Step into a pivotal role as a Surgical Tech in Carbondale, Illinois, where precision, care, and teamwork converge to support life-changing operations. In this specialty, your steady hands and vigilant attention to sterile technique become the backbone of every procedure, from meticulous instrument preparation and counts to setting the stage for safe, efficient surgeries. You’ll partner with surgeons, nurses, and the broader OR team to ensure equipment readiness, patient safety, and flawless technique in every case. This opportunity invites you to harness your training, expand your clinical repertoire, and make a meaningful impact on patient journeys. Beyond the OR, Illinois offers a blend of outdoor beauty, culture, and community charm. Carbondale sits amid rolling landscapes and forested trails, inviting weekend explorations to the Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park, and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy a vibrant local scene, approachable amenities, and seasonal events that celebrate the arts, local cuisine, and Southern Illinois hospitality. And when you’re ready to explore further, the role also provides the opportunity to work across various locations in the United States, broadening your professional horizons while you build a national network of peers and mentors.

Location benefits go beyond your workstation. Carbondale delivers a supportive, close-knit community with a balance of city amenities and outdoor recreation suited to an active professional lifestyle. You’ll experience the convenience of a midwestern hub that values accessible healthcare, education, and dining, while retaining a hometown feel. For those seeking broader exposure, the arrangement includes the flexibility to work in multiple locations across the U.S., enabling you to immerse yourself in diverse hospital environments, learn different OR cultures, and broaden your clinical toolkit. In Illinois, you’ll enjoy easy access to regional events, galleries, farmers’ markets, and sporting venues, paired with a reasonable commute and a pace that supports work–life balance. The location makes it easy to unwind after shifts with scenic drives, riverfront strolls, and weekend road trips to nearby towns and parks, while keeping you close to major flight routes for occasional travel. This blend of local appeal and nationwide opportunity makes the role uniquely rewarding for a dedicated Surgical Tech who thrives on variety, growth, and service.

In this role, you’ll own core responsibilities that keep the surgical environment safe and efficient, while laying the groundwork for ongoing professional growth within the specialty. You’ll assemble and maintain sterile instrument trays, ensure proper instrument counts, and assist the circulator and surgeon during procedures. Your meticulous setup, turnover, and room-safety checks will help minimize delays and support optimal patient outcomes. You’ll monitor stock levels, assist with autoclaving and instrumentation processing, and participate in pre-op and post-op workflows to deliver seamless patient care. Your engagement goes beyond routine duties: you’ll seek opportunities to refine techniques, learn new specialties, and participate in quality improvement initiatives that elevate the whole surgical team. The assignment offers competitive compensation of $1,787-$1,899 per week, with guaranteed hours of 36 per week, and a projected multi-week duration starting on 11/16/2025. In addition to base pay, you may be eligible for a sign-on bonus, housing assistance, and extension opportunities that recognize your performance and commitment. You’ll have access to comprehensive support, including 24/7 assistance from our travel team while you’re on assignment, ensuring you’re never alone on the road or in the OR.

The company values empowering its staff, prioritizing career advancement and a supportive, respectful work environment. You’ll be part of a culture that celebrates clinicians who invest in patient-centered care, teamwork, and professional development. Expect ongoing coaching, access to mentorship, and clear pathways to expanded responsibilities that align with your interests, whether that means taking on lead tech duties, pursuing cross-training in related specialties, or preparing for next-step roles within the organization. The emphasis on collaboration, recognition, and work-life balance reflects a commitment to your well-being as you deliver high-quality care in diverse settings.

If you’re ready to advance your career while making a tangible difference in patients’ lives, apply now. This is your chance to join a forward-thinking team that values your expertise, supports your growth, and rewards your dedication with competitive pay, meaningful extensions, and robust travel support. Embrace the opportunity to work in Carbondale with the option to explore other locations across the U.S., all while receiving 24/7 assistance, housing support, and a pathway to ongoing professional development. Start date is 11/16/2025, with a multi-week assignment, guaranteed hours, and a compensation package designed to recognize your skills and commitment. Take the next step in your Surgical Tech career—apply today and help shape the future of surgical care.

Thank you for choosing TLC Nursing for your next travel assignment. Let's expedite your submission to the job of your liking by completing your professional profile on our iTraveler app. We invite you to download our iTraveler app from the App Store or Google Play to simplify your travel nursing journey. The iTraveler app streamlines your experience, providing access to job listings, schedules, and important updates at your fingertips. Stay connected with TLC Nursing and take control of your healthcare career with the iTraveler app. We highly recommend our applicants install the iTraveler app along with completing their professional profile and uploading the following documents:

• Resume
• Active BLS
• COVID Vaccination Card
• Two Professional References
• Skills checklist
• Your Professional License

Download the iTraveler app now!

Did you know you can earn up to $1000 per referral? You DO NOT need to be an employee of TLC Nursing to earn this $$$. You can track each of your referrals and get paid out with Visa Gift Cards once your referral meets our requirements. Click Here to Get Started earning unlimited Referral BONUS!!! You DO NOT need to be a current or former employee of TLC Nursing to earn referral bonuses; EVERYONE Qualifies for this BONUS!!!

So, WHY choose to travel with TLC Nursing?

TLC Nursing is your destination for boutique travel nursing jobs. TLC Nursing has the best and the highest paying travel RN, travel LPN, and travel Allied jobs. Discover rewarding careers in travel nursing with TLC Nursing, a nurse-owned and operated travel nursing agency. Our wide range of job listings includes travel nursing jobs, travel allied jobs, travel RN jobs, and travel LPN jobs. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment that fosters growth and development.
At TLC Nursing, we're not just a staffing agency but a healthcare family dedicated to positively impacting our community. Join a dynamic team and become part of a caring community that values your skills, dedication, and contributions.

Why Join TLC Nursing?
Competitive Compensation: Earn the best weekly rates on your assignment. We will beat any offer for the same open position.
Diverse Work Settings: You will experience diverse environments such as acute care, long-term care, schools, clinics, summer camps, and prisons.
Guaranteed Hours: Secure a consistent 36 or 40-hour workweek with opportunities for overtime.

Benefits:
Your Wellbeing Matters: Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance.
25K Life Insurance on day one!
401k with matching contribution.
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Immediate availability of Aflac for your purchase.
Stay Comfortable: Opt for our fully furnished housing, including utilities, or choose a housing stipend.
Unlimited referral bonus!
Access to unlimited continuing education units online.

We are proudly a Nurse-owned and operated travel nurse and travel healthcare staffing agency!

Vermont Business Magazine voted us The Best Staffing Agency in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2017!

TLC Nursing provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.