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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Job Summary
Assists in care of patients of all ages before, during and after surgical procedures by performing scrub duties and related functions as a member of the surgical team on a novice to advanced beginner level completing identified job competencies. Maintains patient safety, privacy and confidentiality. Complies with legal aspects of patient care. Complies with sterilization standards and standards for handling sharps or contaminated instruments. Participates in quality improvement activities and completes hospital required education annually.
Bonus
This position is bonus eligible, follow this link for details.
Accountabilities
- Prepares for surgical procedures by collecting necessary supplies and instruments according to Surgeon Preference Card. - 15%
- Prepares the Operating Room for cases by opening sterile supplies, setting up table, arranging instruments and supplies according to type of case. - 10%
- Assists the surgical team during the operative procedure. Assists in maintaining correct count of instruments, needles and sponges. Identifies and cares for specimens. Handles drugs and solutions under direction of the RN. - 45%
- Cleans and prepares rooms between procedures and terminally clean at the end of the day. Returns unused supplies and instruments and extra equipment to proper storage. - 10%
- Maintains aseptic techniques; actively monitor situations which could lead to breaches in aseptic technique. Takes action to correct. - 10%
- Completes annual age specific accountabilities. - 5%
- Completes annual 15 hours of ST continuing education between Jan 1st - Dec. 1st each year. - 5%
Supervisory/Management Responsibilities
This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive.
Minimum Requirements
Diploma in Surgical Technology
No previous experience required.
Required Certifications/Registrations/Licenses
CST - Surgical Technologist
Certification with NBSTSA or NCCT certification accepted if ST was employed as a ST in S.C. prior to January 1, 2008 or completed a ST military training program.
In Lieu Of The Above Minimum Requirements
In lieu of the education requirement only, must be current with mandatory 15 hours annually of ST continuing education AND either have been employed as a ST in S.C. prior to Jan. 1, 2008 OR have completed a ST military training program.
Team members employed in this job prior to July 1, 2020, without surgical tech certification that are grandfathered under South Carolina law are not required to obtain certification but are required to complete 15 hours annually of continuing ST education.
Other Required Skills and Experience
Basic Computer Skills
Knowledge of office equipment (fax/copier)
Completes 15 hours of mandatory ST education annually - Required
Maintains surgical technology certification - Required
Work Shift
Day (United States of America)
Location
Parkridge
Facility
1560 Baptist Parkridge Hospital
Department
15606160 Operating Room
Share your talent with us! Our vision is simple: to transform healthcare for the benefits of the communities we serve. The transformation of healthcare requires talented individuals in every role here at Prisma Health.
Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.
Job Summary
Assists in care of patients of all ages before, during and after surgical procedures by performing scrub duties and related functions as a member of the surgical team on a novice to advanced beginner level completing identified job competencies. Maintains patient safety, privacy and confidentiality. Complies with legal aspects of patient care. Complies with sterilization standards and standards for handling sharps or contaminated instruments. Participates in quality improvement activities and completes hospital required education annually.
Bonus
This position is bonus eligible, follow this link for details.
Accountabilities
- Prepares for surgical procedures by collecting necessary supplies and instruments according to Surgeon Preference Card. - 15%
- Prepares the Operating Room for cases by opening sterile supplies, setting up table, arranging instruments and supplies according to type of case. - 10%
- Assists the surgical team during the operative procedure. Assists in maintaining correct count of instruments, needles and sponges. Identifies and cares for specimens. Handles drugs and solutions under direction of the RN. - 45%
- Cleans and prepares rooms between procedures and terminally clean at the end of the day. Returns unused supplies and instruments and extra equipment to proper storage. - 10%
- Maintains aseptic techniques; actively monitor situations which could lead to breaches in aseptic technique. Takes action to correct. - 10%
- Completes annual age specific accountabilities. - 5%
- Completes annual 15 hours of ST continuing education between Jan 1st - Dec. 1st each year. - 5%
Supervisory/Management Responsibilities
This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive.
Minimum Requirements
Diploma in Surgical Technology
No previous experience required.
Required Certifications/Registrations/Licenses
CST - Surgical Technologist
Certification with NBSTSA or NCCT certification accepted if ST was employed as a ST in S.C. prior to January 1, 2008 or completed a ST military training program.
In Lieu Of The Above Minimum Requirements
In lieu of the education requirement only, must be current with mandatory 15 hours annually of ST continuing education AND either have been employed as a ST in S.C. prior to Jan. 1, 2008 OR have completed a ST military training program.
Team members employed in this job prior to July 1, 2020, without surgical tech certification that are grandfathered under South Carolina law are not required to obtain certification but are required to complete 15 hours annually of continuing ST education.
Other Required Skills and Experience
Basic Computer Skills
Knowledge of office equipment (fax/copier)
Completes 15 hours of mandatory ST education annually - Required
Maintains surgical technology certification - Required
Work Shift
Day (United States of America)
Location
Parkridge
Facility
1560 Baptist Parkridge Hospital
Department
15606160 Operating Room
Share your talent with us! Our vision is simple: to transform healthcare for the benefits of the communities we serve. The transformation of healthcare requires talented individuals in every role here at Prisma Health.
See all 122+ 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.