Certified Surgical Services Technologist

We are recruiting for a mission-driven Certified Surgical Services Technologist (CST)- Inpatient (Nights) - *$12,000 Retention Agreement* to join our team!

We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey.

Our Values

Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency

Department

Operating RoomThe Denver Health Inpatient Operating Room is an 11-room, highly specialized surgical unit that provides 24/7 surgical care to patients with complex and high-acuity needs. Serving the community of Denver, the State of Colorado, and surrounding states, the unit supports a full spectrum of surgical services through continuous staffing, which minimizes the need for call while maintaining exceptional patient care.
Staffed by a highly experienced and skilled clinical team, the Inpatient OR specializes in a wide range of surgery services, including:
• General surgery
• Trauma
• Spine and Neurosurgery
• Bariatric
• Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
• Genitourinary and Gynecology (GU/GYN)
• Plastics and Hand
• Gender affirmation
• Pediatrics
• Oral maxillofacial and Dental
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• Oncology
• Vascular surgery
The unit also houses a state-of-the-art Hybrid Operating Room, allowing for advanced image-guided vascular and endovascular procedures.

Additionally, the Denver Health Bariatric Surgery Center—located within the inpatient OR—is the only MBSAQIP-certified (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program) hospital in Denver serving both adolescents (ages 16–20) and adults (ages 21–65).

The nurse-to-patient ratio in the Inpatient OR is 1:1, ensuring highly personalized surgical care.

A limited number of candidates are eligible for a $12,000 retention agreement as part of our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent. Eligibility requires 2+ years of OR experience,1+ year of recent Level I trauma experience preferred.

Job Summary

Under the close supervision of an RN, participates as a member of the perioperative nursing team by performing direct and indirect perioperative surgical technologist tasks for patients having pediatric, adult, and geriatric surgical and endoscopy procedures. Performs tasks related to picking supplies and equipment for surgical cases. Scrubs for minor/ major/ complex surgical procedures. Transports patients. May be assigned to work in the sterile processing department and/ or operating room as required. Under the close supervision of a qualified surgeon, the surgical technologist performs scrub duties during the surgical procedures (holding retractors and passing instrumentation). Performs technical tasks pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 12, Article 43.2

Essential Functions:

• General Operations
  • Functions as a scrub tech for minor/ major/ complex surgical procedures; anticipates surgical team needs; appropriately maintains sterile field and sterile processes; pulls according to Preference Card; has appropriate instrumentation and supplies; facilitates room turnover.
  • Performs surgical counts under supervision of the RN. Follows and consults other team members regarding departmental policies when the policy is in question.
  • Maintains instrument sets, hospital trays, and clinic trays in a functioning order and according to the number of instruments on the inventory/ count sheets.
  • Receives, sorts, stocks, decontaminates, cleans, examines, and sterilizes surgical items according to AORN, AMMI, Joint Commission, and ASHCSP recommended practices. Acts as a resource when collection and disposal questions and concerns are in question.
  • Performs OR environmental maintenance duties relating to sterilization and storage areas.
  • Confirms drug dosages and utilizes the “three checks” when receiving and passing medications on the sterile field with the RN and surgeon as required. Ensures appropriate labeling of medications on the sterile field. Completes occurrence form when medication error occurs.
  • Performs transportation responsibilities when requested; transporting patients form one area to another; delivering laboratory specimens, blood products, medications and other hospital/ medical items to the requested departments as needed; and includes access to the pneumatic tube system to transport items, including blood products and medications, to and from the tube and the desired location.
  (50%)
• Secondary Duties
  • Transports patients safely when required.
  • Assists with the application of casts and splints.
  • Reports defective material or equipment to the Unit Manager, Charge Nurse, Service Leader, or Chief Surgical Technologist for that service. Completes occurrence report pursuant to Denver Health policy.
  • Teaches to AORN standards when precepting students, surgical technologists/ RNs in the scrub role.
  • Maintains stock level of supplies and/ or equipment as assigned.
  • Maintains Continuing Education hours and requirements for Certification. Maintains Certification.
  (30%)
• Data Analysis
  • Collects data to promote improvement.
  • Reports response of patient/ family or changing condition to care provider and helps to appropriately update the plan of care.
  (20%)

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED Required

Work Experience:

• 1-3 years Experience in health care Required

Licenses:

• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross Required and
• CST-Certified Surgical Technologist - NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Required and
• Surgical Technologist - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and the ability to use medical equipment and instruments.
• Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work environment.
• Skill in establishing and maintain effective working relationships with patients, employees, physicians, and the public.
• Ability to precept surgical technologists and/ or RNs learning scrub roles.
• Ability to assist with the application of casts and splints. Ability to perform OR environmental maintenance duties.
• Ability to perform all technical tasks that support clinical operations.
• The primary focus of this position is the role of surgical scrub, sterile processing functions, picking for surgical cases, and the precepting role.

Shift

Nights (United States of America)

Work Type

Regular

Salary

$29.57 - $42.88 / hr

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.