Sr Surgical Technologist

About the Role

Come lead with us at Houston Methodist West Hospital. The Sr. Surgical Technologist position requires proficient knowledge and skills to carry out delegated tasks associated with safe and efficient operating‑room support functions and related procedures. The role works independently, exercising sound judgment, and reports observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse or surgeon. In addition to performing the duties of a Surgical Technologist, the Sr. Surgical Technologist provides mentoring and guidance for other Surgical Technologists, helping to train and orient new staff. The position is responsible for assigned non‑nursing functions and practices relationship‑centered care in concert with Houston Methodist values. Additional duties include general patient care and department upkeep as delegated by licensed personnel.

FLSA status: Non‑exempt

People Essential Functions

• Promotes a positive work environment that actively assists the interprofessional health‑care team to achieve optimal department results.
• Facilitates open, professional communication (verbal, non‑verbal, written) including active listening and teaching to achieve mutual understanding; role‑models by example.
• Teaches others to think critically by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and providing structured feedback with examples.
• Serves as the department preceptor for new surgical technologists, training and orienting them.
• Facilitates teamwork by anticipating the need for assistance and responding positively to requests.
• Uses peer‑to‑peer accountability to improve department scores for employee engagement.

Service Essential Functions

• Prepares the operating room, equipment, and supplies for the next patient.
• Anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment, and supplies needed during the procedure before the surgeon scrubs.
• Maintains and accurately updates surgeon preference cards within the applicable service line.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon and nursing staff by passing instruments and supplies for a variety of procedures, including orthopedics, gynecology, general, ENT, ophthalmology, urology, cardiovascular, spine, neurology, oral/maxillofacial, and minimally invasive surgeries.
• Assists the circulating RN with sponge, instrument, needle, and other surgical counts.
• Role‑models behaviors and skills through peer‑to‑peer accountability to improve patient‑satisfaction scores.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Maintains the highest standard of sterile technique during pre‑ and post‑procedures.
• Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices.
• Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization following surgical procedures.
• Assists team members with terminal cleaning of the room.
• Assists with implementation and teaching of department‑based safety initiatives and standards of practice.
• Problem‑solves and manages multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Participates in debriefing and quality‑improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.
• Initiates corrective actions and improvement activities toward department and hospital quality and safety targets, reports near misses, and collaborates with the interprofessional team.

Finance Essential Functions

• Maintains efficient use of surgical supplies and minimizes opening of supplies until confirmation of use.
• Makes recommendations for cost containment during cases.
• Self‑motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime and prioritizing daily tasks.
• Utilizes downtime efficiently and assists other team members as needed.

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Identifies and presents areas for innovation, efficiency, and improvement for department projects and shared‑governance activities.
• May co‑chair a unit‑based Shared Governance Council.
• Acts as a resource in surgical technology for the department on other hospital committees.
• Participates in at least one department or hospital committee/subcommittee and helps achieve its goals.
• Proactively seeks opportunities to enhance knowledge and expertise in competencies with a focus on continual development.
• Completes and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) on an ongoing basis.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED, homeschool equivalency, partial or full post‑secondary education, etc.) and successful completion of an accredited Surgical Technology program or military training equivalency.
• Experience: Minimum two years as a Surgical Technologist.
• Licenses and Certifications: Required BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (American Heart Association). Must hold a certification (CST from NBSTSA, TS‑C from NCCT, or CSA from NCCSA) or qualify under the grandfather clause (employment before September 1 2009). Must complete 30 CEUs every two years as required by SB1239, Sec 259.002.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, verified through ongoing assessments and performance evaluations.
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English, especially for activities impacting patient or employee safety.
• Effective communication with patients, physicians, families, and co‑workers, using a customer‑service focus and positive language principles.
• Understanding of medical terminology.
• Independence and sound judgment in interactions with physicians, the interprofessional care team, patients, and families.
• Proficient knowledge and appropriate use of hospital databases such as EPIC; ability to access departmental and hospital‑wide information.
• Strong knowledge of procedure software.
• Proficient knowledge of instrument sets, individual surgical instruments, supplies, and their appropriate use.
• Competency in decontamination and use of autoclave equipment.
• Expertise and role as a clinical resource in at least one surgical specialty service line.

Supplemental Requirements

• Work attire: Uniform required; scrubs not required; business professional not required.
• On‑call: Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events).
• Travel: May require travel within the Houston metropolitan area; travel outside the Houston metropolitan area is not required.