Surgical Technician (Certified - Preferred) - CST - Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

Position Summary

As a Surgical Technician, you will be a key member of the operating room (OR) team providing essential support during surgical procedures. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure the OR is set up and ready for surgery, including sterilizing instruments and maintaining a sterile environment. During surgery, you will work alongside surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals passing instruments and providing necessary items to support the surgical team. Your attention to detail, quick thinking, and ability to work well under pressure will be critical in contributing to the success and safety of surgical interventions. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced medical environment.

Position Qualifications

Minimum Education

• Associate's Degree is preferred. Formal training and certification as a Surgical Technologist is required if filling a certified position, showcasing your dedication to specialized education in this field. Otherwise, non-certified candidates are also welcome to apply.

  • Career Pathway - UNC Health Appalachian provides tuition reimbursement to qualified employees while meeting the requirements of our program to promote their career growth and development for non-certified Surgical Technicians to obtain their certification.

Experience

• 2 years of previous experience as a Surgical Technician or in a related medical role will be advantageous.

Required Registration/License/Certification

• Basic Life Support (BLS) issued from the American Heart Association is required at the time of hire.

• Certified Surgical Technician (CST) is required at time of hire if going directly into a Certified Surgical Technician position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of surgical procedures, instruments, and sterile techniques, highlighting your competence in ensuring a safe and sterile surgical environment.

• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology, enabling you to communicate effectively with the surgical team and understand their needs.

• Excellent manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination, essential for handling delicate instruments and performing precise tasks in the operating room (OR).

• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment, showcasing your adaptability and composure during intense surgical situations.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with the surgical team and other healthcare professionals, highlighting your ability to work cohesively in a team-based setting.

• Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required in a healthcare setting, emphasizing your dedication to providing patient care around the clock.

Physical Demands

• Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls, and/or transfers up to and greater than 50 pounds.

• Manual dexterity and mobility.

• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable sitting/standing/walking.

• Bending, squatting, twisting, and turning.

• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less.

Working Conditions

• Regularly exposed to the risk of blood-borne diseases.

• Frequently exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment, odorous chemicals, and specimens and unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces), etc.

• Subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and emergency situations.

• Continuous standing and walking long periods = to or greater than > 8 hours per shift.

• Speaking, reading, and writing, expanded > 8 hours per day.

• Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces > 1 hour per day.

• Frequently mobilizes patients > 4 hours per day.

• Frequently per shift: lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls > 50 lbs.

• Frequently per hour: bends, squats, kneels, twists, turns, and reaches.

• Frequently per minute: hand, finger, and wrist repetition and moderate dexterity.

• Frequently per hour: exposed to soft voices > 3 feet away.

• Frequently per hour: exposed to close eye work.

• Infrequently per shift: may be exposed to ionizing/non-ionizing radiation exposure, including x-ray and microwave.

Benefits and Compensation

Compensation is commensurate upon education and experience. Benefits begin the first of the month following 60 days of employment to begin from the new hire orientation date. This position is a non-exempt position.

• Comprehensive benefits package to include health, dental, and vision insurance as well as HSA.
• Supplemental insurance to include short and long-term disability insurance, accidental insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, identity theft protection, legal insurance, etc.
• Student loan refinancing benefit and college savings fund as well as tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off - front-loaded for the first year for qualifying part-time and full-time employees (amount based on status and FTE at the time of hire) - paid time off accrual begins following the first year of employment. Cash out option also available for qualifying employees by meeting specified criteria.
• Paid parental leave - qualifying employees are eligible to use two (2) weeks of paid parental leave anytime during the first six (6) months following the birth or adoption of a child - to be taken consecutively.
• Employee Wellness program - Love Your Life - award-winning voluntary wellness program available for UNC Health Appalachian employees. Employees enrolled on the organization's health plan can enroll with our health screening (biometrics and labs) and earn program incentives. Employees who are not enrolled on the organization's health plan can participate in online wellness activities for a chance to earn quarterly prize drawings.
• Employee to Employee (E2E) program - Caring for our own. Employee program that is solely funded by voluntary employee donations. The money is used to financially assist co-workers that are experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
• Employee perks to include discounted rates for Dollywood, Biltmore, Tweetsie Railroad, etc. (subject to change).
• Take a virtual tour of our new Schaefer Family Patient Care Tower by clicking here.

About UNC Health Appalachian

UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply “making life better.“

About UNC Health

UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org.

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen.

For accommodations or additional information, contact recruitment@apprhs.org.

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