Lead Surgical Tech/Materials Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Please Note: This position is for a brand-new Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) opening. Due to the specialized nature of this role, candidates must have prior healthcare experience, with ASC experience strongly preferred. Applicants without healthcare or ASC experience will not be considered.

Lead Surgical Technologist / Materials Manager Position Summary

The Lead Surgical Technologist / Materials Manager plays a dual role by supporting perioperative patient care while overseeing inventory management, surgical supplies, implants, instrumentation, and operating room readiness. This position serves as both a key member of the surgical team and the primary resource for materials management, ensuring efficient case flow, regulatory compliance, cost-effective supply utilization, and exceptional patient outcomes.

This individual collaborates closely with surgeons, nursing staff, sterile processing, vendors, and leadership to maintain a safe, organized, and efficient surgical environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities Surgical Services

• Prepare operating rooms for scheduled procedures by assembling instruments, implants, specialty equipment, and supplies according to surgeon preference cards.
• Maintain sterile technique and ensure compliance with infection prevention standards throughout surgical procedures.
• Function as the scrub person during surgical procedures while anticipating surgeon and team needs.
• Participate in surgical counts and immediately report any break in sterile technique.
• Assist with room turnover to support efficient operating room utilization.
• Support patient safety initiatives and regulatory compliance throughout the perioperative process.

Materials Management

• Manage inventory levels to ensure adequate supplies, implants, instrumentation, and specialty equipment are available for scheduled procedures.
• Coordinate ordering, receiving, stocking, rotation, and storage of surgical supplies and equipment.
• Review daily surgery schedules to confirm all required instruments, implants, vendor trays, and equipment are available.
• Maintain inventory databases, preference cards, instrument tray lists, and supply documentation.
• Coordinate vendor relationships, loaner instrumentation, implant tracking, and consignment inventory.
• Monitor inventory utilization and implement cost-saving initiatives through product standardization and waste reduction.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and repair of operating room equipment.

Quality & Compliance

• Maintain accurate documentation related to inventory, sterilization records, equipment maintenance, and quality initiatives.
• Participate in quality improvement, infection prevention, emergency preparedness, and accreditation activities.
• Assist with sterile processing functions as needed, including decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and storage of instruments.
• Maintain compliance with OSHA, CMS, AAAHC/Joint Commission (as applicable), HIPAA, and facility policies.

Leadership

• Assist with onboarding, orientation, and training of surgical technologists and perioperative support staff.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and effective communication throughout the surgical department.
• Provide operational support for perioperative workflow, vendor coordination, and inventory management.
• Demonstrate initiative, critical thinking, adaptability, and sound judgment in a fast-paced surgical environment.
• Attend required meetings, competency assessments, and continuing education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of surgical procedures, instrumentation, and sterile technique
• Inventory management and supply chain coordination
• Operating room workflow optimization
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Attention to detail and organizational skills
• Leadership and accountability
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Customer service and physician support
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Commitment to patient safety and quality improvement

Education & Experience Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology program or equivalent experience.
• Current BLS (CPR) certification.
• Minimum of two (2) years of Surgical Technologist experience in an operating room or ambulatory surgery center.
• Knowledge of surgical instrumentation, sterile processing principles, inventory management, and perioperative workflow.

Preferred

• Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
• Experience managing surgical inventory, implants, or materials management.
• Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) experience.
• Orthopedic, spine, or pain management surgical experience.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand and walk for extended periods.
• Lift, push, pull, and move up to 50 pounds.
• Assist with patient positioning and movement.
• Perform repetitive hand movements and manual dexterity tasks.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and lift throughout the workday.
• Close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to respond quickly in emergency situations.

Work Environment

This position works primarily within an ambulatory surgery center operating room environment and is routinely exposed to:

• Bloodborne pathogens
• Infectious diseases
• Sterilization chemicals
• Surgical smoke
• Lasers
• Medical equipment
• Sharp instruments
• Moderate noise levels
• Fast-paced surgical schedules

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times in accordance with facility policies.

Equipment Used

• Surgical instrumentation
• Power equipment
• Video towers
• Microscopes
• Lasers
• Smoke evacuation systems
• Sterilizers
• Suction equipment
• Stretchers
• OR tables and beds
• Blanket and fluid warmers
• Inventory management software
• Electronic medical record systems
• Microsoft Office applications
• Standard office equipment

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides day-to-day operational leadership for inventory management and materials coordination.
• Assists with orientation and training of perioperative support staff.
• Coordinates vendor activities and supply chain functions.
• Supports workflow management within the surgical services department.
• Does not have direct supervisory responsibility unless otherwise assigned.

Performance Expectations (ExactHire Format)

Employees in this role are evaluated on their ability to:

 

• Deliver safe, high-quality perioperative patient care.
• Maintain efficient operating room readiness and surgical workflow.
• Manage inventory accurately while minimizing waste and controlling supply costs.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of surgical procedures, instrumentation, and sterile technique.
• Communicate effectively with physicians, staff, vendors, and leadership.
• Exercise sound judgment, accountability, and professionalism.
• Adhere to all facility policies, regulatory requirements, and safety standards.
• Consistently demonstrate the organization's RISE Values :
  • Respect – Treat others with compassion and professionalism.
  • Integrity – Act honestly, ethically, and responsibly.
  • Stewardship – Protect and responsibly manage organizational resources.
  • Efficiency – Maximize operational effectiveness while supporting exceptional clinical outcomes.