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 JobsLocation: Carmel, IN
Facility: Ascension St. Vincent
Department/Specialty: Surgery
Schedule: Day Full-time Four (10-hour) shifts, Monday through Friday 8:30am-10pm.
COMPENSATION
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
- Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepares surgical operating suite with sterile drapes and sterile solutions as well as appropriate sterile and non-sterile instruments and supplies.
- Hands required/requested instruments and supplies to surgeon during surgery.
- Assists with preparing, transporting, positioning and draping patients.
- Maintains instruments in an organized manner and monitors/tracks instruments counts throughout procedures.
LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION / REGISTRATION
Required Credential(s):
- One or more of the following:
- Surgical Tech credentialed from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
- Surgical Tech credentialed from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
- One or more of the following:
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- Instructor specializing in Basic Life Support obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
Education
High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
Location: Carmel, IN
Facility: Ascension St. Vincent
Department/Specialty: Surgery
Schedule: Day Full-time Four (10-hour) shifts, Monday through Friday 8:30am-10pm.
COMPENSATION
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
- Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepares surgical operating suite with sterile drapes and sterile solutions as well as appropriate sterile and non-sterile instruments and supplies.
- Hands required/requested instruments and supplies to surgeon during surgery.
- Assists with preparing, transporting, positioning and draping patients.
- Maintains instruments in an organized manner and monitors/tracks instruments counts throughout procedures.
LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION / REGISTRATION
Required Credential(s):
- One or more of the following:
- Surgical Tech credentialed from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
- Surgical Tech credentialed from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
- One or more of the following:
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- Instructor specializing in Basic Life Support obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
Education
High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
See all 79+ 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.