Surgical Technician

Callista Surgery Center is seeking an experienced Surgical Technologist to join our team in Walnut Creek, California. The Surgical Technologist plays an essential role in supporting safe, efficient, and high-quality surgical care within our ambulatory surgery center.

Working under the direction of the Registered Nurse and Clinical Manager, the Surgical Technologist is responsible for preparing the operating room, maintaining the sterile field, assisting surgeons and the surgical team during procedures, managing surgical instruments and supplies, and supporting proper sterilization and infection-control practices. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, knowledgeable in sterile technique and surgical instrumentation, and experienced working in a plastic surgery operating room environment.

Key Responsibilities

Surgical & Operating Room Support

Prepare the operating room for scheduled surgical procedures, including instruments, equipment, supplies, and sterile materials.

Review the daily surgical schedule and anticipate instrumentation, equipment, and supply needs for each case.

Assist surgical team members with gowning and gloving.

Assist with patient skin preparation and surgical draping.

Establish, maintain, and monitor the sterile field throughout surgical procedures.

Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and provide appropriate instruments, supplies, and equipment throughout procedures.

Participate in sponge, needle, and instrument counts with the circulating nurse.

Handle surgical specimens according to established policies and procedures.

Assist with removal of surgical drapes, cleansing of prep solution, and application of dressings as directed.

Demonstrate proper use and understanding of operating room equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and facility procedures.

Assist with efficient operating room turnover between cases.

Ensure operating rooms are appropriately cleaned, stocked, and prepared for scheduled procedures.

Sterile Processing & Instrument Management

Clean, disinfect, inspect, assemble, package, sterilize, and appropriately store surgical instruments and equipment.

Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate sterilization and high-level disinfection methods for surgical instruments and equipment.

Operate sterilizers, instrument washers, high-level disinfectors, and other designated processing equipment.

Properly document chemical and biological indicators associated with sterilization and high-level disinfection processes.

Prepare and arrange surgical instruments and trays according to procedure requirements.

Maintain appropriate separation between contaminated and clean areas within sterile processing.

Follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning, handling, and reprocessing instruments and equipment.

Immediately report damaged, malfunctioning, or potentially unsafe equipment and instrumentation.

Coordinate with nursing staff to ensure required instrument sets are processed and available for scheduled procedures.

Notify the Clinical Manager or Registered Nurse of instrument or supply shortages that could impact the surgical schedule.

Infection Prevention & Patient Safety

Consistently follow sterile technique, infection-control practices, and standard precautions.

Follow established procedures for handling contaminated instruments, infectious waste, hazardous materials, and sharps.

Ensure appropriate disposal of needles, blades, syringes, and other sharp objects.

Identify potentially unsafe situations and promptly notify the appropriate supervisor.

Follow all Callista Surgery Center policies related to employee and patient safety.

Complete required patient or employee incident documentation accurately and timely.

Demonstrate knowledge of emergency procedures within the operating room and surgery center.

Respond appropriately to patient-care emergencies under the direction of the Registered Nurse or Clinical Manager.

Maintain current BLS certification and assist with basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary and within scope of practice.

Team &Facility Support

Support patient care in an organized, efficient, and timely manner.

Communicate professionally with patients, families, surgeons, nurses, teammates, and other members of the healthcare team.

Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality at all times.

Assist with stocking and replenishing operating room and sterile processing supplies.

Assist with housekeeping and environmental tasks necessary to maintain a clean and safe surgical environment.

Participate in continuing education, in-service training, and competency programs.

Maintain current knowledge of surgical techniques, instrumentation, infection prevention, and perioperative practices.

Support cost-containment efforts by identifying excessive, underutilized, or unnecessary supplies and communicating concerns to the Clinical Manager.

Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Completion of a Surgical Technology program preferred.

Current Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification preferred; experienced non-certified Surgical Technologists may be considered.

Previous operating room and/or ambulatory surgery center experience preferred.

Previous plastic surgery experience required.

Experience with surgical instrumentation, sterile technique, and instrument processing required.

Certification

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification preferred. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong knowledge of surgical asepsis and sterile technique.

Knowledge of operating room instrumentation, surgical equipment, and appropriate instrument care.

Knowledge of cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, sterile packaging, and storage requirements.

Ability to assemble and arrange surgical instruments and trays appropriately.

Ability to anticipate the needs of surgeons and the surgical team throughout procedures.

Knowledge of proper handling and disposal of contaminated materials, hazardous materials, and sharps.

Ability to safely operate sterilization and instrument-processing equipment.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to patient safety.

Ability to prioritize responsibilities and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced surgical environment.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to work collaboratively with surgeons, nurses, and other members of the surgical team.

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and communicate effectively in English.

Exciting Perks:

40% off products and procedures, as well as the ability to participate in free annual injectable events

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

Company paid short and long-term disability as well as life insurance

Safe Harbor 401K match up to 4%

Flex spending accounts and commuter benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counseling for the stresses of everyday life

Exclusive discounts for theme parks, attractions, hotels, concerts, and movie tickets.

Employees accrue PTO from their first day of employment. Additionally, employees who work over 20 hours in a pay period are eligible for 9 paid holidays.

Pet insurance to cover the healthcare needs of all your pets

Callista Surgery Center strongly encourages employees to receive the COVID-19 primary series vaccination.

Callista Surgery Center participates in the E-Verify program. E-Verify is a free, web-based system that allows employers to confirm their employees'

eligibility to work in the United States. It does this by comparing information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to records from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA).

Callista Surgery Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants for employment and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.