Operating Room Technician Jobs in Tennessee
Operating Room Technician jobs in Tennessee are concentrated in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, where health systems like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare, and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare maintain large surgical departments across multiple facilities. Demand is strongest for technicians with experience in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and general surgery service lines, and openings range from new-graduate positions through senior scrub tech and team lead roles. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 60+ Operating Room Technician jobs
Stroke response times nearly half of the national average. Cutting-edge SPOT Technology that detects sepsis earlier than the human eye. An Enhanced Surgical Recovery program that reduces opioid prescriptions and post-surgical readmissions. As a national learning health system, we're transforming care delivery, advancing clinical outcomes, and empowering our nursing teams in a collaborative effort to give people a healthier tomorrow. Join us!
Job Summary and Qualifications
Position Details:
The Nurse Residency Program focuses on training licensed Registered Nurses with no prior operating room experience to work in the intra-operative environment. This program is open to nurses who are either new graduates or seasoned nurses with a non-surgical background. This internship prepares nurses with the foundational skills that are essential for providing safe patient care in the operating room.
This program is open to all Nashville area TriStar medical centers including Centennial, Summit, Southern Hills, StoneCrest, Horizon, Skyline, Hendersonville, Greenview and NorthCrest. Residents from all facilities will start the program as a cohort and attend didactic classroom days together. Clinical hours will be completed in the intern’s facility and department of hire. For example, if you are hired to work at Skyline, all your clinical hours will be completed at Skyline. An active nursing license in good standing for the state of your hiring facility (Tennessee or Kentucky) is required to begin the program.
Clinical Expectations
During the 5-month program, interns will work five 8-hour days (Monday – Friday). Alternative shifts will be at the discretion of the hiring manager after completion of the program. Clinical start times may vary depending on the schedule of your preceptor. For example, if your preceptor starts their shift at 0630, you will be expected to start at 0630. This program helps you develop the foundational skills of the perioperative RN. You will still be a novice when you graduate and will continue to gain specialty experiences following completion of the program. Departmental and service line orientation will build on foundational skills learned in the internship program. Regular rounding and progress meetings will be set with the course instructors, preceptors, and managers to track the resident’s progress.
Time and Attendance
Attendance and punctuality are required during the didactic portions of the program. Exceptions for clinical will be made on a case-by-case basis. Missing a day of lecture/simulation is not permitted. For clinical days, please refer to your facility’s attendance policy.
Completion Criteria
Nurse Residents must demonstrate successful completion of the following criteria in order to graduate from the internship:
- Completion of all course assignments and objective assessments
- Final grade of 75% or greater
- Professionalism Requirement
- Attend at least one Middle Tennessee Chapter AORN meeting Residents that do not meet the above criteria must meet with surgery management, preceptor, and education team to develop an individualized action plan, which may include remediation, reassignment, or resignation from the program.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long is the Periop Nurse Residency Program? The program is 5 months long. This blended-learning program combines didactic, online modules, lab, and clinical hours. Upon completion of the residency program, residents will orient to their hired unit/specialty until competency is demonstrated.
What are the hours of the training? During the program, hours are five 8-hour days (Monday – Friday). Clinical will be held at resident’s hired facility. Overtime hours during the program are not typically permitted without management approval. Alternative shifts (3 12-hour, 4 8-hour) will be at the discretion of the hiring manager after program has ended. The program schedule is subject to change.
Am I considered an employee while in the program? Yes. You are hired as an employee before the program begins and start earning wages on the first day of the program.
Will I know where I will be working after the training? You will complete your clinical in the department that you will work in after training. Your primary service line will be determined near the end of the program, based on the needs of the department. Flexibility will be required regarding service line, shift, holiday or weekend hours when needed. You may be expected to cover holiday call and late stay call upon completion of your orientation. This may involve evenings, nights or weekend shifts.
During the program, may I observe in other surgical departments? This is at the discretion of your hiring manager.
How long will I be working with a preceptor? You will be assigned to a preceptor until competency is validated and you have completed all orientation checklists.
How will my competency be determined? Residents will have an orientation binder that contains specific criteria for validation of competency on specific skills in the Circulating role. The Intern will be responsible for obtaining documentation from the preceptor to determine competency in the clinical area. Progress meetings will be held with the Manager, Educator, and preceptor to provide feedback and set goals.
How long does it take to be prepared to work independently in my role? This will depend on service line complexity and individual progression. The average length of orientation, including program, is 6 months.
