Certified Surgical Tech (CST) - Operating Room - Days
- Days
- BLS
How this pay compares
This posting states $21.46–$33.26 an hour. Open surgical technologist jobs in Virginia post a median of $37.51 an hour, the middle half $31.79–$38.93, across 65 jobs that state their pay, so this one is below the middle half of what they post. Surgical technologists employed in Virginia earn a median of $32.49 an hour (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).
Surgical technologists in Virginia: pay by town and employer
Workplace injuries
VCU Health System in Richmond reported 737 work injuries and illnesses to OSHA for 2025 over 27,757,549 hours worked: 5.3 per 100 full-time workers, against 5.1 per 100 full-time workers at general hospitalsnationwide. 18 of them describe violence by a patient, resident or client in the case's own words. This is the employer's own report. Workplace injuries by employer.
Medicare rating of VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital
Medicare gives VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital 4 of 5 stars (Jul 2026; Virginia's hospitals average 3.7). 82% of its patients said their nurses always communicated well (the middle US hospital: 79%). Medicare did not cut its pay for patient harm in fiscal 2026. Patients' ratings of their care, not employees' of the job. Its other hospitals · Virginia hospitals by rating.
What Virginia requires of a surgical technologist
Certified surgical technologist (state certification), from the Virginia Board of Medicine.
- Certification by the Board is needed to use the title surgical technologist. Routes: accredited program plus a current NBSTSA CST credential, military training, a registered apprenticeship, a Board-approved hospital program, or practice before 1 Oct 2022 with registration by 31 Dec 2023.
Surgical tech and sterile processing jobs in our research
- How long these jobs stay listed: Median days to removal 20.0 days · Still listed at 7 days 72.0%
- Applicant demand per open job on this site (1.00x is the average job): Index 1.37x · Clicks 22
- How often these jobs state their pay: Jobs stating any pay 51.3% · Stating an hourly rate 39.2%
From every open job we read and every apply click on this site, as of 10 Nov 2026. Every figure for Surgical tech and sterile processing jobs
About the job
Surgical Services consists of 3 operating room suites, 1 Endoscopy suite (2 rooms), 1 Pain Procedure Room, 8 bed Pre-op, and 3 bed PACU. The Operating Room delivers quality patient care to both inpatients and outpatients. Surgical services is an outpatient department but can manage urgent and emergent cases 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Procedure types performed include but not limited to Orthopedics, Laparoscopy, General surgery, Vascular, Urology, and Podiatry. Surgical services skill mix includes RNs, LPN’s, surgical technologists, attendants, specialty area technicians, sterile processing, materiel management tech, and support staff such as schedulers. Although most patients are adults, we provide care for all ages of the continuum-from the adolescent to the geriatric. Surgical Services has a very supportive and team-oriented culture to ensure we provide the best quality care to patients.
4 Nine hours shifts (Flexible)
Call - 1 hour return time
1 weekend per month Fri, Sat, Sun and 2-3 shifts per week Shift is 4:30-7a
(mix of first call and buddy call)
Surgical Technologist (operating room scrub technician) sets up sterile field, gathers supplies for surgical cases, based on knowledge of instruments and equipment to be used. Surgical Technologist (operating room scrub technician) may pass instruments to surgeons.
The Surgical Technologist (operating room scrub technician) performs count procedures per policy during surgical cases. This position functions under the direct supervision of an RN.
Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire:
Registered by the State Board of Medicine and Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) or Certified Operating Room or Surgical Technician (CORST) certification.
Certification or Registration Requirement for Continued Employment:
Registration by the Virginia State Board of Medicine, Current AHA, BLS, HCP Certification Current CST; TS-C or CORST required
Experience REQUIRED:
0-2 years experience as a surgical technologist
Experience PREFERRED:
Experience working in an acute care setting as a nursing assistant or aide, if no surgical technologist experience
Education/training REQUIRED:
High School Diploma or equivalent
Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technology Program or military training program or Licensed Practical Nursing Program or Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program (RN Interns Only)
Education/training PREFERRED: N/A
Independent action(s) required:
Functions under the direction of RN or independent practitioner in providing indirect patient care, emotional support and problem solving, all in accordance with hospital, nursing and unit policies and procedures.
Requires prior approval or guidance from supervisor for time/schedule changes, legal issues, direct care which deviates from the standard and identification of educational resources to meet developmental needs.
Job duties may include the handling, transportation, access to and/or contact with medications and related supplies.
Supervisory responsibilities (if applicable): N/A
Additional position requirements:
Surgical Technologists work all three shifts, weekends and holidays.
Individual shift rotation and schedules will be established with employee’s specific Nurse Manager/Clinical Coordinator.
Schedules, including requirements of shift rotations and hours of work may be adjusted as necessary to meet staffing requirements or in the best interests of the work unit.
Takes call for routine cases after completing probationary period.
Age Specific groups served:
As appropriate based on unit assignment.
Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):
Physical: Lifting 50-100 lbs.
Other: describe - exposure to potentially hazardous and infectious substances
Activities: Prolonged standing, Prolonged sitting, Frequent bending, Walking (distance), Climbing (steps, ladder, other), Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive, Repetitive motion
Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking
Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent change
Compensation Ranges:
Surgical Tech I: $21.46 - $33.26
Surgical Tech II: $23.18 - $35.92
Surgical Tech III: $25.03 - $38.79
Actual Salary offers will be based on several key factors to include relevant work experience, credentials, and qualifications.
Days
EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran
From VCU Health's job posting, checked 10 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About VCU Health
VCU Health is Virginia Commonwealth University's academic health system, including the 820 (source: VCU College of Health Professions, VCU Health)-bed VCU Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Richmond plus community hospitals in South Hill and Tappahannock, Virginia. Source: VCU College of Health Professions, VCU Health
Based in Richmond, VAHires in VirginiaPay on its listings: 65.7% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
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