Kelly Hodge
Waldorf
Summary
Highly accomplished Certified Surgical Technologist with over 23 years of progressive experience in acute-care operating room environments, including Level I and Level II trauma centers. Possesses extensive expertise in General Surgery with broad procedural exposure across Orthopedics, Vascular, Robotic-assisted surgery, Plastics, Neurosurgery, ENT, and OB/GYN. Recognized for exceptional sterile technique, precise scrub support, and the ability to anticipate surgeon and surgical team needs in high-acuity settings. Demonstrates a calm, focused demeanor under pressure, strong interdisciplinary communication skills, and a patient-centered approach to care. Highly adaptable to fast-paced operating rooms and available for day shifts.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Contract Certified Surgical Technologist (PRN)
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital
Fort Belvoir
03.2015 - Current
- Prepare operating rooms for surgical procedures by assembling, sterilizing, and organizing instruments, supplies, and equipment in accordance with case requirements, surgeon preference cards, and hospital protocols.
- Maintain a sterile field throughout surgical procedures, strictly adhering to aseptic technique, infection prevention standards, and patient safety guidelines.
- Assist surgeons by anticipating procedural needs and passing instruments, sutures, sponges, and surgical supplies accurately and efficiently.
- Perform, verify, and document surgical counts (instruments, sponges, sharps) in compliance with hospital policy and regulatory standards.
- Maintain professional competency through continuing education, certification renewal, and ongoing training related to surgical services and EHR systems.
Travel Certified Surgical Technologist
Winchester Medical Center
Winchester
11.2025 - 02.2026
- Prepare operating rooms by assembling and sterilizing surgical instruments and equipment according to procedural requirements.
- Perform surgical scrub and maintain strict sterile technique throughout surgical procedures.
- Assist surgeons and the surgical team by passing instruments, sponges, and supplies during surgery.
- Assist with specimen collection, labeling, and documentation within Epic for proper processing.
- Participate in surgical safety protocols, including time-outs and checklist compliance, documenting completion as required in Epic.
- Comply with Winchester Medical Center policies, infection control protocols, and Joint Commission standards.
- Respond efficiently and calmly during emergency surgeries and high-pressure situations, maintaining sterile field integrity and documentation accuracy.
- Assisted surgeons during procedures by preparing instruments and sterile supplies.
- Maintained sterile environment by adhering to infection control protocols.
- Assisted surgeons during operative procedures by anticipating their needs and passing instruments.
Travel Certified Surgical Technologist
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
Fairfax
10.2023 - 02.2024
- Prepare operating rooms for scheduled surgical procedures by assembling, sterilizing, and organizing instruments, supplies, and equipment according to case requirements and surgeon preference cards.
- Maintain a sterile field throughout surgical procedures, adhering to aseptic technique, infection prevention standards, and hospital policies.
- Assist surgeons by anticipating procedural needs and passing instruments, sutures, sponges, and supplies accurately and efficiently.
- Perform and document surgical counts (sponges, sharps, instruments) in compliance with hospital and regulatory standards.
- Operate and manage specialized surgical equipment and technology, ensuring functionality and availability throughout procedures.
- Handle surgical specimens appropriately and ensure correct labeling, documentation, and transfer per policy.
- Ensure compliance with Joint Commission standards, AORN guidelines, OSHA regulations, and Inova Health System policies.
- Participate in safety briefings, time-outs, and quality improvement initiatives to promote optimal surgical outcomes.
- Report equipment issues, supply shortages, or safety concerns promptly and document appropriately.
- Support orientation and training of new staff by providing guidance on surgical techniques, sterile practices, and Epic/Cerner documentation workflows.
Travel Certified Surgical Technologist
George Washington University Hospital
Washington
11.2022 - 03.2023
- Prepare operating rooms for scheduled and emergent surgical procedures by assembling, sterilizing, and organizing instruments, supplies, and specialized equipment according to surgeon preference cards and trauma protocols.
- Maintain a sterile field at all times, adhering to aseptic technique, infection prevention standards, and hospital policies in both routine and trauma cases.
- Assist surgeons during a wide range of surgical procedures, including Level I trauma, emergency, and complex specialty cases, by anticipating needs and passing instruments, sutures, sponges, and supplies efficiently.
- Perform, verify, and document surgical counts (instruments, sharps, sponges) accurately in compliance with hospital and regulatory standards, including during high-pressure trauma situations.
- Support rapid room turnover and immediate response for emergency and trauma activations.
- Handle, label, and transport surgical specimens according to hospital policy, ensuring proper documentation and chain-of-custody requirements.
- Collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesia Center standards, Joint Commission requirements, AORN guidelines, OSHA regulations, and hospital policies.
