NI-Technologist, Surgical

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

11/17/2025

Entity:

Illinois

Job Code:

NI-3150AC

Job Title:

NI-Technologist, Surgical

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

As a scrubbed member of the operating room team, plans for surgical cases, and prepares the surgical field with sterile instruments and supplies specific to each type of case.  Directly assists the surgeon within the sterile field during surgery while anticipating the surgeon's needs throughout.  Manages specimens, monitors medications on field.   Continually familiarizes self and other team members with newly developed surgical devices/equipment.  Subject matter expert on surgical sterility; directly advocates for patient safety and infection prevention.  Takes on-call shifts as required.  Participates in continuous quality improvement activities and educational experiences in support of departmental and divisional nursing philosophy and objectives, as well as, Health System initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Plans for, obtains and opens necessary equipment and supplies for assigned procedures, consulting surgeon’s preference card and other available resources.

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Performs surgical scrub process, gowns and gloves and prepares the sterile field for procedure according to hospital policy. Maintains and monitors aseptic technique, reporting all observed breaks. When not scrubbed, functions as an assisting member of the operating team.

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In conjunction with the circulating nurse, counts instruments, blades, needles and sponges and other surgical items according to established policy and procedures.

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Passes instruments and supplies to the surgeon during procedure, anticipating his/her needs; holds retractors, provides visualization using surgical scopes, cuts suture.

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Assists in the education process of new employees, students and co-workers.

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Performs all aspects of care in an environment that optimizes patient and environmental safety and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and compliance efforts.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

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Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program, a recognized military surgical technologist training program, or possess two years of related clinical experience in a military setting.

Required

or

For employees hired before January 2022, no minimum education required.

Required

Certification as a Surgical Technologist preferred at time of hire; required within 1 year of assuming position.  In lieu of certification, will consider five years of surgical technologist experience and successful completion of surgical technologist education program or other education program which includes aseptic techniques and operative procedures. 

Required

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Required

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Demonstrated knowledge of aseptic technique.

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Familiarity with medical terminology, microbiology, and human anatomy/physiology.

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Familiarity with procedural steps of each type of surgery and the specific anatomy involved.

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Detail oriented.

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Good organizational and critical thinking skills.

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Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10 lbs.

Negligible Weight

No Weight

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Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

Negligible weight

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Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

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Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

51-100 lbs.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

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Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100 lbs.

Over 50 lbs.

Over 25 lbs.

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.