Surgical Technologist, Int.

UPMC St. Margaret is currently hiring a Surgical Technologist to join our Harmar Outpatient Surgery Center located in Harmarville. The Surgical Technologist prepares and maintains a sterile field in accordance with UPMC policy, AORN standards, and infection prevention guidelines. This role performs all scrub duties, ensuring instruments and supplies are sterile and readily available, and anticipates the needs of the surgical team during orthopedic and ophthalmologic procedures. Responsibilities include assisting intraoperatively by passing instruments, maintaining aseptic technique, and completing accurate surgical counts in collaboration with the circulating nurse. The Surgical Technologist also supports efficient OR operations through room turnover, equipment inspection, and coordination with Sterile Processing to ensure instrument readiness. Adherence to safety protocols and participation in quality and infection prevention initiatives are essential.

This position offers a Monday through Friday schedule with the option of 8- or 10-hour shifts, with start time of 6:30am, ending at either 3:00pm or 5:00pm. There are no on-call, weekend, or holiday requirements, providing excellent work-life balance. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of Operating Room or Surgical Technologist experience and hold current certification. If you are an experienced Surgical Technologist seeking a consistent schedule in a supportive environment, this is a great opportunity to grow your career.

This position is posted as a Surgical Technologist, Int which is a valued step in UPMC's Career Ladder. The final candidate will be placed in the appropriate title and salary based on education and experience. 

Purpose:
Under the general supervision of a registered nurse, performs advanced tasks on a regular basis in an Operating Room that assist the surgical team. Works on complex surgical procedures within at least 2 surgical specialties. Arrange sterile setup for surgical procedures; pass instruments, sponge and suture to surgeons and surgical assistants; prepare sterile supplies; assist in cleanup of the operating room; check placement and operation of equipment; and check and restock operating room. During surgical procedures may be responsible for special trays, graft materials, and record patient data.

Responsibilities:
 

• After surgery, may help transfer patients to the recovery room. Clean and restock the operating room.
• Serves as a resource to other staff members; precepts students and new employees.
• Assist in the preparation, care for, and disposal of specimens taken for laboratory analysis and helps apply dressings.
• Participates in committees and inter-disciplinary teams.
• Assist the surgical team with putting on sterile gowns and gloves.
• Before an operation, help to prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. Assemble both sterile and non-sterile equipment. Adjust and check equipment to ensure it is working properly.
• Collaborates with Clinician to disseminate new knowledge.
• Ensure all medications are labeled and handed to surgeon according to established policies and procedures.
• Ensure clean, safe environment through continued alertness to safety and explosive hazards and aseptic technique.
• Prepare patients for surgery by wash, shave, and ensure aseptic incision sites. May transport patients to the operating room, help position them on the operating table, and cover them with sterile surgical drapes.
• During surgery, efficiently pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgeon assistants. Hold retractors or instruments, cut sutures, sponge or suction the operative site and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

• PA legislature House Bill 81 enacted 10/29/2020 and became effective 12/27/2020.2 years of current surgical technician experience that demonstrates advanced knowledge of at least 2 surgical specialties. 
• Surgical specialties include but not limited to: general, orthopedic, vascular, plastic and reconstructive, obstetrics and gynecology, thoracic, ophthalmic, neurosurgery, organ procurement and endoscopic surgical settings. 
• Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medication to the nurse.
• In addition to those 2 years of prior experience  
  • Must have completed program sponsored by nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation and maintains certification or 
  • Has completed appropriate military training program or Maintains certification from accredited program or Was employed as a surg tech in a health care facility on or before effective date of the act (12/27/2020) or 
  • Employed as a surg tech at another health care facility two years before effective date (12/27/2020). 

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Certification for Surgical Technologist. CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hireCertification Details - Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Technologist Surgery Certified (TSC) within 6 months of program completion: Note: Staff employed to practice surgical technology by the health care facility on or before the effective date of the law (12/27/2020) or who were employed as a surg tech at another health care facility two years before effective date of the law are grandfathered and therefore not required to have certification. New graduates of a program sponsored by nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation can work for six months prior to certification, but must be certified within six months of program completion. Exception: A health care facility may employ individuals who do not meet the certification requirements if after a diligent and thorough effort has been made they are unable to employ a sufficient number of qualified surg techs who meet the requirements (i.e. certification) and a written record of efforts is made and retained at the health care facility. (1. Recruitment efforts are documented and can be supplied for this record. 2. The supply of certified or eligible to be certified surg techs does not meet the needs of the organization.).

 

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Certified Surgical Technologists (CST) OR Tech in Surgery-Certified (TSC)
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran