Casual, Surgical Technologist, Sr. - UPMC Somerset

UPMC Somerset is excited to offer a rewarding opportunity for Surgical Technologists at all levels—Tech, Intermediate, and Senior!

As a Surgical Technologist, you will support the operating room team by preparing sterile fields, passing instruments, ensuring equipment readiness, handling specimens, and contributing to the safety and flow of each surgical case. You'll be a critical part of procedures that change and save lives every day.

This is a casual position and offers an as-needed schedule, with a minimum commitment of 16 hours per six-week scheduling period. The role also includes a minimum of 120 call hours per year, with participation in weekend and holiday call coverage required.

Whether you're just beginning your surgical services career or bringing years of specialized experience, this role places you at the center of life‑changing patient care!

*Applicants will be placed in the appropriate job title and salary from the career ladder, based on individual experience and education. Rate shown at the Senior level.

• Teach both skill and theoretical principles to new employees and students.
• During surgery, efficiently pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgeon assistants. Under the supervision of the surgeon hold retractors or instruments, cut sutures, sponge or suction the operative site and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
• Assume responsibility under the direction of the Clinician for all repairs, ordering and maintenance of supplies, equipment, lasers and instrumentation related to the specialty service. Assist the Clinician in supervising the use of supplies and equipment for patient care and safety in all procedures.
• Before an operation, help to prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. Assemble both sterile and non-sterile equipment. Adjust and check equipment to ensure it is working properly.
• Demonstrate initiative in problem solving as related to patient and technical issues that contribute to the improvement of the Operating Room function and operation.
• Coordinate day to day supervision of the surgical technicians. Serve as the Lead on daily shifts to resolve/answer any questions or issues. Teach both skill and theoretical principles to new employees and students.
• Prepare patients for surgery by wash, shave, and ensure aseptic incision sites. May transport patients to the operating room, help position them on the operating table, and cover them with sterile surgical drapes. Assist the surgical team with putting on sterile gowns and gloves.
• Scrub, secure additional supplies as required, maintain asepsis in the Operating Room, select and sterilize instruments, set up for surgical procedures, hand the surgeon instruments and sutures, store equipment and instruments.
• Assist in the preparation, care for, and disposal of specimens taken for laboratory analysis and help apply dressings.
• Support cost containment in the use of materials and equipment.
• An in-depth knowledge related to a specific surgical specialty or a broad knowledge of many specialties.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills and collaborates with the surgeons, specialty team members and other departments. Serve as a resource for staff and other disciplines. Identifies process improvement opportunities and assists in implementation.
• Ensure all medications are labeled and handed to surgeon according to established policies and procedures. After surgery, may help transfer patients to the recovery room. Clean and restock the operating room. Ensure clean, safe environment through continued alertness to safety and explosive hazards and aseptic technique.
• Serve as a resource to other staff members. Assist head nurse by precepting students and new employees.

Surgical Technologist (starting at $23.27)

• In accordance with PA legislature House Bill 81 enacted 10/29/2020 and became effective 12/27/2020.Candidate must meet one of the following:
  • Must have completed program sponsored by nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation and maintains certification 
    • New graduates of a program sponsored by nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation can work for six months prior to certification but must be certified within six months of program completion.
  • Has completed appropriate military training program or Maintains certification from accredited program
  • Was employed as a surg tech in a health care facility on or before effective date of the act (12/27/2020) 
    • Staff employed to practice surgical technology by the health care facility on or before the effective date of the law (12/27/2020) or who were employed as a surg tech at another health care facility two years before effective date of the law are grandfathered and therefore not required to have certification.
  • employed as a surg tech at another health care facility two years before effective date (12/27/2020).
    • Staff employed to practice surgical technology by the health care facility on or before the effective date of the law (12/27/2020) or who were employed as a surg tech at another health care facility two years before effective date of the law are grandfathered and therefore not required to have certification
• Continuing education requirements: Compliance with continuing ed requirements specified by the credentialing organization for certification.  
• For individuals not certified - must complete 30 hours of continuing ed every two years.
• Entry level job 0-2 years experience.

Surgical Technologist, Intermediate (starting at $24.34)

• Must meet the above
• 2 years of current surgical technician experience that demonstrates advanced knowledge of at least 2 surgical specialties. 
  • Surgical specialties include but not limited to: general, orthopedic, vascular, plastic and reconstructive, obstetrics and gynecology, thoracic, ophthalmic, neurosurgery, organ procurement and endoscopic surgical settings. 

Surgical Technologist, Senior. (starting at $26.36) 

• Must meet the above
• Completion of a formal surgical technician program offered by a community or junior college, vocational school, university, hospital or the military. 
• 3 years of current Operating Room experience required. 
• Advanced knowledge of at least 2 surgical specialists with 1 year experience in selected specialty desired.  

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Certified Surgical Technologists (CST) OR Tech in Surgery-Certified (TSC)
  • Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Technologist Surgery Certified (TSC) within 6 months of program completion
  • Staff employed to practice surgical technology by the health care facility on or before the effective date of the law (12/27/2020) or who were employed as a surg tech at another health care facility two years before effective date of the law are grandfathered and therefore not required to have certification. 
  • New graduates of a program sponsored by nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation can work for six months prior to certification, but must be certified within six months of program completion. 
    • Exception: A health care facility may employ individuals who do not meet the certification requirements if after a diligent and thorough effort has been made they are unable to employ a sufficient number of qualified surg techs who meet the requirements (i.e. certification) and a written record of efforts is made and retained at the health care facility. (1. Recruitment efforts are documented and can be supplied for this record. 2. The supply of certified or eligible to be certified surg techs does not meet the needs of the organization.). 
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran