Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas is seeking a Surgical Technician Student Intern for a per diem, rotating position within its perioperative services department. This hands-on clinical internship places students directly in the operating room alongside experienced surgical and nursing teams, supporting the full continuum of perioperative care across a health system with deep roots in the Rio Grande Valley dating to the early 1920s. The role is structured to build foundational surgical technology competencies in a faith-inspired, community-anchored acute care environment.
Perks and Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits including pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, and auto and home insurance
- Note: benefit eligibility is determined by employment status and location
Practice Highlights
- Per diem, rotating schedule providing exposure across varied surgical and obstetric case types
- Direct patient care support spanning the full age spectrum, from pediatric through geriatric populations
- Hands-on scrub and circulating duties performed under RN direction with documented competency validation
- Operating room setup and teardown responsibilities, including supply and equipment management and maintenance of physician preference cards
- Active participation in sterile field maintenance and infection control protocols throughout all case assignments
- Involvement in perioperative patient transport, hand-offs, and continuity of care across the surgical episode
- Participation in department meetings, in-services, and Performance Improvement activities
- Exposure to more complex treatments and diagnostic procedures as directed by registered nursing staff, with competency documentation
- Operates within the Valley Baptist Health System's established policies, procedures, and Studer Principles service excellence framework
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required
- Current enrollment in an accredited Surgical Technology degree program required
- Successful completion of a basic clinical skills lab required; skills checklist may be used to validate experience
- BLS certification required, obtained through an American Heart Association-approved course
About the Community
Harlingen sits in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas, offering a warm climate year-round, a low cost of living, and a culturally rich bicultural community along the Texas-Mexico border. The city provides convenient access to South Padre Island beaches, the Laguna Madre, and the wildlife refuges of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Corridor — a draw for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Harlingen is approximately 30 miles from Brownsville and within easy reach of McAllen, giving residents access to regional shopping, dining, and international culture while maintaining a close-knit community feel.