Lead Surgical Technologist - Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic

Billings Clinic•Billings, MT

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Surgical Technologist provides advanced technical expertise and specialty support for cardiac, vascular, and thoracic procedures. The role demonstrates advanced competency scrubbing and assisting across the service line, may rotate to other specialties when competent, and serves as the primary technical resource for the service line. The Lead is accountable for room readiness, case preparation, and coordination of instrumentation, supplies, implants, and equipment, and collaborates with surgeons, anesthesia, perfusion, nursing, sterile processing, imaging, and vendor partners to support safe and efficient care. The position supports operating-room staffing and call coverage, urgent and emergent procedures, staff orientation and competency development, practice standardization, and process improvement. It maintains knowledge of applicable AST, AORN, and AAMI standards and performs in accordance with Association of Surgical Technologists standards of care. The role requires independent work, rapid prioritization of changing case needs, and support for emergency response. This is a full-time, non-exempt position in Surgical Services at Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana. The posted schedule includes evening, night, and weekend shifts, with 80 hours every two weeks. Starting wage is $33.66–$42.07, DOE.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program or equivalent.
At least five years of surgical technologist experience.
Certification for Surgical Technology at hire.
Maintain any required license or certification in good standing.
Demonstrated knowledge and technical skills to support safe, efficient surgical care and assigned clinical responsibilities.
Knowledge of applicable AST, AORN, and AAMI standards.
Ability to work independently and prioritize rapidly changing case needs.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of cardiac, vascular, and/or thoracic operating-room experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in complex and emergent service-line procedures.
Certification by the Liaison Council for the Surgical Technologist (LCC-ST), preferred.
Equivalent combination of education and experience relating to the listed tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Responsibilities

Coordinate daily staffing assignments and prepare monthly schedules to ensure appropriate Operating Room staffing and call coverage.
Participate in assigned call responsibilities and support urgent and emergent surgical service needs.
Provide advanced clinical and technical support for cardiac, vascular, and thoracic procedures, and maintain competency to support other assigned specialties.
Prepare for procedures by reviewing and updating surgeon preference cards and coordinating cases, instrumentation, supplies, implants, and equipment.
Set up and break down cases, streamline instrument trays and dry goods, stock carts, complete case carts, and use resources cost-effectively.
Establish, maintain, and monitor the sterile field; perform sterile draping; follow aseptic technique, infection prevention, personal protective equipment, and patient safety requirements.
Clean and prepare instruments in the Operating Room for reprocessing and sterilization according to established standards.
Collaborate with the surgical team to implement patient care plans and anticipate team needs before, during, and after procedures.
Identify and handle specimens correctly, perform and verify instrument, sharps, and sponge counts, report safety concerns, and protect patient confidentiality.
Operate and troubleshoot surgical-suite equipment and follow radiation safety practices and protective measures.
Lead and facilitate process improvements in case turnover, instrument sets, tray composition, workflow, quality, safety, efficiency, and resource utilization.
Partner with departmental leadership on strategic planning and operational implementation, including development of programs and implementation of procedures and workflows.
Support staff orientation, precepting, teaching, competency validation, and ongoing education in collaboration with perioperative education and team members.
Model professional accountability, effective communication, teamwork, and compliance with clinical, safety, confidentiality, infection prevention, radiation safety, and operational standards.
Maintain service-line equipment knowledge, ensure equipment availability and working order, track repairs, support product evaluation, and participate in capital and new-purchase requests.