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SURG TECHNOLOGIST-CERT-BU
Company : Covenant Health
Location : Oak Ridge, TN, 37830
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 5 January 2026
Overview
Certified Surgical Technologist, Surgery
$10,000 Sign-on Bonus for New Grads
$20,000 Sign-on Bonus for Experienced CSTs
Full Time, 72 Hours Per Pay Period, Variable Shifts
Rotating on-call shifts required
With more than 30 specialties from Cardiology and Neurosurgery to Orthopedics and Vascular care, Methodist Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in East Tennessee to offer cutting-edge treatments and technologies that benefit people with life-threatening aneurysms, severely damaged knee, hip and shoulder joints, sudden heart failure, and non-healing wounds.
- 283 licensed beds
- 25 ICU beds
- 12 intermediate care beds
- 38 emergency suites
- 2 cath labs
- 8 LDRP suites
- Over 250 active and courtesy physicians
- Over 800 employees
Job Objectives:
Provide direct nursing care to assigned surgical patients under the direction of a registered nurse, and according to required standards and hospital policies and procedures.
Recruiter: Rachel Dudek-Fleming || apply@covhlth.com
Responsibilities
- Provides technical assistance within the department.
- Assists the surgeon intraoperatively in retracting, suctioning, electrocautery and suturing.
- Initially and continually assesses and identifies patient's needs.
- Selects instruments and equipment accurately and completely.
- Maintains equipment/stock necessary for special assignments.
- Helps provide a safe, comfortable environment for the patient.
- Answers patient's questions informatively and provides information relative to patient's care and treatment.
- Consistently demonstrates principles of infection control to insure safety of patients.
- Immediately reports any break in sterility.
- Reports physical and emotional changes in patient to registered nurse and/or physician.
- Observes and critiques performance of surgical team and reports appropriately.
- Shares in and promptly responds to emergency call.
- Demonstrates cost-consciousness in the use of supplies and equipment.
- NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties as assigned.
- HEALTH/SAFETY/COMPETENCE: Cannot pose a direct threat to health or safety of self or others. Must provide safe, efficient, competent care to customer or patient population assigned. Must demonstrate competency of the unit specific functions described in the performance continuum, skill lists and/or standards.
Qualifications
Education/Knowledge/Skills:
Must have successfully completed an accredited surgical technician course. Must have knowledge of human anatomy, the principles of sterile technique and sterile processing, hospital policies and procedures, infection control, fire and safety regulations. For staff involved in the care of age-specific groups, knowledge of the bio-psychosocial needs of adult, geriatric and pediatric patients is essential. Special knowledge is required in growth and development needs of pediatric/geriatric patients where applicable.
Experience:
Previous experience in job specialty is required or preferred depending on the circumstances of the vacancy.
Licensure/Certifications:
In accordance with National Board of Surgical Tech & Surgical Assisting Guidelines only approved candidates who pass the CST exam are authorized to use the initials CST as long as they maintain certification currency.
Must be currently certified (or scheduled for certification or recertification training according to department guidelines) in CPR/Provider C. BLS strongly preferred.
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Frequently asked questions
Oak Ridge has a growing healthcare sector with steady demand for certified surgical technologists, driven by advanced surgical services at facilities like Covenant Health. The competition is moderate, offering solid opportunities for certified professionals, especially those with experience in specialties such as cardiology and orthopedics.
While national CST certification remains the standard, Oak Ridge employers value BLS certification and familiarity with hospital-specific sterile processing protocols. Familiarity with regional healthcare regulations and continuing education aligned with Tennessee’s medical standards can enhance job prospects locally.
Mastering sterile techniques, intraoperative assistance, and comprehensive knowledge of surgical instruments are critical. Additionally, sharp observational skills for patient condition changes and effective communication with surgical teams distinguish top-performing certified surgical technologists in this specialty.
Career progression often includes advanced certifications, specialization in high-demand surgical fields like neurosurgery or vascular care, and potential transition into supervisory roles. Expanding technical expertise and leadership within surgical teams can also unlock new responsibilities and higher compensation.
Shifts are full-time, averaging 72 hours per pay period with variable schedules, including rotating on-call duties. This schedule demands flexibility and readiness to support multiple specialized surgeries, reflecting Covenant Health’s commitment to comprehensive patient care.
Covenant Health offers resources for certification renewal, including scheduling support for CST exam preparation and CPR/BLS training. Additionally, the hospital encourages ongoing education through access to specialty workshops and multidisciplinary collaboration, fostering continuous skill development.
Certified surgical technologists in Oak Ridge typically earn between $48,000 and $62,000 annually. Covenant Health enhances this with sign-on bonuses up to $20,000 for experienced CSTs, making their compensation package competitive within the regional healthcare technology job market.
Daily tasks include preparing surgical instruments, assisting surgeons intraoperatively with suctioning and suturing, monitoring sterile field integrity, and ensuring patient safety. The role also involves assessing patient needs and coordinating with nursing staff to uphold stringent infection control standards.
Adapting to variable shift patterns and mastering a wide range of specialty surgical procedures can be demanding. New technologists must quickly develop proficiency in equipment handling and intraoperative teamwork while maintaining strict sterility and responding to emergency calls.
Covenant Health fosters a collaborative and patient-centered atmosphere, emphasizing safety and continuous improvement. Surgical technologists benefit from strong interdisciplinary support, ongoing training opportunities, and a commitment to technological innovation that enhances daily surgical practice.