OPT Operating Room Technician Jobs
Operating Room Technician jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with surgical technology or allied health degrees. Most positions require BLS certification and NBSTSA credentials. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to complete a full contract cycle, and STEM OPT extension may apply if your degree qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsDescription
Summary:
Demonstrates proficiency and independence in the care of patients and their families/significant others by applying and documenting the nursing process, assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Consults with staff, physicians and management on nursing problems and interpretation of hospital policies to ensure patient needs are met. Continues to learn new skills and maintains clinical competency within the department to provide direct and safe patient care.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Promotes positive public relations for the department and the hospital by presenting self in a professional manner; assisting in community service programs, as requested.
- Ability to problem solve patient/family issues to a positive conclusion for all involved.
- Demonstrates communication skills necessary to interact with persons of varying age and/or cultures. Always displays a positive attitude.
- Develops and maintains good relationships with co-workers, other department staff and physicians. No disruptions.
- Practices five rights of medication administration.
- Demonstrates efficient time management skills to maximize productivity.
- Demonstrates and encourages teamwork.
- Asks for assistance and information from others when necessary.
- Support the Mission and Philosophy of the hospital and the Department. Demonstrates an understanding of and complies with Policies & Procedures.
- Supports a nursing philosophy of caring.
- Acts as patient advocate, including family in patient’s care and respecting confidentiality.
- Able to set aside personal values to care for patients whose values conflict.
- Respects the patient’s cultural and religious beliefs.
- Effectively deals with end-of-life decisions (code status).
- Can be relied upon to work assigned shifts. (Refers to absenteeism).
- Is accountable for actions, behaviors, and decisions.
- Utilizes chain of command appropriately to resolve issues.
- Participates in hospital quality activities as required.
- Participates in department quality activities as required.
- The employee will adhere to organizational/departmental customer service standards.
- Utilizes Policies & Procedures as necessary and can access via Intranet.
- Participates in yearly legal compliance training.
- Explains departmental chain of command.
- Explains purpose of Legal Compliance Hotline and utilizes if indicated.
- Participates in departmental Legal Compliance plan.
- Attended Orientation/Re-Orientation.
- Completed Annual Department Competencies.
- Promotes positive public relations for the department and the hospital.
- Presents self in a professional manner; assists in community service programs as requested.
- Demonstrates communication skills necessary to interact with persons of varying age and/or cultures.
- Answers telephone as assigned, routes calls or takes messages appropriately.
- Supports the Mission and Philosophy of the hospital and the Department. Demonstrates an understanding and application of these policies.
- Respects confidentiality.
- Ability to speak additional languages preferred.
- Must have strong written and verbal skills.
- Must have basic computer knowledge.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing preferred.
Experience
- 1 year of experience in the related nursing specialty preferred.
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- BLS required.
- RN License in state of employment required.
- ACLS required.
- PALS required.
- Verbal CPI hire required.
Work Schedule:
4 Days - 10 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
Description
Summary:
Demonstrates proficiency and independence in the care of patients and their families/significant others by applying and documenting the nursing process, assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Consults with staff, physicians and management on nursing problems and interpretation of hospital policies to ensure patient needs are met. Continues to learn new skills and maintains clinical competency within the department to provide direct and safe patient care.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Promotes positive public relations for the department and the hospital by presenting self in a professional manner; assisting in community service programs, as requested.
- Ability to problem solve patient/family issues to a positive conclusion for all involved.
- Demonstrates communication skills necessary to interact with persons of varying age and/or cultures. Always displays a positive attitude.
- Develops and maintains good relationships with co-workers, other department staff and physicians. No disruptions.
- Practices five rights of medication administration.
- Demonstrates efficient time management skills to maximize productivity.
- Demonstrates and encourages teamwork.
- Asks for assistance and information from others when necessary.
- Support the Mission and Philosophy of the hospital and the Department. Demonstrates an understanding of and complies with Policies & Procedures.
- Supports a nursing philosophy of caring.
- Acts as patient advocate, including family in patient’s care and respecting confidentiality.
- Able to set aside personal values to care for patients whose values conflict.
- Respects the patient’s cultural and religious beliefs.
- Effectively deals with end-of-life decisions (code status).
- Can be relied upon to work assigned shifts. (Refers to absenteeism).
- Is accountable for actions, behaviors, and decisions.
- Utilizes chain of command appropriately to resolve issues.