What are the responsibilities of a Circulating nurse? Responsibilities of the Circulator include but are not limited to: • Management of personnel, equipment, supplies, and environment during surgical procedure • Patient care including assessment, assisting the anesthesia team, positioning, prepping, and documentation • Manages flow of information as well as supplies to and from the surgical team members scrubbed at the field
What are the responsibilities of a scrub nurse? Will this be part of my training? The scrub nurse is responsible for assisting the surgeon and assistants with instrumentation, set-ups, suture presentation, sponges, etc., while maintaining the sterility of the surgical field through aseptic practices. The primary focus of this program is to train you to be a circulating nurse. Whether you are trained to scrub is determined by facility.
May I take vacation time during the program? Vacations are not granted during the didactic portion of the program. Completion criteria for the program includes attendance to all required classroom lectures, simulations, and skills days. Exceptions for clinical will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Will this role prepare me for a goal of becoming a CRNA? No. A CRNA program requires critical care experience rather than OR experience. It would be better to pursue an ICU unit if becoming a CRNA is your personal goal.
Will this role prepare me for a goal of becoming an RNFA? Yes. This experience will prepare you for the goal of becoming an RNFA if desired. First, however, you must obtain two years of full-time hours and become certified (CNOR). After that you will be eligible to pursue RNFA programs.
Will this internship prepare me for OR Certification (CNOR)? Yes. You will be eligible for certification after 2 years/2400 hours of OR experience. This program teaches AORN standards, so graduates of this program are well prepared to sit for certification.
What you will do in this role:
- Evaluate patients prior to surgery
- Provide patient and family education surrounding the procedure and peri-operative process
- Assume responsibility for patient preparation, including intravenous therapy, preoperative medications, and surgical site verification
- Participate in surgical site verification, including briefing, time out, debriefing, and universal protocols, according to hospital policy
- Recognize and respond to patient emergencies
- Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while managing evidence-based practices and continuous improvement initiatives
- Be an integral member of a dynamic interdisciplinary team – consisting of the provider(s), surgeons, surgical technologists and more
- Consistently apply the nursing process, critical thinking skills, scientific judgment, technical skills and leadership to independently deliver safe nursing care to patients
- Assess patient condition, monitor throughout your shift, and document changes in patient condition along with the care provided thoroughly
- Educate patients and families/caregivers about the patient’s medical condition, treatment and follow-up measures
What qualifications you will need:
- (RN) Registered Nurse
- Associate Degree
- Advanced Cardiac Life Spt, or ACLS Instructor must be obtained within 90 days of employment start date
- Basic Cardiac Life Support, or BCLS Instructor must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date
- PALS Pediatric Adv Life Supt, or PALS Instructor must be obtained within 90 days of employment start date
- At least 1 year of RN experience required. Any specialty.
Benefits
TriStar Horizon Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
- Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
- Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
- Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
- Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
- Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
TriStar Horizon Medical Center is an accredited, 150+ bed regional medical center. We offer a full array of services. These include cardiology and diagnostic imaging. These include emergency, inpatient rehabilitation. Also including oncology, orthopedics, and women’s services. We are an Accredited Chest Pain Center and a Primary Stroke Center. TriStar Horizon is a leading provider of emergency heart and stroke care. Our satellite campus, TriStar Natchez, offers imaging and oncology services. They offer a 24/7, full-service ER that provides the same services as our main campus emergency room.
HCA Healthcare has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute for ten consecutive years (2010-2019). In 2019, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.
"The great hospitals will always put the patient and the patient's family first, and the really great institutions will provide care with warmth, compassion, and dignity for the individual."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
Join a family that cares about every stage in your career! We are interviewing candidates for our Operating Room Nurse Internship opening. Apply today and a member of our Talent Acquisition team will reach out.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Stroke response times nearly half of the national average. Cutting-edge SPOT Technology that detects sepsis earlier than the human eye. An Enhanced Surgical Recovery program that reduces opioid prescriptions and post-surgical readmissions. As a national learning health system, we're transforming care delivery, advancing clinical outcomes, and empowering our nursing teams in a collaborative effort to give people a healthier tomorrow. Join us!
Job Summary and Qualifications
Position Details:
The Nurse Residency Program focuses on training licensed Registered Nurses with no prior operating room experience to work in the intra-operative environment. This program is open to nurses who are either new graduates or seasoned nurses with a non-surgical background. This internship prepares nurses with the foundational skills that are essential for providing safe patient care in the operating room.
This program is open to all Nashville area TriStar medical centers including Centennial, Summit, Southern Hills, StoneCrest, Horizon, Skyline, Hendersonville, Greenview and NorthCrest. Residents from all facilities will start the program as a cohort and attend didactic classroom days together. Clinical hours will be completed in the intern’s facility and department of hire. For example, if you are hired to work at Skyline, all your clinical hours will be completed at Skyline. An active nursing license in good standing for the state of your hiring facility (Tennessee or Kentucky) is required to begin the program.
