Surgical Tech - Operating Room

UNC Health • Hillsborough, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Technologist I works under the supervision of a surgeon and registered nurse to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. The role helps maintain a safe operating room environment, ensures equipment functions properly, and supports conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists apply sterile and aseptic technique alongside knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and related tools and technologies to support invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. The position requires baseline knowledge and ability to perform surgical scrub duties at the assigned entity.

The role is based at UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus, a community hospital with eight operating rooms serving elective surgical programs including joint replacement, spine, ophthalmology, urology, benign gynecology, and general surgery. The schedule is four 10-hour shifts per week, with call and holiday requirements.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology or Nursing Program, a military Surgical Technology training program, or formal education/training may be substituted for individuals with 3+ years of prior experience as a surgical tech.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification.
• 0–3 years of professional experience.
• Successful completion of the service-specific portion of the UNC Health Surgical Technologist competencies.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational and priority-setting skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical duties across operating room specialty service areas, following accepted process standards.
• Maintain, assemble, handle, and sterilize specialty instruments appropriately.
• Follow aseptic technique, identify contamination or breaks in technique, and take corrective action.
• Perform surgical counts, follow procedures for incorrect counts, and report discrepancies.
• Label drugs and solutions and monitor quantities used.
• Assist with the identification, preparation, handling, and labeling of surgical specimens.
• Participate in planning and setting up instruments, supplies, and surgical drapes to ensure accessibility during procedures.
• Assist the surgeon using an understanding of patient anatomy and abnormalities relevant to the procedure.
• Assist with case selection and planning instrument needs.
• Modify scrubbing procedures when appropriate, communicate changes to the surgical team, respond to surgical emergencies, and follow hospital emergency management plans.
• Inventory, receive, and store supplies under the direction of Surgical Services leadership.
• Identify and report defective instruments, supplies, or equipment, and help restock operating/procedure rooms and sub-sterile areas.
• Assist the registered nurse during the intraoperative implementation phase of nursing practice.
• Operate and troubleshoot complex operating room equipment and other resources.
• Mentor Surgical Technician Trainees and serve as a preceptor as needed.

Benefits

• UNC Health benefits
• Eligibility to continue participating in TSERS or the ORP for employees of another North Carolina agency who currently participate in those plans

What This Job Offers

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