Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California is recruiting a per diem Surgical Technologist for night shift coverage in its operating room. Desert Regional anchors the Desert Care Network — a three-hospital system serving the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin — and holds designation as a Level 1 Trauma Center, housing the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley alongside a comprehensive stroke program and a dedicated cancer center. This is a hands-on scrub role working directly with surgeons across a high-acuity, full-service OR environment in one of Southern California's most distinctive desert communities.
Perks and Benefits
- Per diem employment with night shift scheduling
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (eligibility based on employment status)
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Continuing education and career development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits: pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, auto and home insurance
Practice Highlights
- Night shift, per diem position embedded in a Level 1 Trauma Center OR — high acuity, broad case mix
- Scrub role: anticipates surgeon needs, passes instruments and supplies, and maintains the sterile field throughout each procedure
- Responsible for picking supplies and instrumentation, setting up sterile fields, and selecting specialty instrumentation per case requirements
- Participates in maintenance and accuracy of surgeon preference cards
- Performs accurate counts of sponges, sharps, and instruments in compliance with accepted hospital protocols
- Assists with patient draping and positioning; supports room preparation alongside the circulating RN
- Handles, labels, and passes medications to the surgeon under direct RN supervision
- Participates in sterilization, disinfection, and between-case cleaning processes; maintains infection control standards throughout
- Part of the Desert Care Network — a regional system that also includes JFK Memorial Hospital (Indio) and Hi-Desert Medical Center (Joshua Tree), offering broad institutional resources and potential for cross-site exposure
- Network-level advanced services include comprehensive stroke care, oncology, Level 1 Trauma, and the region's only Level 3 NICU
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED required; equivalent years of experience or a higher level of education accepted in lieu
- Completion of a formal OR Surgical Technology training program required
- Current American Heart Association BLS certification required and must be maintained at all times
- Certification as an Operating Room Technician (CST or equivalent) preferred
- Minimum one year of operating room experience preferred
About the Community
Palm Springs sits at the western edge of the Coachella Valley in Southern California's Sonoran Desert — a year-round destination known for its mid-century modern architecture, world-class golf, hiking in the San Jacinto Mountains, and a vibrant arts and dining scene. The region offers a lower cost of living relative to coastal Southern California metros, with Los Angeles and San Diego each reachable within two hours. The desert climate, outdoor lifestyle, and culturally rich community make Palm Springs a compelling destination for healthcare professionals seeking both professional opportunity and quality of life.