Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) - Main OR
Charleston, South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina - University Hospital

Certified OR Tech / Surgical Tech (CST)

Overview

• Location: Charleston, South Carolina
• Specialty: Surgical Services
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Local Candidates: Accepted case by case, within a 60-mile radius

Schedule and Assignment

• Shift: Day, 3x12-hour shifts (6:30 AM to 7:00 PM), 36 hours per week
• Unit: Main Operating Room
• On-Call: Yes, specific to Ophthalmology, with 4 to 6 call shifts per 4-week schedule period
• Float: Yes, the traveler may need to float within scope and between like units or sister facilities to meet facility needs
• Block Schedule: Can be requested, subject to manager approval and unit needs
• Guaranteed Hours: The facility may call off 1 shift per 2 weeks. Called-off hours can be broken down to add up to 1 shift.
• RTO: All requested time off must be included at time of submission. Approval depends on facility needs.
• Hurricane Season: During hurricane season (June through November), all employees and contractors may be assigned to emergency response teams.

Requirements

• Certified Surgical Technologist: Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Certified Surgical Technologist, with experience within the last year
• Certification: NBSTSA (NCCT is not accepted)
• BLS: Basic Life Support certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• Ophthalmology Experience: Experience working with Ophthalmology patients, including retinal detachments, vitrectomy, cataract removal, and eye trauma
• Level 1 Trauma Experience: Experience working with Level 1 trauma patients
• Radiation Badge: Required, must be provided by the agency
• Education Verification: Required. A copy of the diploma or transcript showing area of study and degree is highly preferred.
• Licensure: Primary source verification of active, unencumbered certification, with no pending action
• Competency Exams: Competency exam required. Medication/pharmacology competency exam required as applicable.
• Color Blind Testing: Required before start

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience highly preferred: Neuro (spine and craniotomy), ENT (flaps), and Robotics (da Vinci Xi) cases
• First-time travelers: Accepted
• COVID vaccination: Not required, but highly preferred

Case Exposure

• Common cases: Ortho (total joints, spine, trauma), Neuro (craniotomy, spine), ENT (flaps), Robotics, Transplants/Procurements, Trauma/Burns, GU/GYN
• The traveler may be expected to staff the full variety of cases the Main OR supports.

Health and Compliance

• Physical Exam: Initial exam, updated annually
• Tdap: Within 10 years of start, or a completed declination form
• TB: T-SPOT or Q-Gold within 90 days of start, with an annual TB questionnaire
• Drug Screen: 10-panel drug screen within 90 days of start, no instant tests
• MMR and Varicella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines. Low titer requires 2 boosters 28 days apart.
• Hepatitis B: Titer, vaccine series, or declination form
• Flu Vaccine: Required during flu season (September 1 to March 31), or a medical/religious exemption. Pharmacy receipts are not accepted.
• Fit Test: Within 90 days before start, renewed annually. N95 in small or regular size only. PAPRs are not available; travelers must provide their own.

Background and Documentation

• Background Check: Annual, covering all locations lived or worked in the past 7 years
• Exclusion Screening: EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG within 30 days of start, and updated with each renewal or extension
• Work History: Verification of the last 3 clinical employers
• References: 2 clinical references (hospital evaluation also accepted)
• Employment Application: Must list all PTO, contract assignments, agency names, and have no unaccounted gaps
• Identification: Copy of driver's license or state ID, and Social Security card
• Work Eligibility: E-Verify attestation confirming work eligibility and a completed I-9
• Badge Photo: Passport-style, frontal, no hats or sunglasses, due by Wednesday before a Monday start
• Orientation Modules: About 2 hours, must be completed before orientation on a computer (not a phone), or the traveler will be sent home

Facility Information

• Facility Type: Level I trauma center, teaching facility, Magnet-designated hospital
• Beds: 820 staffed beds
• Main OR: 21 OR suites covering trauma, transplant, ortho, neuro, ENT, GU/GYN, and robotics
• Nursing Team: 75% RNs and 25% CSTs. RNs are trained to scrub and circulate.
• Scrubs: Provided
• Parking: Permit required from the parking office. A hang tag allows use of the garage, and parking elsewhere may incur additional fees.