Operating Room Surgical Technologist
Vail, Colorado
Vail Valley Surgery Center

Surgical Technologist - Contract

Location: Vail, Colorado
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Days (3 shifts of 12 hours each, total 36 hours/week)

Job Summary

Assist during surgical procedures by maintaining the sterile surgical field and providing instrumentation to the surgical team. Work under the direction of a Registered Nurse and participate in unit activities to ensure high-quality patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply sterile and aseptic techniques with knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and relevant tools/technologies.
• Maintain and inspect surgical items for proper packaging, moisture, seal integrity, sterile indicators, and expiration dates.
• Ensure a safe operating room environment and proper functioning of equipment to maximize patient safety.
• Monitor the sterile field for contamination risks and initiate corrective actions as needed under supervision.
• Work towards or maintain competency with Tier 1 surgical cases.
• Communicate effectively with the perioperative team, fully participating in Time Out processes including briefings and debriefings.
• Assist with patient transports, room turnovers, and room preparation.
• Maintain professional behavior and stay current with new technologies, procedures, instrumentation, and equipment.
• Clean and prepare instruments for terminal sterilization.
• Model principles of a Just Culture and comply with HIPAA regulations.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Surgical Technologist license in Colorado
• Minimum of 1 year of Surgical Technologist experience, including experience within the last year
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association

Physical Demands

• Stand approximately 50% of the time, walk 20%, sit 5%, squat 5%, bend 5%, twist 5%, lift 10%.
• Frequently lift up to 10 lbs; occasionally lift up to 20, 35, and 50 lbs.
• Exposure to potential hazards such as radiation, toxic chemicals, biological hazards, heat, noise, dust, and stress.

Patient Populations Served

• Neonatal/Infant (0-11 months)
• Pediatrics (1-12 years)
• Adolescents (13-17 years)
• Young Adults/Adults (18-64 years)
• Middle-aged Adults (65-79 years)
• Geriatric (80+ years)

Additional Information

• Must demonstrate punctuality and reliability to start shifts on time.
• Ability to work independently and under stress while meeting deadlines.
• Position involves direct patient care and requires physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities to perform job functions effectively.