Clinical Coordinator

Position Title

Clinical Coordinator – Surgical Technology & Surgical First Assist

Description

At Chattanooga College MDTC, the Clinical Coordinator – Surgical Technology & Surgical First Assist will help implement our strategy of “Where a small school can make a BIG difference!!”

The Clinical Coordinator will provide guidance and supervision to Surgical Technology and Surgical First Assist students to support student learning, skill development, and clinical placement. This includes responsibilities such as securing clinical affiliations, instructing in skills and simulation labs, maintaining scrub/case log requirements, and acting as a primary liaison between the program and healthcare facilities (e.g., hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and outpatient surgical suites).

Ideal candidates must have excellent interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and listening skills. Candidates must be able to adapt to a fast-paced work environment and manage multiple priorities and changing assignments. This is a professional position supporting the Allied Health Department. This role requires considerable interaction with students, faculty, operating room staff, and clinical partners through individual meetings, group sessions, and on-site clinical visits.

The Clinical Coordinator is expected to possess extensive knowledge of surgical instruments, aseptic technique, perioperative practices, healthcare technology, and clinical contract requirements. They must be able to interpret individual student needs, provide personalized support, and work effectively with individuals in high-pressure surgical environments. Employees in this role can expect to supervise individuals regarding clinical performance and surgical competency, assist with decision-making related to clinical placements, and help guide students toward successful programmatic outcomes and certification readiness.

This position requires maintaining strict confidentiality and accurate records to ensure compliance with ACCSC accreditation standards, Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology/Surgical Assisting guidelines, institutional policies, and federal regulations (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA). The role may also support institutional events such as Orientation, Graduation, workshops, or outreach activities. A strong commitment to equity, access, and success for underrepresented or at-risk populations is essential.

Responsibilities

• Cultivates and expands clinical partnerships by securing new institutional affiliation agreements with hospitals and surgery centers aligned with Surgical Technology and Surgical First Assist program learning outcomes, while maintaining existing relationships.
• Coordinates and schedules student clinical rotations and surgical specialty assignments (e.g., General, Orthopedics, OB/GYN, Neuro, Cardiovascular) ensuring appropriate preceptor-to-student supervision and clinical capacity.
• Verifies, tracks, and audits student surgical case counts (scrubbed, second-scrub, and observation cases) to ensure strict compliance with ACCSC, NBSTSA, and national curriculum standards.
• Integrates perioperative clinical experiences that actively facilitate high-level critical thinking, sterile technique adherence, and surgical patient safety models within the curriculum.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for the Surgical Technology & Surgical First Assist program regarding clinical issues, scheduling conflicts, OR dress codes, or modifications requested by clinical affiliate partners.
• Conducts regular, documented on-site clinical site visits and evaluations to monitor student progress, review case logs, and evaluate clinical preceptor performance.
• Assists with the recruitment, onboarding, and orientation of clinical adjunct faculty and preceptors on program objectives, evaluation instruments, and ACCSC standards.
• Actively participates as a core member of the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) in accordance with ACCSC requirements.
• Communicates and enforces clinical compliance measures, health clearance requirements (immunizations, drug screens, background checks), CPR/BLS certifications, and HIPAA mandates for students and faculty.
• Implements institutional and departmental strategic priorities centered on clinical placement efficiency, student retention, graduate employment readiness, and holistic program evaluation.
• Counsels, advises, and supports students through individual and group sessions to address academic, clinical performance, or sterile field competency concerns.
• Educates students and faculty on institutional resources, academic policies, clinical procedures, surgical suite etiquette, and professional behavioral expectations.
• Deploys technological solutions and tracking software to optimize scheduling, case log verification, program access, and student success.
• Completes all mandatory institutional professional development and annual ACCSC training requirements.
• Supports department-wide initiatives, including assisting with the planning and execution of Orientation, Graduation, certification exam preparation, and specialized workshops.
• Maintains accurate documentation, student health files, and clinical affiliation files in strict compliance with institutional policies, ACCSC accreditation benchmarks, and federal regulations (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA).
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary departments to increase student engagement, retention, and graduation rates, particularly for at-risk populations.
• Provides appropriate referrals for students facing personal, social, financial, or academic challenges that may impair their programmatic success.
• Upholds absolute confidentiality regarding student records, patient data, institutional data, and clinical partner agreements.
• Remains current on evolving ACCSC guidelines, NBSTSA certification standards, AST (Association of Surgical Technologists) standards of practice, healthcare compliance mandates, and surgical industry innovations.
• Collaborates closely with the Program Director to ensure seamless operational, clinical, and academic alignment.

*Please note: This job description is not exhaustive, and additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and public presentation skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with surgeons, perioperative managers, clinical preceptors, students, faculty, staff, and external partners
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in verbal and written formats
• Knowledge of perioperative concepts, aseptic technique, surgical instrumentation, and clinical workflow
• Knowledge of ACCSC accreditation standards regarding clinical documentation, advisory committees, and student learning outcomes
• Ability to use technology to support services, including Microsoft Office, clinical tracking software, student information systems, and learning management systems
• Meticulous attention to detail, record-keeping, and case log verification

Education & Experience

Education or Training:

• Associate degree in Surgical Technology required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Current, active CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) or CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assist) credential through NBSTSA (or equivalent recognized national credential) required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of operating room experience as a Surgical Technologist or Surgical First Assist required.
• Experience in clinical coordination, preceptor supervision, or post-secondary instruction in an ACCSC-accredited institution preferred.

Other Requirements

Please submit a 2–5 minute video response summarizing your qualifications, interest in the position, and the reason you feel you would be the right fit to careers@chattanoogacollege.edu. Applications that do not include the required materials will not be reviewed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Chattanooga College MDTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Chattanooga College MDTC encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences and is dedicated to providing equal access to employment opportunities.