Clinical Expectations
During the 5-month program, interns will work five 8-hour days (Monday – Friday). Alternative shifts will be at the discretion of the hiring manager after completion of the program. Clinical start times may vary depending on the schedule of your preceptor. For example, if your preceptor starts their shift at 0630, you will be expected to start at 0630. This program helps you develop the foundational skills of the perioperative RN. You will still be a novice when you graduate and will continue to gain specialty experiences following completion of the program. Departmental and service line orientation will build on foundational skills learned in the internship program. Regular rounding and progress meetings will be set with the course instructors, preceptors, and managers to track the resident’s progress.
Time and Attendance
Attendance and punctuality are required during the didactic portions of the program. Exceptions for clinical will be made on a case-by-case basis. Missing a day of lecture/simulation is not permitted. For clinical days, please refer to your facility’s attendance policy.
Completion Criteria
Nurse Residents must demonstrate successful completion of the following criteria in order to graduate from the internship:
- Completion of all course assignments and objective assessments
- Final grade of 75% or greater
- Professionalism Requirement
- Attend at least one Middle Tennessee Chapter AORN meeting Residents that do not meet the above criteria must meet with surgery management, preceptor, and education team to develop an individualized action plan, which may include remediation, reassignment, or resignation from the program.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long is the Periop Nurse Residency Program? The program is 5 months long. This blended-learning program combines didactic, online modules, lab, and clinical hours. Upon completion of the residency program, residents will orient to their hired unit/specialty until competency is demonstrated.
What are the hours of the training? During the program, hours are five 8-hour days (Monday – Friday). Clinical will be held at resident’s hired facility. Overtime hours during the program are not typically permitted without management approval. Alternative shifts (3 12-hour, 4 8-hour) will be at the discretion of the hiring manager after program has ended. The program schedule is subject to change.
Am I considered an employee while in the program? Yes. You are hired as an employee before the program begins and start earning wages on the first day of the program.
Will I know where I will be working after the training? You will complete your clinical in the department that you will work in after training. Your primary service line will be determined near the end of the program, based on the needs of the department. Flexibility will be required regarding service line, shift, holiday or weekend hours when needed. You may be expected to cover holiday call and late stay call upon completion of your orientation. This may involve evenings, nights or weekend shifts.
During the program, may I observe in other surgical departments? This is at the discretion of your hiring manager.
How long will I be working with a preceptor? You will be assigned to a preceptor until competency is validated and you have completed all orientation checklists.
How will my competency be determined? Residents will have an orientation binder that contains specific criteria for validation of competency on specific skills in the Circulating role. The Intern will be responsible for obtaining documentation from the preceptor to determine competency in the clinical area. Progress meetings will be held with the Manager, Educator, and preceptor to provide feedback and set goals.
How long does it take to be prepared to work independently in my role? This will depend on service line complexity and individual progression. The average length of orientation, including program, is 6 months.
What are the responsibilities of a Circulating nurse? Responsibilities of the Circulator include but are not limited to: • Management of personnel, equipment, supplies, and environment during surgical procedure • Patient care including assessment, assisting the anesthesia team, positioning, prepping, and documentation • Manages flow of information as well as supplies to and from the surgical team members scrubbed at the field
What are the responsibilities of a scrub nurse? Will this be part of my training? The scrub nurse is responsible for assisting the surgeon and assistants with instrumentation, set-ups, suture presentation, sponges, etc., while maintaining the sterility of the surgical field through aseptic practices. The primary focus of this program is to train you to be a circulating nurse. Whether you are trained to scrub is determined by facility.
May I take vacation time during the program? Vacations are not granted during the didactic portion of the program. Completion criteria for the program includes attendance to all required classroom lectures, simulations, and skills days. Exceptions for clinical will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Will this role prepare me for a goal of becoming a CRNA? No. A CRNA program requires critical care experience rather than OR experience. It would be better to pursue an ICU unit if becoming a CRNA is your personal goal.
Will this role prepare me for a goal of becoming an RNFA? Yes. This experience will prepare you for the goal of becoming an RNFA if desired. First, however, you must obtain two years of full-time hours and become certified (CNOR). After that you will be eligible to pursue RNFA programs.
Will this internship prepare me for OR Certification (CNOR)? Yes. You will be eligible for certification after 2 years/2400 hours of OR experience. This program teaches AORN standards, so graduates of this program are well prepared to sit for certification.
