Onboarding plan
Surgical Technologist Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new surgical technologist from first day to full productivity.
Surgical Technologist onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: CST (NBSTSA), TS-C (NCCT) (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: back table and Mayo stand setups; surgical instrument trays (retractors, hemostats, scissors, forceps); electrosurgical units; suction and irrigation systems
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Surgical Technologist training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Maintain sterile technique and speak up about any break in sterility
- Pass sharps using a neutral zone or with clear communication
- Use smoke evacuation for electrosurgery to reduce exposure to surgical plume
- Follow counts and time-out protocols on every case
- Shadow an experienced surgical technologist through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: perform a surgical hand scrub
- Supervised practice: gown and glove using closed gloving
- Supervised practice: perform a surgical count
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Prepare operating rooms with sterile instruments, equipment and supplies: independently
- Perform surgical scrub and gown and glove themselves and the surgical team: independently
- Set up and maintain the sterile field throughout the procedure: independently
- Pass instruments, sutures and supplies to the surgeon, anticipating needs: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, CST (NBSTSA))
- Discuss the career path: Surgical Technologist → Specialty or Lead Surgical Tech → Certified Surgical First Assistant
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform a Surgical Hand Scrub | |||
| Gown and Glove Using Closed Gloving | |||
| Perform a Surgical Count | |||
| Aseptic technique and sterile field maintenance | |||
| Surgical instrument identification | |||
| Surgical counts | |||
| Gowning and gloving |
How to measure onboarding success
- Days until the new hire works without a preceptor
- Competency sign-offs completed on time
- Documentation or charting error rate
- 90-day retention
How Surgical Technologist training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Surgical Technologist Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Surgical Technologist Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Surgical Technologist Career
- Final Knowledge Check