Surgical Technologist I -Operating Room 75%25 (Downtown Campus)
Boost your chances before you apply.
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA, US
Summary
The surgical technologist prepares the surgical area, anticipates the needs of the surgical team, and ensures proper handling of equipment and instruments. They also assist with patient care, maintain aseptic standards, and serve as a preceptor for new staff.
Job Description
Qualified candidates may be eligible for a sign-on incentive of up to $5,000. Current UI employees are not eligible.
UI Health Care is recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives. ®
A career with University of Iowa Health Care is more than a job. Here, you’re part of something greater, something bigger. Our downtown campus is a 194-bed hospital (located at 500 E Market Street, Iowa City) providing a community-based model of care while directly connected to the expertise, technology, collaboration, and support of our entire health system. Join the team at our downtown campus. You’ll find meaning and purpose knowing that your work helps make all of Iowa better.
Duties to Include:
- Prepare surgical area for patient care and anticipate the needs of the surgical team
- Apply knowledge related to emergency situations and surgical procedures in the operating room
- Demonstrate understanding of principles of medical and surgical asepsis; recognize and communicate breaks in aseptic technique
- Provide for proper care and handling of equipment, instruments, supplies and implants (E/I/S/I)
- Demonstrate knowledge of various surgical equipment and advanced surgical instrumentation
- Demonstrate competency in performance of delegated technical functions and clinical activities, in accordance with institutional policies
- Assist with the provision of patient care with regard to the patient's condition and age
- Exhibit high level of collaboration with peers in making decisions related to surgical patient care
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills in relations to anticipating the needs of the patient and surgeon
- Implement measures to prevent potential patient problems/complications and reports unusual incidents
- Assist with documentation according to department/division standard under the direction of the Registered Nurse
- Perform computer functions within scope of role as defined by the individual unit
- Serve as primary preceptor to orient new staff and/or student technologists to scrubbing duties
- Serve as a mentor and positive role model to new employees and other surgical team members
- Practice standard precautions in infection control in accordance with institutional policy
- Follow changes in patient care protocol based on research findings
- Participate in and contribute to unit staff meetings and in-service programs
- May participate in perioperative initiatives or shared governance committees
- Perform other special projects and tasks as assigned
Percent of Time: 75%25
Schedule: (3) 10 hour day shifts, plus call
Location: Downtown Campus
Merit Pay Plan: https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/pay-plans/merit-pay-plan
Pay Differentials: Shift differentials for evening and night.
Benefits Highlights: Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. Relocation Assistant available to qualified applicants. https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits
For more information about Why Iowa?, click here
Required Qualifications:
- Satisfactory completion of a vocational or military course in surgical technology, or certification as a surgical technologist.
Desired Qualifications:
- Preferred candidates will have direct patient care experience in an operating room. Experience working in a health care environment. Able to scrub surgical procedures. Strong written communication skills.
Please attach a resume as part of the application process. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. For questions or additional information, please contact Emilio Villagrana at [email protected]
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
Our WE CARE Values
Welcoming: We have an environment where everyone has a voice that is heard, promotes dignity, and allows all to thrive in health, work, research, and education.
Excellence: We achieve and deliver our personal and collective best in the pursuit of quality and accessible health care, education, and research.
Collaboration: We collaborate with health care systems, providers, and communities across Iowa and the region, as well as within our UI community. Teamwork, guided by compassion, is the best way to work.
Accountability: We behave ethically, act with fairness and integrity, take responsibility for our actions, and respond when errors in behavior or judgment occur.
Respect: We create an environment where every individual feels safe, valued, and respected, supporting the well-being and success of all members of our community.
Empowerment: We commit to fair access to research, health care, and education for our community, along with opportunities for personal and professional growth for our staff and learners.
Mission
Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.
As Iowa’s comprehensive academic health system, University of Iowa Health Care:
• Provides high-quality primary and specialty care to patients and families across Iowa and the region
• Educates and trains the next generation of physicians, biomedical scientists, and health care professionals
• Advances research that improves understanding of human health and leads to new treatments and therapies
• Partners with communities to expand access, improve health outcomes, and strengthen overall well-being
Vision
To be among the nation’s best in medical education, biomedical research, and patient care—improving the health and well-being of Iowans and communities we serve.
Recognitions/ Awards
Named to Forbes America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals (2025) and included in additional Forbes employer rankings for workplace excellence and early-career opportunities.
Founded
1904
Company size
10,001+ employees
Industry
Hospitals and Health Care
Org type
Educational
Headquarters
Iowa City, Iowa
Our WE CARE Values
Welcoming: We have an environment where everyone has a voice that is heard, promotes dignity, and allows all to thrive in health, work, research, and education.
Excellence: We achieve and deliver our personal and collective best in the pursuit of quality and accessible health care, education, and research.
Collaboration: We collaborate with health care systems, providers, and communities across Iowa and the region, as well as within our UI community. Teamwork, guided by compassion, is the best way to work.
Accountability: We behave ethically, act with fairness and integrity, take responsibility for our actions, and respond when errors in behavior or judgment occur.
Respect: We create an environment where every individual feels safe, valued, and respected, supporting the well-being and success of all members of our community.
Empowerment: We commit to fair access to research, health care, and education for our community, along with opportunities for personal and professional growth for our staff and learners.
Mission
Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.
As Iowa’s comprehensive academic health system, University of Iowa Health Care:
• Provides high-quality primary and specialty care to patients and families across Iowa and the region
• Educates and trains the next generation of physicians, biomedical scientists, and health care professionals
• Advances research that improves understanding of human health and leads to new treatments and therapies
• Partners with communities to expand access, improve health outcomes, and strengthen overall well-being
Vision
To be among the nation’s best in medical education, biomedical research, and patient care—improving the health and well-being of Iowans and communities we serve.
Recognitions/ Awards
Named to Forbes America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals (2025) and included in additional Forbes employer rankings for workplace excellence and early-career opportunities.
Founded
1904
Company size
10,001+ employees
Industry
Hospitals and Health Care
Org type
Educational
Headquarters
Iowa City, Iowa