About this role
Surgical Technologist Clinical Director (Full-Time)
Location: Seattle, WA (Seattle Campus) | On-Site & Clinical Affiliates
Type: Full-Time | Salaried Exempt
Department: Surgical Technology
Reports To: Program Director
Compensation: $85,120 – $106,405 per year
Position Summary
Seattle's surgical community needs well-trained, confident Surgical Technologists—and you are the leader who will make that happen!
Pima Medical Institute is seeking a dynamic Surgical Technologist Clinical Director to lead the clinical education component of our CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program at our Seattle campus. In this role, you will bridge classroom learning with hands-on OR experience, holding true autonomy to build strong clinical partnerships across Seattle's top hospitals and surgery centers while mentoring future STs to be day-one ready.
Key Responsibilities
1. Clinical Network Development & Site Management:
• Partner Development: Secure new clinical rotation sites and negotiate contractual agreements with local hospitals and surgery centers (e.g., Swedish, UW Medicine, Virginia Mason, ASCs). Maintain all clinical contracts to ensure they remain current, viable, and aligned with accreditation standards.
• Clinical Scheduling & Orientation: Coordinate student scheduling, site placements, orientation, and learning objectives for each clinical rotation.
• Preceptor Relations: Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with site instructors and clinical preceptors.
2. Student Retention & Mentorship:
• Academic Guidance: Monitor student progress, competency evaluations, and clinical records, intervening early with tailored support for at-risk students.
• Student Retention: Work problem-solving strategies with students facing barriers (skill gaps, transportation, scheduling) to maintain an institutional student success rate of 80%+ across program classes.
3. Clinical Quality & Evaluation:
• Site Visits: Visit clinical sites regularly to observe, evaluate, and document student clinical performance and progress.
• Record Keeping: Grade clinical coursework, maintain student records, and ensure complete accuracy in final module grades and transcripts per policy.
4. Curriculum & Didactic Instruction:
• Teaching & Instruction: Prepare lesson plans and deliver high-quality instruction in surgical technology methods, techniques, and lab scenarios.
• Curriculum Alignment: Coordinate didactic and clinical education, recommending curriculum revisions to the Program Director based on evolving OR industry standards (e.g., robotics, minimally invasive surgery).
5. Administrative & Program Leadership:
• Admissions Support: Assist the Program Director with interviewing and evaluating student applicants for program admission.
• Safety & Compliance: Enforce all safety guidelines, biohazard protocols, and regulatory mandates across classroom, lab, and clinical site environments.
Minimum Qualifications
• Education: Associate degree in Surgical Technology from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program (or equivalent military training). Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Practical Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of occupational experience in the operating room scrub role within the last five (5) years OR three (3) years of experience as an instructor in a surgical technology program.
• Certification: Current NCCA-accredited Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential.
• Licensure: Active state license, certification, or registration as required by local, state, or federal laws to work as a Surgical Technologist in Washington State.
• Technical Skills: Strong written/verbal communication skills and functional proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Preferred Qualifications:
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience as an instructor in a CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program.
Compensation & Employee-Owner Benefits
• Compensation: $85,120 to $106,405 annual salary + Annual Executive Performance Bonus Structure.
• Ownership: Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)—become a stakeholder in our 100% employee-owned company.
• Retirement: 401(k) Plan with employer matching options.
• Health & Wellness: Expanded Healthcare Coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision), Health & Wellness Programs, and EAP.
• Professional Growth: Tuition Reimbursement opportunities and ongoing professional development support.