Senior Certified Technologist Surgical Service-Lead for Hands

We are recruiting for a motivated Senior Certified Technologist Surgical Service- Lead for Hands, Plastics, Breast and Eyes to join our team!

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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.Job Summary

The Lead Surgical Technologist is a clinical expert for assigned surgical specialties. Under minimal supervision, assumes service line leadership in collaboration with the Service Leader, Charge Nurse, OR Manager and Director to identify and resolve operational issues and/or needs. This includes, but is not limited to: analyzing patient charts to plan for upcoming surgical procedures, evaluating equipment, supply and instrumentation needs, collaborating with vendors and internal auxiliary departments, selection, training and mentoring of team members, pulling cases, supporting teams, performing scrub duties and technical tasks pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 12 Article 43.2. The Lead maintains an understanding of, and ensures compliance, with the regulatory standards, operating room policies and standard work protocol.

Essential Functions:

• CASE MANAGEMENT Utilizes the surgery schedule, patient chart and Surgical Preference Cards to prepare for upcoming surgical procedures by: analyzing block times, physician notes, diagnostic tests, previous surgeries, equipment availability, supply and instrument needs. Communicates with physicians when questions arise. Arranges for vendor support and specialty items (equipment, supplies, implants, etc.). Collaborates with leadership team when making staff assignments. Builds, maintains and makes updates to Surgical Preference Cards. (30%)
• LEADERSHIP Oversees the members of a surgical specialty service to ensure that it is performing effectively and providing optimal patient care. Proactively approaches each surgical case by: assessing patient needs, evaluating, planning, collaborating, and encouraging positive communication while directing the healthcare team. Visible in the operating rooms daily. Delegates tasks to promote a sense of “team work”. (20%)
• SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST Performs direct and indirect preoperative surgical care for pediatric, adult, geriatric and vulnerable patient populations. Scrubs for minor/major/complex surgical procedures. Responsible for procurement and handling of instrumentation, supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedures. Utilizes knowledge, training and skills to anticipate the needs of the surgeon and ensure quality patient care. (15%)
• PROJECTS Identifies new projects aimed at improving systems and processes in the operating room. Defines, plans, communicates, executes, delegates and manages project from start to finish. (15%)
• MANAGEMENT OF EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES Ascertains the availability of equipment, instruments and supplies by collaborating with the leadership team, vendors and internal auxiliary departments. Participates in and gathers data for new or replacement equipment. Assists and collaborates with SPD to build and maintain instrument sets. Arranges for broken or damaged items to be repaired or replaced. Researches and arranges for the use of new technology, equipment and supplies. Directly communicates with vendors and internal auxiliary departments to request quotes, place requisitions and establish Lawson numbers. Reports supply chain issues and requests substitute items. (10%)
• EDUCATION, MENTOR AND PRECEPT Facilitates learning by assisting staff to meet service specific technical and professional objectives. Arranges schedules, serves as an evaluator, providing feedback, support and guidance. Coordinates and conducts service specific education and training about equipment, supplies and instrumentation. (i.e. daily huddle, Monday morning in-service, bi-annual Skills Day, fast talks). Develops training/resource tools (visual, hands on, etc.) utilizing the preoperative SharePoint site to preserve training materials. (10%)

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED Required and
• Post High School Diploma or Certificate Program Certification from an accredited Surgical Technology program Required

Work Experience:

• 1-3 years Typically, three years’ experience as a Surgical Technologist 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 the Denver Health mission and values of Trust, Respect and Excellence, state regulatory standards and operating room policies and standard work protocol.
• Communications and Interpersonal Skills – clearly convey needs and establish rapport with physicians, co-workers and auxiliary staff.
• Professional and Courteous Demeanor
• Critical Thinking – using logic and reasoning for daily case management and staff support.
• Active Listening – giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting in at inappropriate times.
• Judgement and Decision Making – considering the surgical needs of the patient and the optimal patient outcome.
• Service Oriented – actively looking for ways to help teams.
• Leadership – respecting professional standards, hospital and departmental policies and standards of care.
• Research – ability to leverage resources to acquire needed information.
• Mentor and Precept – desire to share knowledge, experience and insights and use them to help other people grow in their professions.
• Work Independently and Collaboratively - prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.

Shift

Work Type

Regular

Salary

$29.84 - $46.25 / hr

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits including up to 27 paid days off per year, immediate retirement plan employer contribution up to 9.5%, and generous medical plans

• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)

• On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes

• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more

• Tuition reimbursement & assistance

• Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching

• 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

Our Values

• Respect

• Belonging

• Accountability

• Transparency

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care 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, a Public Health Institute, an HMO and The Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided billions in uncompensated care for the uninsured. Denver Health is viewed as an Anchor Institution for the community, focusing on hiring and purchasing locally as applicable, serving as a pillar for community needs, and caring for more than 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a 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.

Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.