Surgical Tech I & II, Pediatric CVOR - $20K Bonus

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. VUMC is a community where expertise is valued, knowledge is expanded, and abilities are challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and uniqueness is celebrated.

About the Role

Surgical Tech I & Surgical Tech II team members facilitate patient care by assisting physicians and nursing staff before, during, and after surgical procedures. Responsibilities include creating and maintaining a sterile field, providing instruments and supplies to surgeons, and performing duties with occasional guidance. The Surgical Tech performs competently in most cases within a given service or shift.

This full-time position includes late stay and call requirements. Additional details will be discussed during the department interview.

Join the CVOR Team at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a nationally recognized pediatric cardiovascular surgical team delivering life-saving care to children with complex heart conditions. Work in a state-of-the-art facility, collaborating across specialties to provide high-acuity, patient-centered care in a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate patient care by assisting the surgeon before, during, and after surgical procedures.
• Plan, set up, perform, and clean up assigned surgical procedures as a circulator and scrub tech.
• Perform sharp, sponge, and instrument counts according to policy.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and apply the Principles of Asepsis in creating and maintaining the sterile field.
• Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements

Surgical Tech I

• Graduate of an approved surgical technologist program or successful completion of a surgical technologist training program during service in the U.S. armed forces.
• Less than one year of relevant work experience.
• Certification from one of the following (unless graduated from an armed forces training program):
  • NBSTSA CST – National Board of Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistants, Certified Surgical Technologist.
  • NCCT – TS-C – National Center for Competency Testing, Tech In Surgery.

Surgical Tech II

• Graduate of an approved surgical technologist program or successful completion of a surgical technologist training program during service in the U.S. armed forces.
• Minimum of one year of relevant work experience.
• Certification from one of the following (unless graduated from an armed forces training program):
  • NBSTSA CST – National Board of Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistants, Certified Surgical Technologist.
  • NCCT – TS-C – National Center for Competency Testing, Tech In Surgery.

Skills

• Surgical Equipment Knowledge (Novice): Knowledge of equipment performance criteria, capabilities, and limitations. Able to use equipment for basic tasks and conduct remedial/preventive maintenance.
• Procedures Knowledge (Fundamental Awareness): Limited experience or training with procedures.
• Operating Room Care (Fundamental Awareness): Limited experience or training in operating room care.
• Environmental Sterility & Safety (Fundamental Awareness): Limited experience or training in environmental sterility and safety.
• Inventory Management (Fundamental Awareness): Familiarity with inventory management concepts, tools, and processes.
• Surgical Technology (Fundamental Awareness): Limited experience or training in surgical technology.
• Equipment Maintenance (Fundamental Awareness): Limited experience conducting maintenance activities.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Performs defined tasks with regular guidance to achieve standardized solutions.
• Problem Solving: Follows established processes to solve routine problems with prescribed solutions.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Basic understanding of systems and procedures relevant to the role.
• Team Interaction: Contributes individually to the team.

Core Capabilities

• Delivering Excellent Services:
  • Serves others with compassion by understanding their needs.
  • Solves routine problems and raises concerns in a timely manner.
  • Listens carefully and provides accurate information and support.
• Ensuring High Quality:
  • Checks work quality and asks relevant questions to meet standards.
  • Shows eagerness to learn and improve.
  • Demonstrates basic knowledge of safety conditions and reports unsafe situations.
• Managing Resources Effectively:
  • Takes responsibility for assigned activities.
  • Understands how personal actions impact departmental resources.
  • Uses accurate information for decision-making to achieve results.
• Fostering Innovation:
  • Proposes or accepts ideas to improve day-to-day operations.
  • Quickly adapts to new technology and tools.
  • Embraces changes and incorporates them into work.

Benefits

• Sign-On Bonus: $20,000 (taxable) paid over 2 years for full-time positions. Not applicable to current or former VUMC staff who worked in the past 12 months.
• Relocation Bonus: Up to $10,000 (taxable) paid within 45 days of hire for relocation from over 100 miles away. Not applicable to current or former VUMC staff who worked in the past 12 months.

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has been recognized as the No. 1 children’s hospital in Tennessee and shares the top spot in the Southeast, according to the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals rankings.