Surgical Technologist (OR)
Plattsburgh, New York
The University of Vermont Health Network Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital

Certified OR Tech / Surgical Tech (CST) - Travel/Contract

Location: Plattsburgh, New York
Specialty: Surgical Services
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Job Summary

• Work in the Operating Room (OR) unit with 8 OR beds/suites on the main campus and 4 ORs at an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC).
• Circulate required; scrub experience preferred.
• Patient population includes all surgeries except cardiac, transplants, neuro, and gastric bypass.
• Age range of patients: 6 months to 100+ years.
• Shift: Day shift, 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM (3 shifts of 12 hours per week, total 36 hours).
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:1.
• Rotation depends on scheduled cases and nurse experience; floating to ASC required.
• On-call required once every 3rd to 4th weekend and 1 night per week.
• Holiday on-call required only once per year if not assigned a holiday shift.
• No block schedules; work Monday through Sunday with rotating days off.
• Scrubs and closed-toe, non-skid shoes required; strict dress code regarding jewelry, hair, beard, and nails.
• Documentation and medication systems: EPIC.
• Respiratory and anesthesia support available 24/7.
• Special equipment includes IV pumps and invasive monitoring; respiratory manages ventilators.

Required Qualifications

• Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) with at least 2 years of experience, including experience within the last year.
• Certification through NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) or equivalent.
• Current BLS certification (American Heart Association standards).
• Demonstrated vascular and orthopedic surgical skills.
• Prior travel experience preferred.

Orientation & Training

• 2 days of orientation provided.
• Bi-weekly orientation sessions available on Mondays.

Staffing & Support

• Ancillary assistance includes CNAs/PCTs, OR aides, scrub techs, surgical assistants, and RNs.
• Approximately 30 staff per shift.
• No advanced practice providers on the unit.

Additional Requirements & Notes

• Reliable personal or rental vehicle strongly recommended; public transportation is not accessible.
• Vehicles should have all-season or snow tires from November through April.
• All employment gaps over 90 days must be explained.
• Complete and detailed work history required, including bed count, EMR, and facility type.
• Certified OR Techs must float and be available for call and weekend shifts as needed (max call 1x post-shift/week and 1 weekend day per 4-week period).

Compliance & Documentation

• Background check within 30 days of start, covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years.
• Education verification as required.
• State license primary source verification within 30 days of start and upon expiration.
• NURSYS verification for RN/LPN/AP as applicable.
• Skills checklist within 12 months.
• 2 professional references from assignments within the last 3 years.
• Work history verification for the last 2 years.
• Photo for badge (passport style, plain background, no logos or hats) required 2 weeks prior to start.
• Auto insurance proof required and must be valid throughout assignment.
• Completion of EPIC and Cornerstone modules prior to start (approx. 8 hours).
• COVID vaccination or declination required.
• Flu vaccine or declination required during flu season (Oct 1 - Mar 31).
• Pneumonia vaccine or declination required for New York placements.
• Physical exam within 12 months of start.
• N95 fit test required prior to assignment and updated annually.
• Tdap vaccination within 10 years or titer required.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within past 12 months, updated annually.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and Varicella immunizations or positive titers required.
• Drug testing within 12 months of start required for New York facilities.

Facility Policies

• Must review dress code and telephone usage policies prior to start.
• Must complete emergency contact, candidate information, and workday attestation forms.
• Must sign Vermont Adult and Child Abuse Registry consent form if applicable.
• Must comply with COVID testing protocol on Day 1 of work if required.

Patient Care & Unit Specifics

• Start IVs and patient transports if central transport is backed up.
• Jewelry not allowed while scrubbed in; earrings must be covered by hair covering.
• Cloth surgical caps must be covered by disposable caps; beards must be covered.
• Nail polish cannot be chipped; no fake nails allowed.

This position offers a comprehensive surgical tech experience in a busy OR setting with a variety of surgical cases and requires strong technical skills, flexibility, and adherence to strict clinical and facility standards.