What you will do in this role:
- Evaluate patients prior to surgery
- Provide patient and family education surrounding the procedure and peri-operative process
- Assume responsibility for patient preparation, including intravenous therapy, preoperative medications, and surgical site verification
- Participate in surgical site verification, including briefing, time out, debriefing, and universal protocols, according to hospital policy
- Recognize and respond to patient emergencies
- Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while managing evidence-based practices and continuous improvement initiatives
- Be an integral member of a dynamic interdisciplinary team – consisting of the provider(s), surgeons, surgical technologists and more
- Consistently apply the nursing process, critical thinking skills, scientific judgment, technical skills and leadership to independently deliver safe nursing care to patients
- Assess patient condition, monitor throughout your shift, and document changes in patient condition along with the care provided thoroughly
- Educate patients and families/caregivers about the patient’s medical condition, treatment and follow-up measures
What qualifications you will need:
- (RN) Registered Nurse
- Associate Degree
- Advanced Cardiac Life Spt, or ACLS Instructor must be obtained within 90 days of employment start date
- Basic Cardiac Life Support, or BCLS Instructor must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date
- PALS Pediatric Adv Life Supt, or PALS Instructor must be obtained within 90 days of employment start date
- At least 1 year of RN experience required. Any specialty.
Benefits
TriStar Horizon Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
- Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
- Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
- Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
- Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
- Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
TriStar Horizon Medical Center is an accredited, 150+ bed regional medical center. We offer a full array of services. These include cardiology and diagnostic imaging. These include emergency, inpatient rehabilitation. Also including oncology, orthopedics, and women’s services. We are an Accredited Chest Pain Center and a Primary Stroke Center. TriStar Horizon is a leading provider of emergency heart and stroke care. Our satellite campus, TriStar Natchez, offers imaging and oncology services. They offer a 24/7, full-service ER that provides the same services as our main campus emergency room.
HCA Healthcare has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute for ten consecutive years (2010-2019). In 2019, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.
"The great hospitals will always put the patient and the patient's family first, and the really great institutions will provide care with warmth, compassion, and dignity for the individual."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
Join a family that cares about every stage in your career! We are interviewing candidates for our Operating Room Nurse Internship opening. Apply today and a member of our Talent Acquisition team will reach out.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
See All 60 Operating Room Technician Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsOperating Room Technician Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operating Room Technician Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operating room technician jobs across Tennessee.
- Active CST credential through NBSTSA or equivalent certification recognized in Tennessee
- Completion of an accredited surgical technology program or comparable military training
- Demonstrated scrubbing experience across general and specialty surgical procedures
- Ability to maintain sterile field and follow AORN perioperative standards consistently
- BLS certification from the American Heart Association current and on file
- Willingness to rotate through call shifts and weekend coverage as needed by facility
Operating Room Technician Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operating room technician in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not require a state-issued license for surgical technologists, but most hospitals and surgical centers require the Certified Surgical Technologist credential issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. To earn it, complete an accredited surgical technology program at a school like Tennessee College of Applied Technology or Volunteer State Community College, then pass the CST exam. Many Tennessee employers will not hire without the CST or active enrollment in an accredited program.
Which companies hire operating room technicians in Tennessee?
Tennessee operating room technician roles are posted by Voyage Health, HealthTrust Workforce Solutions, and American Traveler and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's large integrated health systems and independent surgical centers post frequently, particularly in the Nashville and Memphis corridors where surgical volume is among the highest in the Southeast.
Which Tennessee cities have the most operating room technician jobs?
Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga account for the largest share of operating room technician openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because it serves as the headquarters for HCA Healthcare and hosts Vanderbilt University Medical Center, while Memphis draws volume from its major academic and regional referral centers, and Knoxville reflects the concentration of University of Tennessee Medical Center and surrounding community hospitals.
Are there remote operating room technician jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Operating room technician work is inherently hands-on and performed inside a sterile surgical environment, making full remote work nearly impossible for core scrub duties. About 0% of operating room technician openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be in adjacent functions like surgical technology education, clinical coordination, or supply and instrument management roles.
How can I get hired as a operating room technician in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing an accredited surgical technology program, since Tennessee employers including HCA-affiliated hospitals and community health systems regularly hire new graduates from those programs into scrub tech roles. Candidates transitioning from surgical processing technician, central sterile supply, or OR orderly positions have a practical advantage and can apply to entry-level scrub tech openings. Earning the CST credential before or shortly after graduating strengthens any application significantly, even without extensive operating room hours.
Where can I find and apply to operating room technician jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to operating room technician jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Tennessee employers. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 60 Operating Room Technician Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs