Surgical Technologist Jobs in Iowa
Surgical Technologist jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where large health systems like UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Health Care, and MercyOne operate major surgical programs and hire at every level from new graduate to senior scrub tech. Demand is strongest in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and general surgery, with outpatient surgery centers adding openings alongside the major hospital campuses. Iowa's relatively stable healthcare employment base keeps the market active without the boom-and-bust swings seen in faster-growing states. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 43+ Surgical Technologist jobs
Be an essential part of the surgical team as a Certified Surgical Technologist I, helping deliver safe, high-quality patient care in the operating room. In this role, you will prepare and maintain a sterile surgical environment, assist with patient preparation, and support surgeons throughout procedures by anticipating needs and handling instruments and specimens. You’ll uphold strict infection control and safety standards while contributing to continuous learning and team efficiency to support the best possible patient outcomes.
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities:- Play a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality surgical care by preparing operating rooms, verifying instruments and equipment, and ensuring readiness based on surgeon preference cards.
- Support patient preparation through scrubbing, draping, and positioning, and assisting intraoperatively by passing instruments, holding retractors, applying suction, and supporting the surgical team as needed.
- Maintain strict sterile technique, perform surgical counts, handle specimens appropriately, and ensure accurate documentation.
- Serve as a second circulator under RN direction when required.
- Clean and restock operating rooms between cases, ensuring all supplies and instruments are properly prepared for the next procedure.
- Support infection prevention and safety standards while identifying and reporting concerns.
- Adhere to HIPAA, OSHA, AORN, AAMI, and DNV guidelines to maintain a safe surgical environment.
- Collaborate with surgical teams, support new staff and learners as a preceptor when needed and contribute to ongoing education and quality improvement initiatives that advance evidence-based surgical practice.
- High School diploma or GED required.
- Graduate from an accredited education program for Surgical Technology, OR graduate from an appropriate training program in the US Armed Forces OR Medical Certification OR completion of accredited LPN program required.
- Previous surgical technologist or equivalent experience preferred.
- Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) required.
- Certified required within one (1) year of hire through one of the following:
- Certified Surgical Technologist - National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
- Tech in Surgery - National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
- Licensed Practical Nurse in the state(s) where providing care required.
- IA Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.
- IL Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.
- IA Adult Dependent Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.
- IL Adult Dependent Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.
Be an essential part of the surgical team as a Certified Surgical Technologist I, helping deliver safe, high-quality patient care in the operating room. In this role, you will prepare and maintain a sterile surgical environment, assist with patient preparation, and support surgeons throughout procedures by anticipating needs and handling instruments and specimens. You’ll uphold strict infection control and safety standards while contributing to continuous learning and team efficiency to support the best possible patient outcomes.
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities:- Play a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality surgical care by preparing operating rooms, verifying instruments and equipment, and ensuring readiness based on surgeon preference cards.
- Support patient preparation through scrubbing, draping, and positioning, and assisting intraoperatively by passing instruments, holding retractors, applying suction, and supporting the surgical team as needed.
- Maintain strict sterile technique, perform surgical counts, handle specimens appropriately, and ensure accurate documentation.
- Serve as a second circulator under RN direction when required.
- Clean and restock operating rooms between cases, ensuring all supplies and instruments are properly prepared for the next procedure.
- Support infection prevention and safety standards while identifying and reporting concerns.
- Adhere to HIPAA, OSHA, AORN, AAMI, and DNV guidelines to maintain a safe surgical environment.
- Collaborate with surgical teams, support new staff and learners as a preceptor when needed and contribute to ongoing education and quality improvement initiatives that advance evidence-based surgical practice.
- High School diploma or GED required.
- Graduate from an accredited education program for Surgical Technology, OR graduate from an appropriate training program in the US Armed Forces OR Medical Certification OR completion of accredited LPN program required.
- Previous surgical technologist or equivalent experience preferred.
- Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) required.
- Certified required within one (1) year of hire through one of the following:
- Certified Surgical Technologist - National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
- Tech in Surgery - National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
- Licensed Practical Nurse in the state(s) where providing care required.
- IA Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.
- IL Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.
- IA Adult Dependent Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.
- IL Adult Dependent Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required.
See All 43 Surgical Technologist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Surgical Technologist JobsSurgical Technologist Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- The University of Iowa14
- UnityPoint Health8
- MercyOne6
- FirstChoice3F
- Mercy Cedar Rapids2
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in surgical technologist jobs across Iowa.
- Graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program required
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from NBSTSA preferred or required
- Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required before start date
- One or more years of scrub experience in an intraoperative setting preferred
- Demonstrated proficiency in sterile field maintenance and instrument passing
- Ability to work rotating shifts, call shifts, and weekends in a hospital setting
Surgical Technologist Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a surgical technologist in Iowa?
Iowa does not require a state-issued license for surgical technologists, but nearly all Iowa hospital employers require graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program and the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Community colleges such as Kirkwood Community College and Des Moines Area Community College offer accredited programs in Iowa. The CST exam is the practical threshold that moves candidates from eligible to hired in this state.
How much do surgical technologists make in Iowa?
Surgical technologists in Iowa earn a median of about $60,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $47,280 for the lowest 10% to over $75,100 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire surgical technologists in Iowa?
Employers hiring surgical technologists in Iowa right now include The University of Iowa, UnityPoint Health, and MercyOne, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Iowa's major health systems tend to post the most consistently across their hospital campuses and affiliated outpatient surgery centers throughout the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most surgical technologist jobs?
Iowa City, Davenport, and Cedar Rapids have the most surgical technologist openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors the market as the state's largest metro with multiple major health system campuses, while Iowa City draws steady volume from University of Iowa Health Care, a large academic medical center that runs high-acuity surgical programs drawing candidates from across the region.
Are there remote surgical technologist jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Surgical technology is a hands-on, intraoperative role that requires physical presence in the operating room, so fully remote positions are uncommon by nature. About 0% of surgical technologist openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and the roles that carry any flexibility are typically in surgical education, clinical coordination, or sterile processing supervision rather than direct scrub work.
How can I get hired as a surgical technologist in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate hiring programs at large Iowa health systems such as UnityPoint Health or University of Iowa Health Care, both of which bring on new CST graduates and provide structured OR onboarding. Candidates who have worked as certified nursing assistants, sterile processing technicians, or surgical technologist students on clinical rotation are consistently prioritized. Holding an active CST credential and completing clinical hours in a high-volume Iowa facility before graduation gives applicants the clearest edge when competing for limited new-grad slots.
Where can I find and apply to surgical technologist jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to surgical technologist jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across hospital systems, surgery centers, and specialty practices. Search the listings, find the roles that match your credentials and location, and apply directly through each posting.
See All 43 Surgical Technologist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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