing, cords, and other sterile accessories.
• Measure and pass medications, hemostatic agents, and irrigation solutions used during procedures.
• Hold retractors or instruments, sponge or suction the operative site, apply electrocautery to clamps on bleeders, and cut suture material as directed by the surgeon.
• Coordinate the camera or change robotic arms and instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
• Prepare and pass off specimens as appropriate.
• Review the patient’s chart, identify the patient, verify the planned surgery against consent forms, and bring the patient to the assigned operating room.
• Assist with transferring and positioning the patient, using appropriate equipment and anatomical principles to prevent injury.
• Monitor patient comfort and provide verbal and tactile reassurance.
• Assist with applying tourniquets and monitor them before the procedure.
• Anticipate additional supplies needed during procedures.
• Attend focus board and mandatory staff meetings and complete Winona Health educational requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• $15,000 sign-on bonus.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as mental health support and wellness incentives.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage, with additional options including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal assistance, and identity protection plans.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions after eligibility requirements are met.
• Flexible scheduling, paid time off, and earned sick time.
• Paid training, tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and sponsored seminars.
• Employee discounts with local businesses, including the YMCA and cell phone providers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree