Cardiac Specialty Surgical Tech- Operating Room (Full Time, Days)

Job Summary

The Cardiac Specialty Scrub Technologist is a highly specialized perioperative professional with advanced expertise in cardiac and congenital heart procedures. This role supports complex surgical, hybrid, transcatheter, and robotic-assisted cardiac procedures by providing expert instrumentation management, procedural anticipation, and direct intraoperative support to surgeons and interventional teams. This role requires specialized cardiac knowledge and the ability to function autonomously in high-acuity, high-risk cardiac environments.

Job Specific Duties

• Serves as the primary scrub technologist for complex cardiac and congenital heart procedures, including open-heart, hybrid, transcatheter, and robotic‑assisted cardiac surgeries.
• Prepares, organizes, and manages highly specialized cardiac and robotic instrumentation, implants, grafts, valves, and devices required for each procedure.
• Collaborates with Specialty Nurse in order to facilitate all needed equipment, supplies and surgical set up needed for specific service.
• Acts as primary preceptor for students, surgical technicians and Registered Nurses to scrub role in one or more service(s)/program(s).
• Acts as technical resource to vendors for surgical equipment, supplies and surgical needs.
• Provides care to patient (assists w/intubation) undergoing surgical intervention including preparing for procedures, providing supplies & instruments during procedure, and post-procedures clean-up.
• Prepares for all specimens handling within hospital guidelines and policy. Ensures proper handoff per surgery guidelines and delivery of specimens.
• Assists with patient care activities (assist w/intubation, count of instruments, planning and set up of sterile field, etc.) under the direction of RN Circulator.
• Checks and assembles supplies, equipment, and instrumentation prior to surgical procedure to promote a safe and sterile environment of care.
• Collaboratively works with Specialty RN to order instruments as needed through the Surgical Services business office.
• Focuses on the needs of the physician in providing for instrument set up as recorded on preference card.
• Collaborates with Specialty RN in maintaining physician preference cards, reviews, and orders surgical inventory as needed within the budget for capital requests.
• Coordinates and provides in-service on new equipment and instrumentation along with the Specialty RN.
• Ensures patient safety by maintaining surgical counts for sponges, needles, and instruments per surgical count policy.
• Promotes safety by actively participating in the "Time Out" process with the surgical team.
• Maintains strict adherence to sterile technique, surgical safety standards, and cardiac-specific protocols throughout all phases of procedures.
• Collaborates closely with cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, perfusionists, anesthesia providers, and nursing teams to ensure optimal procedural flow and patient safety.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program or National Certification 
• Successful completion of Operating Room orientation required within 6 months of hire 
• American Heart Association BLS  - must maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• 2-4 years of Surgical Technologist experience in an acute care healthcare environment (or) completion of Surgical Tech student rotation with NCHS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Certified Surgical Technologist highly preferred
• Able to perform sterile techniques and maintain a sterile field
• Able to relate cooperatively and constructively with clients and co-workers
• Able to complete basic competency list and specialized skills list for position
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing
• Able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and react calmly under stressful conditions
• Proficiency in robotic surgical systems and pediatric adaptations
• Advanced knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, including congenital and acquired heart disease across neonatal, pediatric, and adult congenital populations
• Proficiency with specialized cardiac instrumentation, devices, implants, grafts, and robotic surgical platforms
• Strong understanding of cardiopulmonary bypass workflows, cannulation strategies, and coordination with perfusion teams
• Ability to anticipate procedural needs and respond autonomously during complex, high-acuity cardiac cases
• Knowledge of hybrid OR and cardiac catheterization lab environments, including integration of imaging, hemodynamics, and surgical workflows
• Demonstrated ability to safely support innovative, first-in-program, or emerging cardiac programs and robotic procedures
• Exceptional attention to detail with a strong focus on sterility, patient safety, and risk mitigation in high-risk procedures
• Ability to function effectively under pressure during long, complex, and emergent cardiac cases
• Strong interdisciplinary communication and teamwork skills with surgeons, interventional cardiologists, perfusionists, anesthesiology, and nursing teams
• Capacity to mentor and support other scrub technologists in cardiac-specific techniques and best practices
• Commitment to continuous specialty education, competency validation, and quality improvement initiatives