- Participates in hospital quality activities as required.
- Participates in department quality activities as required.
- The employee will adhere to organizational/departmental customer service standards.
- Utilizes Policies & Procedures as necessary and can access via Intranet.
- Participates in yearly legal compliance training.
- Explains departmental chain of command.
- Explains purpose of Legal Compliance Hotline and utilizes if indicated.
- Participates in departmental Legal Compliance plan.
- Attended Orientation/Re-Orientation.
- Completed Annual Department Competencies.
- Promotes positive public relations for the department and the hospital.
- Presents self in a professional manner; assists in community service programs as requested.
- Demonstrates communication skills necessary to interact with persons of varying age and/or cultures.
- Answers telephone as assigned, routes calls or takes messages appropriately.
- Supports the Mission and Philosophy of the hospital and the Department. Demonstrates an understanding and application of these policies.
- Respects confidentiality.
- Ability to speak additional languages preferred.
- Must have strong written and verbal skills.
- Must have basic computer knowledge.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing preferred.
Experience
- 1 year of experience in the related nursing specialty preferred.
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- BLS required.
- RN License in state of employment required.
- ACLS required.
- PALS required.
- Verbal CPI hire required.
Work Schedule:
4 Days - 10 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
See all 281+ OPT Operating Room Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Operating Room Technician
Target hospital systems with established OPT hiring pipelines
Large hospital networks and academic medical centers hire OPT students more regularly than independent surgical centers. Focus your search on health systems with dedicated HR teams familiar with work authorization paperwork and OPT reporting obligations.
Get your NBSTSA certification before you apply
Most OR departments require Certified Surgical Technologist credentials before extending an offer. Having your CST in hand before applying removes a common hiring objection and signals you're ready to work without delay once onboarded.
Be upfront about your OPT end date in early conversations
Surgical departments plan staffing months in advance. Disclosing your authorization timeline early helps hiring managers assess fit and gives compliance teams enough lead time to begin any visa sponsorship process if they choose to pursue it.
Pursue travel OR tech contracts to extend your network
Travel surgical technologist roles expose you to multiple hospital systems quickly. Each placement builds relationships with OR directors who may advocate for permanent sponsorship, and contract work is fully compatible with OPT authorization during your valid period.
Highlight scrub experience across multiple surgical specialties
Employers sponsoring OPT students want versatile candidates. Documenting hands-on experience in orthopedics, cardiovascular, and general surgery makes you a stronger hire and reduces the training burden that sometimes causes employers to hesitate on authorization paperwork.
Ask specifically about H-1B and green card sponsorship history
Before accepting a role, ask HR whether the facility has sponsored surgical technologists for H-1B visa or employment-based green cards before. Prior sponsorship experience is the strongest predictor of willingness to repeat the process for you.
Operating Room Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Operating Room Technicians in the United States?
Yes. Operating Room Technician roles are compatible with F-1 OPT authorization as long as the position is directly related to your field of study, typically surgical technology, health sciences, or a closely related allied health program. You must maintain a valid EAD and report your employment to your DSO within 10 days of starting.
Do Operating Room Technician jobs typically lead to H-1B visa sponsorship?
Some do, but it depends on the employer. Large hospital systems and academic medical centers are more likely to have sponsored surgical technologists for H-1B visas than smaller outpatient facilities. The OR Tech role generally qualifies as a specialty occupation, but you should confirm with individual employers before accepting a position. Migrate Mate lists OR tech roles filtered by sponsorship history to help you find the right fit.
Does a surgical technology degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most surgical technology programs are not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes, which means a standard 24-month STEM OPT extension is unlikely. However, if your degree is in biomedical science, health informatics, or another STEM-adjacent field, check your program's CIP code with your DSO. The extension depends on the specific degree, not the job title.
What happens to my OPT status if I move between hospitals or surgical centers?
Each employer change must be reported to your DSO within 10 days. OPT allows you to change employers freely during your valid authorization period, but you must be actively working in a role related to your degree. A gap longer than 90 cumulative days of unemployment during OPT can jeopardize your status, so minimize time between positions.
Are contract or travel Operating Room Technician positions allowed under OPT?
Yes. OPT permits contract, per diem, and travel surgical technologist roles as long as the work is related to your field of study and you are receiving compensation. Each new assignment or contract employer must be reported to your DSO. Short-term contracts between placements count toward your unemployment day limit, so track gaps carefully throughout your OPT period.