OPT Certified Surgical Technologist Jobs
Certified Surgical Technologist jobs on OPT are available at hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialty clinics across the U.S. Most employers require CST certification through the NBSTSA. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to establish yourself, and STEM extension does not apply to this field.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Do you want to join an organization that invests in you as a(an) Lead Certified Surgical Technologist? At St. David's Surgical Hospital, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to support our incredible team members over the course of three years.
JOB SUMMARY AND QUALIFICATIONS
As a Lead Certified Surgical Technologist at HCA Healthcare, you’ll take on a vital leadership role in the OR, guiding your team and ensuring patients receive the safest, most advanced surgical care. Working alongside a highly experienced, collaborative surgical team, you’ll bring order, precision, and confidence to the operating room. With HCA Healthcare’s continued investment in technology, staffing resources, and leadership development, you’ll have everything you need to support your team, provide excellent patient care, and shape your own professional future. Join us!
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading surgical preparation by organizing suites, equipment, and instruments to ensure readiness for every procedure
- Scrubbing in and supporting surgeons through complex cardiac surgeries, anticipating needs and maintaining a safe, sterile environment
- Guiding and mentoring surgical technologists, serving as a role model while training new team members and reinforcing best practices
- Overseeing quality and safety by managing counts, handling specimens, and ensuring compliance with infection prevention standards
- Driving teamwork and efficiency through effective communication, rapid problem-solving, and support for on-call and emergency cases
What qualifications you will need:
Experience
4 years of recent experience as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) with demonstrated competency in multiple inpatient and outpatient surgical specialties
Education
Associates degree from an accredited Surgical Technologist program
Licenses and Certifications
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification per St. David’s Healthcare policy
BENEFITS
St. David's Surgical Hospital 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.
St. David's Surgical Hospital, part of St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, is a specialty hospital focused on surgery. It provides expert care in orthopedic, gynecological, urological, breast, and reconstructive surgery, among other types. Located in North Austin, the hospital has 45+ large inpatient rooms, 10 operating room suites, and an inpatient rehabilitation unit with a therapy gym and 20 private rehab rooms. It also includes an ADL/occupational therapy suite (for helping patients with daily living skills), as well as imaging, pharmacy, lab services, and dedicated teams for nursing, therapy, and leadership.
HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.
"Good people beget good people." - Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
We are a family of 270,000 dedicated professionals! Our Talent Acquisition team is reviewing applications for our Lead Certified Surgical Technologist opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your resume today to join our community of caring!
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.
INTRODUCTION
Do you want to join an organization that invests in you as a(an) Lead Certified Surgical Technologist? At St. David's Surgical Hospital, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to support our incredible team members over the course of three years.
JOB SUMMARY AND QUALIFICATIONS
As a Lead Certified Surgical Technologist at HCA Healthcare, you’ll take on a vital leadership role in the OR, guiding your team and ensuring patients receive the safest, most advanced surgical care. Working alongside a highly experienced, collaborative surgical team, you’ll bring order, precision, and confidence to the operating room. With HCA Healthcare’s continued investment in technology, staffing resources, and leadership development, you’ll have everything you need to support your team, provide excellent patient care, and shape your own professional future. Join us!
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading surgical preparation by organizing suites, equipment, and instruments to ensure readiness for every procedure
- Scrubbing in and supporting surgeons through complex cardiac surgeries, anticipating needs and maintaining a safe, sterile environment
- Guiding and mentoring surgical technologists, serving as a role model while training new team members and reinforcing best practices
- Overseeing quality and safety by managing counts, handling specimens, and ensuring compliance with infection prevention standards
- Driving teamwork and efficiency through effective communication, rapid problem-solving, and support for on-call and emergency cases
What qualifications you will need:
Experience
4 years of recent experience as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) with demonstrated competency in multiple inpatient and outpatient surgical specialties
Education
Associates degree from an accredited Surgical Technologist program
Licenses and Certifications
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification per St. David’s Healthcare policy
BENEFITS
St. David's Surgical Hospital 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.
St. David's Surgical Hospital, part of St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, is a specialty hospital focused on surgery. It provides expert care in orthopedic, gynecological, urological, breast, and reconstructive surgery, among other types. Located in North Austin, the hospital has 45+ large inpatient rooms, 10 operating room suites, and an inpatient rehabilitation unit with a therapy gym and 20 private rehab rooms. It also includes an ADL/occupational therapy suite (for helping patients with daily living skills), as well as imaging, pharmacy, lab services, and dedicated teams for nursing, therapy, and leadership.
HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.
"Good people beget good people." - Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
We are a family of 270,000 dedicated professionals! Our Talent Acquisition team is reviewing applications for our Lead Certified Surgical Technologist opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your resume today to join our community of caring!
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 65+ OPT Certified Surgical Technologist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Certified Surgical Technologist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Certified Surgical Technologist
Obtain or verify your CST credential before applying
Most U.S. employers require NBSTSA certification to hire a surgical tech. If you graduated recently, sit for the CST exam as soon as you're eligible. Certified candidates move through hiring far faster than those still awaiting credentials.
Target hospital systems with established OPT hiring history
Large hospital systems and academic medical centers hire international graduates more regularly than small private clinics. Their HR teams understand OPT work authorization and are less likely to reject your application over visa status questions during screening.
Address your OPT status early and clearly
When a recruiter asks about work authorization, state that you have OPT authorization and are eligible to work without employer sponsorship right now. Framing it as immediate eligibility removes hesitation before it becomes a barrier to moving forward.
Highlight your clinical rotations by specialty and setting
U.S. employers want to know which surgical specialties you scrubbed in during training. List orthopedics, cardiovascular, neurosurgery, or general surgery specifically on your resume. Matching your clinical background to open positions increases your callback rate significantly.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage, not earlier
Surgical tech roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship if the employer treats the position as a specialty occupation. Raise the sponsorship question after you have an offer. Bringing it up during interviews shifts focus away from your qualifications and slows momentum.
Use your OPT period to build a case for long-term sponsorship
Employers are more willing to sponsor visa extensions for staff who have already proven themselves. Perform well, take on additional responsibilities, and document your contributions. A strong track record makes the sponsorship conversation much easier after your first year.
Certified Surgical Technologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Certified Surgical Technologist on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes. OPT authorizes you to work in a role directly related to your field of study without any action from your employer. For surgical tech graduates, a position as a Certified Surgical Technologist qualifies as a valid OPT job. Your employer does not file any petition or pay any government fees during your OPT period.
Does the Certified Surgical Technologist role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
No. Surgical technology programs are classified under CIP code 51.0909, which is not on the STEM OPT designated degree program list. That means your OPT authorization is capped at 12 months. Planning for H-1B sponsorship or another visa pathway before your OPT expires is important if you want to remain in the U.S. long-term.
Can a Certified Surgical Technologist role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
It can, but it requires careful employer documentation. USCIS evaluates whether the specific position requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field as a minimum requirement. Some surgical tech roles meet this threshold, particularly in academic medical centers or specialty surgical programs. An immigration attorney can assess whether your specific job offer is structured to support an H-1B petition.
Where can I find Certified Surgical Technologist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists surgical tech positions with visa sponsorship and OPT-friendly employers. Filtering by role and authorization type helps you focus on employers who have already hired international candidates, saving time compared to applying broadly and encountering rejections based on work authorization status.
What happens if my Certified Surgical Technologist job ends before my OPT expires?
You have a 60-day grace period after your OPT employment ends to find new employment, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the U.S. Unemployment during OPT also counts against a 90-day limit built into your authorization period. Finding a new qualifying position quickly is essential to staying in valid status and preserving your remaining OPT time.