Surgical Technologist Jobs in Chicago, IL

About The Position

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist program.
• Minimum of 1–3 years of Neuro Operating Room experience.
• Interpersonal skills to facilitate effective communication.
• Knowledge and ability to perform surgical technologist duties.
• Analytical skills to interpret and communicate information relevant to direct patient care to the RN and physician.
• Ability to function as a surgical team member and carry out instructions from surgeons and the Circulating RN with speed, accuracy, and concentration.
• Ability to prioritize daily activities.
• Ability to recognize and intervene in life-threatening situations.
• Ability to maintain composure under stressful circumstances.
• Higher-level critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and organizational awareness.
• Professionalism and courtesy when interacting with coworkers, physicians, visitors, and patients.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and advanced knowledge and expertise in the scrub role for complex surgical procedures.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with peers in decisions related to surgical patient care.
• Ability to anticipate the perioperative needs of patients and surgeons.
• Ability to perform repetitive and physically demanding tasks.
• Ability to wear lead aprons weighing approximately 10–25 pounds for prolonged periods.
• Ability to fulfill on-call responsibilities and respond to emergencies.
• Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification required; certification may be obtained within 12 months of hire, subject to confirmation of the approved requirement.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Must be based in the greater Chicagoland area.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform the surgical scrub role in the operative field across services, including adult and pediatric cases.
• Apply knowledge of emergencies, trauma situations, and operating room surgical procedures.
• Use proper aseptic technique and infection control practices when handling blood and body fluids.
• Correctly operate sterilizers and high-level disinfectors, document their use, and maintain required competencies.
• Prepare cases and carts and ensure accurate room setups for instruments and trays in coordination with the Specialty Manager, Charge Nurse, and Central Sterile Processing.
• Set up instruments, supplies, and equipment according to surgeon preference cards, policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Operate and troubleshoot video systems and collaborate with relevant teams and vendors to maintain them.
• Use equipment, instruments, and supplies appropriately and cost-effectively based on assessed needs, standards of care, and surgeon preferences.
• Perform and understand surgical counts; maintain aseptic technique; handle and label specimens and medications appropriately; and care for electrosurgical active electrodes and implants.
• Collaborate with Perioperative Educators and Managers to develop, organize, and deliver continuing education for operating room technologists and Central Sterile Processing staff.
• Assist in patient care by preparing rooms, opening packs and supplies, positioning patients, monitoring the sterile field, performing counts, handling specimens, assisting with emergencies, and ensuring quality measures are met.
• Work with the Circulating RN, Specialty Manager, and Charge Nurse to determine patient and surgeon needs and adjust instrumentation and supplies.
• Inventory and restock supplies in operating room suites and specialty service carts.
• Review and update preference cards with the specialty team.
• Liaise with Central Sterile Processing to maintain specialty instrumentation needed for quality patient care.
• Communicate pertinent patient or unit information to the oncoming shift.
• Serve as a resource to patients, visitors, physicians, and other staff.
• Provide accurate, timely patient status and operating room schedule information to the Scheduling Board Manager, Anesthesia Coordinator, Charge Nurse, and Perioperative Management team.
• Demonstrate leadership in support of organizational goals for safety, quality, and patient experience.
• Fulfill on-call responsibilities and respond to emergencies.