Operating Room Surgical Technologist
Vail, Colorado
Vail Valley Medical Center

Surgical Technologist - Contract

Location: Vail, Colorado
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Rotating (3 shifts of 12 hours each)
Hours per Week: 32

Job Summary

Assist during surgical procedures by maintaining a 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

• Maintain expertise in sterile and aseptic techniques, human anatomy, surgical procedures, and use of surgical tools and technologies.
• Follow AORN standards for sterile processing and surgical support.
• Inspect and verify packaging integrity, sterile indicators, and expiration dates of surgical items.
• Ensure operating room safety and proper functioning of equipment during procedures.
• Monitor the sterile field for contamination and initiate corrective actions as needed under supervision.
• Assist with patient transports, room turnovers, and room preparation.
• Participate fully in perioperative team communication, including Time Out Process, Briefings, and Debriefings.
• Clean and prepare instruments for terminal sterilization.
• Model professional behavior and maintain currency in new technologies and procedures.
• Adhere to HIPAA compliance and Just Culture principles.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Surgical Technologist license in Colorado
• Minimum of 1 year of Surgical Technologist experience, including experience within the last year
• Successful completion of an educational program focused on training individuals to become a Certified Surgical Technologist
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Frequent standing (50%), walking (20%), sitting (5%), squatting (5%), bending (5%), twisting (5%), and lifting (10%).
• Manual lifting of up to 35 lbs occasionally, up to 10 lbs frequently.
• Exposure to potential hazards such as radiation, toxic chemicals, biological hazards, heat, noise, dust, and stress.
• Must be able to work under stress and meet deadlines independently or as part of a team.

Patient Population

• 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 perform essential physical and cognitive functions required for the role.