Surgical Tech

If you are looking to make an impact on a meaningful scale, come join us as we embrace the Power of One!

We strive to be an employer of choice and establish a reputation for being a talent rich organization where Associates can grow their career caring for others. For over a century, we've served the health care needs of the people of Memphis and the Mid-South.


Responsible for assisting the surgical team by acting as a primary scrub person who handles surgical instruments, supplies and equipment used in a specialized area during surgical procedures. Maintains constant vigilance for the maintenance of the sterile field. The Level III practitioner is a certified advanced practitioner who performs complex cases, demonstrates critical thinking and problem solving skills and has met the Level II Surgical Technologist criteria. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in The Methodist Mission, Vision, and Values.

Working at MLH means carrying the mission forward of caring for our community and impacting the lives of patients in every way through compassion, a deliberate focus on service expectations and a consistent thriving for excellence.

A Brief Overview
Responsible for assisting the surgical team by acting as a primary scrub person who handles surgical instruments, supplies and equipment used in a specialized area during surgical procedures. Maintains constant vigilance for the maintenance of the sterile field. The Level III practitioner is a certified advanced practitioner who performs complex cases, demonstrates critical thinking and problem solving skills and has met the Level II Surgical Technologist criteria. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in The Methodist Mission, Vision, and Values.

What you will do

• Performs scrub duties to assist physician/surgeon during complex surgical procedures.
• Makes available instruments in proper position and hands instruments/supplies to the surgeon as needed.
• Assists the circulator in a timely and accurate preparation of room based on individualized patient assignment, by utilizing the physician preference card.
• Assists the circulator to perform surgical counts by following the policy and procedure guidelines.
• Prepares suture and dressing for surgeon use.
• Maintains a sterile field for surgical services. Ensures adherence to the sterile field by applying principles of aseptic techniques.
• Demonstrates initiative in professional development and continuing education. Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education, skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization.
• Serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to new and less experienced surgical techs. Assists with on-the-job training, education and competency validation to ensure technical expertise and compliance with continuing education requirements. Provides input to manager regarding training performance.
• Maintains competency to scrub in multiple surgical specialties.
• Participates in committees and department activities that promote a healthy, positive environment and encourages and recognizes the contribution of others.
• Effectively manages resources such as supplies and equipment. Plans work and completes job responsibilities in an efficient and productive manner.
• Demonstrates professional work behavior and excellent customer service routinely in all interactions.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Education/Formal Training Requirements

• Required - Technical Degree or Diploma Surgical Technology
• Preferred - Associates Degree Surgical Technology

Work Experience Requirements

• Required - Surgery Tech 3-5 years

Licenses and Certifications Requirements

• Required - BASIC LIFE SUPPORT - American Heart Association
• Required - Certified Surgical Technologist - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
• Preferred - Tech in Surgery TS-C - National Center for Competency Testing

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate verbally with co-workers, physicians and other outside professional staff.
• Ability to organize tasks and maintain control of work flow.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations as would be acquired through completion of high school.
• Ability to read and follow written instruction as would be acquired through completion of high school.
• Demonstrates independent functioning and proficiency in the scrub role in complex cases in assigned area as well as maintaining competency in other specialties.
• Demonstrates superior knowledge of the various surgical equipment and advanced surgical instrumentation.
• Demonstrates superior knowledge and expert practice in the surgery tech role in advanced surgical procedures.
• Ability to perform the preceptor role in the training of new surgical techs.
• Demonstrates the ability to guide, teach, and mentor other techs and serve in a charge capacity.
• Knowledge of use and troubleshooting of complex technical equipment and instrumentation.
• Ability to work without close supervision and to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to work with others as a team to consider alternative solutions to problems and choose the best solution or solutions.
• Exhibits a higher level of collaboration with peers in making decisions related to surgical patient care.

Supervision Provided by this Position

• Provides day-to-day direction and guidance to other surgical techs.

Physical Demands

• The physical activities of this position may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion.
• Must have good balance and coordination.
• The physical requirements of this position are: medium work - exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 25 lbs. of force frequently.
• The Associate is required to have close visual acuity including color, depth perception, and field of vision to perform an activity, such as assessing patients, preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; or extensive reading.
• Frequent invasive and non-invasive patient contact.
• Exposure to patient body fluids as well as exposure to hazardous or poisonous materials.
• Ability to react quickly to emergency situations.

Our Associates are passionate about what they do, the service they provide and the patients they serve. We value family, team and a Power of One culture that requires commitment to the highest standards of care and unity.

Boasting one of the South's largest medical centers, Memphis blends a friendly community, a thriving and growing downtown, and a low cost of living. We see each day as a new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people in our community.