Surgical Technologist Jobs in Illinois
Surgical Technologist jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in hospital systems, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialty surgery practices from entry-level scrub tech positions through senior first-assist roles. Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria account for the largest share of openings, anchored by major employers such as Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and OSF HealthCare. The most in-demand specialties in Illinois include orthopedic, cardiovascular, and general surgery. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Are you a certified surgical technologist that has a passion for patient care? Do you have a desire to work in the healthcare field, but still have work/life balance - with NO nights, weekends, or holidays?
We are looking for difference makers to join our growing Ambulatory Surgery Center Team!
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Starting hourly range of $30.00 per hour depending on experience and education
- 6.5 paid holidays per year
- PTO after the first 60 days of employment
- Full slate of benefits to include health, dental, and 401k
The Surgical Scrub Technician assists the surgeon and nursing staff in rendering professional care to patients undergoing surgical procedures within the surgical center in accordance with established guidelines.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Prepare operating room, ensuring that all of the equipment needed for the procedure is properly disinfected and assembled; and check to ensure equipment is in working order.
- Assist surgeon and surgical staff during procedure by passing sterile instruments, supplies, sutures as needed and in such a manner so that their attention is not diverted from the operative field.
- Observe strict aseptic technique throughout the entire procedure and reports breaks in technique to the circulating nurse and surgeon.
- Isolate soiled or contaminated instruments and supplies to minimize the spread of infection.
- Receive specimen and prepare it for laboratory.
- Clean and restocking operating room following each procedure.
- Maintain inventory of surgical supplies.
- Perform other duties and assume various responsibilities as determined by the Director of Nursing and Doctor(s).
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- High school graduate or equivalent.
- Current certification in Cardiac Life Support is required.
- Completion of Surgical Technician training program and minimum of one year related work experience in operating room is required. Any equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience that fulfills the requirements of the position will be considered.
- Current Surgical Technology certification.
- Membership in surgical specialty society encouraged.
COMPETENCIES: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Support and fulfill the mission of the organization.
- Respond to organizational changes required to achieve strategic objectives.
- Provide appropriate, timely, and comprehensive quality service. Demonstrate knowledge of department specific infection control, disaster, and safety policies.
- Provide effective and appropriate communications with all persons served. Demonstrate listening skills, receive and deliver feedback, direction, and coaching in a respectful and professional manner.
- Provide and maintain customer satisfaction.
- Cultivate personal growth and development. Demonstrate initiative by seeking, or accepting new and additional responsibilities outside the realm of assigned duties.
- Maintain internal and external standards for continuing education and/or certification. Identify and maintain required knowledge and skill sets to deliver quality service.
- Support and maintain appropriate departmental goals. Use sound judgment in solving problems specific to work area. Demonstrate willingness to train new employees.
- Provide a safe, functional, supportive and effective environment for all patients, staff members and other individuals utilizing CLI facilities. Protect patients from harm and report risk management concerns.
- Proactive, adaptable, with the ability to work well under pressure/stressful situations in a fast paced environment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT (per ADA guidelines):
- Physical Activity: Standing for sustained periods of time, Stooping, Grasping, Lifting, Talking, Hearing.
- Physical requirements: Light work. Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs on a regular basis from floor to waist, 5 lbs from waist to shoulder, and 5 lbs from shoulder to overhead.
- The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform each activity.
- The worker may be exposed to the following hazards:
- Blood borne pathogens
- Communicable diseases
- Chemicals
- Steam
- Pressurized cylinders
- Sharp objects
- Moving parts of equipment
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:
- Staff members are required to meet training expectations within the initial 90-day orientation period. This training includes instructional sessions on mechanical equipment, optical math, and optical physics, surgical technology, along with education on basic optical terminology and ocular diseases.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 70 Surgical Technologist Jobs in Illinois
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Find Surgical Technologist JobsSurgical Technologist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Endeavor Health10

- Carle Health7

- UChicago Medicine6

- OSF HealthCare5

- MercyOne3

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in surgical technologist jobs across Illinois.
- Active CST certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting required
- Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program recognized by CAAHEP or ABHES
- Minimum one to two years of operating room scrubbing experience preferred by most employers
- Demonstrated proficiency scrubbing orthopedic, cardiovascular, or general surgery procedures
- Current BLS certification from the American Heart Association required at hire
- Ability to handle instruments, supplies, and equipment in a sterile field during procedures
Surgical Technologist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a surgical technologist in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license for surgical technologists, but nearly all employers require national certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, which awards the Certified Surgical Technologist credential. To sit for that exam, candidates must complete an accredited surgical technology program recognized by CAAHEP or ABHES. Many Illinois community colleges and hospital-based programs offer those accredited pathways.
How much do surgical technologists make in Illinois?
Surgical technologists in Illinois earn a median of about $64,650 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $48,560 for the lowest 10% to over $91,890 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire surgical technologists in Illinois?
Employers hiring surgical technologists in Illinois right now include Endeavor Health, Carle Health, and UChicago Medicine, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems and the density of ambulatory surgical centers in the Chicago metro mean openings appear regularly across both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Which Illinois cities have the most surgical technologist jobs?
Springfield, Peoria, and Chicago have the most surgical technologist openings in Illinois. Chicago's concentration of academic medical centers and specialty hospitals drives the largest share of demand, while Rockford and Peoria are anchored by regional systems such as OSF HealthCare and Mercyhealth that serve broad catchment areas and maintain active OR staffing needs throughout the year.
Are there remote surgical technologist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Surgical technology is a hands-on, sterile-field role performed in operating rooms and procedure suites, so the vast majority of positions require on-site presence. About 0% of surgical technologist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those tend to be limited to education, training coordination, or surgical technology instructor roles rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a surgical technologist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing an accredited program at an Illinois community college such as Triton College or Malcolm X College, which include clinical rotations that count as hands-on experience. Large Illinois systems like Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Health Care hire new graduates into structured OR orientation programs. Candidates coming from sterile processing or surgical nursing assistant roles also have a strong internal transfer path and should emphasize that adjacent OR exposure when applying.
Where can I find and apply to surgical technologist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to surgical technologist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 70 Surgical Technologist Jobs in Illinois
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