Surgery Buyer / Surgical Technologist

Surgery Partners•Altoona, WI

11h•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgery Buyer / Surgical Technologist purchases and manages surgical supplies, instruments, implants, and equipment while supporting safe and effective surgical procedures. The role helps ensure supply availability, cost-effectiveness, and case readiness while preparing instrumentation and equipment, maintaining a safe operating room environment, and assisting the surgical team under the surgeon’s supervision. It collaborates with perioperative staff, vendors, and supply chain personnel to support quality patient care, patient safety, and compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements. The position is based at River Prairie Surgery Center, an ambulatory surgery center in Altoona, Wisconsin, owned by OakLeaf Surgical Hospital. The center provides outpatient procedures including ophthalmology and GI. The role is allocated as 0.80 FTE (32 hours per week): 0.6 FTE Surgery Buyer and 0.2 FTE Surgical Technologist.

Requirements

Demonstrate eligibility for employment in the United States.
Degree from an accredited Surgical Technologist program.
BLS certification required upon hire.
Pallet jack certification within one month of hire.
Previous experience in healthcare supply chain or as a surgical technologist.
Medical terminology knowledge.
Knowledge of electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
Knowledge of quality assurance and accreditation standards.
Understanding of HIPAA regulations, patient confidentiality laws, and patient rights.
Effective verbal and written English communication.
Quality-focused work, with attention to detail and accuracy.
Advanced computer proficiency.
General knowledge of receiving and inventory processes.
Ability to carry out customer service standards.
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage workload according to urgency and importance.
Willingness to stay current with job-specific trends, policies, and technologies and to continuously learn and improve.
Successfully demonstrate organization-wide performance review competencies.
Possess a cell phone that interfaces with the organization’s secure messaging system.

Nice To Haves

Surgical Technologist certification.
Previous inventory purchasing experience.

Responsibilities

Source, order, and replenish surgical supplies, instruments, and implants based on case schedules, physician preferences, and usage patterns.
Ensure timely delivery of items needed for scheduled and emergent surgical procedures.
Liaise with vendors to obtain quotes, confirm product availability, and manage back-orders or substitutions.
Use group purchasing contracts and organizational agreements to support cost-effective procurement.
Monitor implant and surgical-supply inventory in designated storage areas and case carts, rotate stock, and minimize expired items.
Maintain accurate inventory data using the organization’s ERP or inventory management system.
Work with OR schedulers and surgical staff to confirm equipment and item availability for upcoming procedures.
Resolve supply issues that could affect surgery schedules or patient care.
Maintain records of purchase orders, receipts, usage, and returns in accordance with policies and audit standards.
Track high-cost items, consignment inventory, and usage for coding, billing, and reimbursement purposes.
Coordinate with physicians and vendor representatives to ensure appropriate materials and services are available for surgical cases.
Ensure purchased items meet regulatory, infection-control, and quality standards.
Comply with HIPAA, The Joint Commission, and internal protocols related to surgical inventory.
Advocate for patients’ rights, preferences, and needs; provide safe, compassionate, patient-centered care while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct.
Verify the availability and functionality of supplies, instruments, and equipment; prepare the operating room, sterile field, instruments, medications, and equipment for procedures.
Assist the surgeon during procedures by maintaining sterile technique, passing instruments, handling equipment, anticipating procedural needs, and performing tasks within scope of practice.
Initiate the pre-procedural time-out under the Universal Protocol; perform surgical counts, handle and label specimens properly, and maintain procedural documentation with the circulator.
Operate specialized equipment, including the retinal laser, as directed by the physician, while maintaining safety standards and annual competency.
Follow infection-prevention and safety protocols; prepare instruments for terminal sterilization and assist with operating-room cleaning, turnover, and preparation for subsequent procedures.
Promptly report and document unusual events, safety concerns, and incidents according to organizational policies and procedures.
Use the organization’s secure messaging platform according to departmental protocols, including timely receipt of and responses to communications.
Perform other duties as assigned.