- Participate in trauma activations, surgical time-outs, safety briefings, and multidisciplinary debriefings.
- Report adverse events, equipment malfunctions, and safety concerns promptly and document per hospital protocol.
Contract Surgical Technician
Holy Cross Germantown Hospital
Germantown
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Prepared surgical instruments and equipment for labor and delivery procedures.
- Assisted obstetricians during cesarean sections and vaginal deliveries.
- Maintained sterile environment in the operating room throughout procedures.
- Maintained a sterile field by setting up instruments, passing instruments to the surgeon, and ensuring the correct tools were available for each procedure.
- Restocked supplies used during labor and delivery procedures following completion of each case.
Travel Certified Surgical Technologist
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore
02.2022 - 05.2022
- Prepare operating rooms for scheduled and emergent surgical procedures, ensuring all instruments, supplies, and specialized equipment are sterilized, organized, and ready according to surgeon preference cards and trauma protocols.
- Maintain strict aseptic technique and sterile field integrity throughout all surgical and trauma procedures.
- Assist surgeons during complex and emergent cases, including Level I trauma activations, by anticipating surgical needs and passing instruments, sutures, sponges, and other surgical supplies efficiently.
- Perform, verify, and document surgical counts (instruments, sharps, sponges) in compliance with hospital policy and regulatory standards.
- Support rapid room turnover and emergent case preparation for trauma and critical surgical patients.
- Handle, label, and transport surgical specimens appropriately, ensuring accurate documentation and chain-of-custody compliance.
- Access and maintain surgeon preference cards, trauma-specific case setup requirements, and procedural workflows.
- Ensure compliance with Level I Trauma Center standards, Joint Commission requirements, AORN guidelines, OSHA regulations, and Johns Hopkins Hospital policies.
- Participate in trauma activations, surgical time-outs, safety briefings, and multidisciplinary debriefings following emergency procedures.
- Support orientation and mentorship of new surgical technologists, residents, and students, emphasizing trauma workflows and Cerner documentation practices.
- Maintain professional competencies through continuing education, trauma-specific training, and ongoing Cerner system training.
- Trauma Level: Level I
Certified Surgical Technologist
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Washington
07.2016 - 12.2021
- Prepare operating rooms for scheduled, urgent, and emergent surgical procedures by assembling, sterilizing, and organizing instruments, supplies, and specialized equipment in accordance with surgeon preference cards and trauma protocols.
- Maintain strict sterile technique and ensure continuous integrity of the sterile field throughout all surgical and trauma cases.
- Assist surgeons during complex surgical procedures, including Level I trauma activations, by anticipating procedural needs and efficiently passing instruments, sutures, sponges, and supplies.
- Perform, verify, and document surgical counts (instruments, sharps, sponges) accurately and in compliance with hospital policy and regulatory standards, including during high-acuity trauma cases.
- Support rapid room setup and turnover to accommodate emergency and trauma-related surgical cases.
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot advanced surgical and trauma-related equipment and technology.
- Properly handle, label, and transport surgical specimens, ensuring accurate documentation and adherence to chain-of-custody requirements.
- Collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesia
- Ensure compliance with Level I Trauma Center standards, Joint Commission requirements, AORN guidelines, OSHA regulations, and MedStar Health policies and procedures.
- Participate in surgical time-outs, activations, safety briefings, and post-case debriefings to promote patient safety and quality improvement.
- Report equipment malfunctions, supply shortages, adverse events, and safety concerns promptly and in accordance with hospital protocols.
- Assist in orienting and mentoring new surgical technologists, residents, and students, with a focus on trauma workflows and Cerner documentation processes.
- Maintain professional competency through continuing education, trauma-specific training, certification renewal, and ongoing Cerner system education.
- Trauma Level: Level I
Certified Surgical Technologist (Permanent)
UNC Healthcare
Chapel Hill
10.2002 - 09.2014
- Prepare operating rooms for scheduled, urgent, and emergent surgical procedures by assembling, sterilizing, and organizing instruments, supplies, and specialized equipment in accordance with surgeon preference cards and Level I trauma protocols.
- Maintain strict sterile technique and ensure continuous integrity of the sterile field throughout all surgical and trauma cases.
- Assist surgeons during complex procedures, including Level I trauma activations, by anticipating procedural needs and efficiently passing instruments, sutures, sponges, and surgical supplies.
- Perform, verify, and document surgical counts (instruments, sharps, sponges) accurately and in compliance with hospital policy and regulatory standards, including during high-acuity trauma cases.
- Support rapid operating room setup and turnover to accommodate emergency and trauma-related surgical cases.
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot advanced surgical and trauma-related equipment and technology.
- Properly handle, label, and transport surgical specimens, ensuring accurate documentation and adherence to chain-of-custody requirements.
- Collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, trauma surgeons, residents, fellows, perioperative nurses, and multidisciplinary care teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Utilize Epic electronic health record (EHR) systems to review patient demographics, trauma alerts, surgical schedules, physician orders, allergies, laboratory results, and imaging studies.
- Ensure compliance with Level I Trauma Center standards, Joint Commission requirements, AORN guidelines, OSHA regulations, and UNC Health policies and procedures.
- Maintain professional competency through continuing education, trauma-specific training, certification renewal, and ongoing Epic system education.
- Trauma Level: Level I
Education
Diploma - Surgical Technology
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NCSkills
- Surgical Scrub & Advanced Sterile Technique
- Instrumentation Management, Setup & Maintenance
- Case Cart Preparation & Preference Card Accuracy
- Trauma & Acute Care OR Support (Level I & II)
- General Surgery (Open & Minimally Invasive)
- Orthopedics
- Vascular
- Robotic-Assisted Surgery
- Plastics
- Neurosurgery
- ENT
- OB/GYN Surgical Support
- Infection Control
- Aseptic Practices
- Sterile Field Integrity
- Anticipation of Surgical Team Needs
- Patient Safety
- Accurate Sponge, Sharps & Instrument Counts
- Specimen Handling
- Precepting
- Strong Professional Communication in High-Stress Environments
- Adaptability to High-Acuity, Fast-Paced OR Setting
- Policy Adherence
- Availability for Day Shifts
- On-Call
- Weekends
- Holidays
Certification
- Certified Surgical Tech, #100272689, 02/22/28
- BLS, 10/31/27
Gap Reason
Personal reason (Moved out of state), 09/14, 02/15
Previous Experience
Certified Surgical Technologist, UNC Healthcare, Chapel Hill, NC, 10/02, 09/14, Prepare operating rooms for scheduled, urgent, and emergent surgical procedures by assembling, sterilizing, and organizing instruments, supplies, and specialized equipment in accordance with surgeon preference cards and Level I trauma protocols., Maintain strict sterile technique and ensure continuous integrity of the sterile field throughout all surgical and trauma cases., Assist surgeons during complex procedures, including Level I trauma activations, by anticipating procedural needs and efficiently passing instruments, sutures, sponges, and surgical supplies., Perform, verify, and document surgical counts (instruments, sharps, sponges) accurately and in compliance with hospital policy and regulatory standards, including during high-acuity trauma cases., Support rapid operating room setup and turnover to accommodate emergency and trauma-related surgical cases., Set up, operate, and troubleshoot advanced surgical and trauma-related equipment and technology., Properly handle, label, and transport surgical specimens, ensuring accurate documentation and adherence to chain-of-custody requirements., Collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, trauma surgeons, residents, fellows, perioperative nurses, and multidisciplinary care teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes., Utilize Epic electronic health record (EHR) systems to review patient demographics, trauma alerts, surgical schedules, physician orders, allergies, laboratory results, and imaging studies., Accurately document perioperative and trauma-specific data in Epic, including procedure times, surgical counts, supplies utilized, implant tracking, and trauma activation details., Access and maintain surgeon preference cards, trauma case setup requirements, and procedural workflows within Epic., Verify patient identification, procedure details, and informed consent using Epic, including appropriate documentation for emergent trauma situations., Communicate real-time case status, room readiness, and workflow updates through Epic to support coordinated trauma and surgical operations., Ensure compliance with Level I Trauma Center standards, Joint Commission requirements, AORN guidelines, OSHA regulations, and UNC Health policies and procedures., Participate in surgical time-outs, trauma activations, safety briefings, and post-case debriefings to promote patient safety and quality improvement., Report equipment malfunctions, supply shortages, adverse events, and safety concerns promptly and in accordance with hospital protocols., Assist in orienting and mentoring new surgical technologists, residents, and students, with a focus on trauma workflows and Epic documentation processes., Maintain professional competency through continuing education, trauma-specific training, certification renewal, and ongoing Epic system education.
Timeline
Travel Certified Surgical Technologist
Winchester Medical Center
11.2025 - 02.2026
Travel Certified Surgical Technologist
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
10.2023 - 02.2024
Travel Certified Surgical Technologist
George Washington University Hospital
11.2022 - 03.2023
Contract Surgical Technician
Holy Cross Germantown Hospital
08.2022 - 12.2022
Travel Certified Surgical Technologist
Johns Hopkins Hospital
02.2022 - 05.2022
Certified Surgical Technologist
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
07.2016 - 12.2021
Contract Certified Surgical Technologist (PRN)
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital
03.2015 - Current
Certified Surgical Technologist (Permanent)
UNC Healthcare
10.2002 - 09.2014
Diploma - Surgical Technology
Wake Technical Community College