OR Certified Surgical Technologist
Berkeley, California
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Ashby Campus

Job Opportunity: Certified OR Tech / Surgical Tech (CST)

Location: Berkeley, California
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Schedule

• 4 shifts per week, 10 hours each (Monday–Friday)
• Variable start times between 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Weekend shifts as needed, assigned on a rotating basis
• On-call shifts required

Job Summary

• Work under the supervision of a registered nurse as part of the perioperative team
• Perform direct and indirect perioperative tasks for surgical and endoscopic procedures
• Primary role as scrub person during surgeries
• Provide perioperative care for adolescent to late adulthood patients
• Flexible schedule as assigned

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2 years of recent acute care hospital experience as a surgical technologist
• Must be proficient in Ophthalmology (including Cataract and Vitrectomy procedures)
• Experience required in Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Robotics, and Ophthalmology
• Prior travel experience required
• Ability to scrub major procedures competently in at least three surgical specialties preferred
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment
• Excellent communication skills

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification required
• Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) preferred

Key Job Duties

Preoperative

• Assist in selecting supplies and equipment for surgical/endoscopic procedures
• Prepare the OR using physician preference lists
• Set up operating room bed and specialty tables
• Secure instruments, supplies, and equipment
• Open sterile packages using sterile technique

Intraoperative

• Provide scrub services for minor and major surgical procedures
• Assist surgeon with casts, splints, retractors, camera holding, sponging, suctioning, electrocautery, sutures, staples, drains, and dressings
• Assist circulating nurse during major procedures
• Set up specialized surgical equipment under RN supervision
• Handle specimens and communicate accurately for documentation

Postoperative

• Assist in transferring patients to postoperative beds/gurneys
• Perform OR sanitation and clean anesthesia machines
• Operate ultrasonic washer, autoclave, and sterilization units

Technical Subject Matter Expert

• Serve as SME for at least one surgical service
• Maintain physician preference lists and specialty instruments/supplies
• Precept personnel rotating through specialty services

Miscellaneous

• Report defective or unsafe equipment/materials
• Maintain clear corridors and restock supplies
• Assist with medication handling on sterile field under RN supervision
• Perform other OR duties as requested
• Function in support technician role as needed

Professional Expectations

• Participate in continuing education and in-services
• Attend unit staff meetings
• Demonstrate commitment to unit goals and customer service
• Adhere to hospital policies, code of conduct, and confidentiality standards
• Promote patient and staff safety
• Identify opportunities to improve work processes and quality of care

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Diploma from an accredited surgical technology program or documented on-the-job training preferred

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year background check including SSN trace, county searches, sex offender, education verification, and FACIS Level 3 screening
• Employment application with full 7 years of work history, no gaps
• Negative 9-panel drug screen within 6 months (excluding marijuana due to CA law)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask test within 1 year, renewed annually
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis B series or declination
  • Varicella
  • Seasonal flu vaccination during flu season (Nov-Apr) or approved declination
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 90 days, renewed annually
• Respiratory safety clearance prior to start, renewed annually
• Completion of facility-specific documents including code of conduct, confidentiality agreements, and orientation materials

Additional Notes

• Candidate must review and sign all required facility-specific documents prior to start
• Must comply with all Joint Commission and National Patient Safety goals
• Must be able to work flexible shifts including weekends and on-call
• Prior travel experience is mandatory for this role

Requirements / Qualifications

• Certified Surgical Technologist with a minimum of 2 years of experience
• Surgical technologist experience within the last year
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification
• High school diploma or equivalent education/experience
• Experience working in an acute care setting