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.
Find OPT Operating Room Technician JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 416+ Operating Room Technician jobs










See all 416+ Operating Room Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Operating Room Technician roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Location: UCHealth UCHlth Anschutz Inpt Pavilion, US:CO:Aurora
Department: OR Operating Room AIP
Work Schedule: PRN 0.00 hours per pay period (2 weeks)
Shift: Days
Pay: $38.91 - $60.31 / hour. Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience
This position is an onsite role and does not offer a hybrid or remote option
Minimum Requirements:
- Graduate of an accredited or state board of nursing approved Registered/Professional Nursing program
- State licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN)
- 6 months of OR nursing (RN) experience or completion of the UCHealth Fellowship program
- BLS - BLS through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer with card in-hand before start date. BLS or CPR card must be good through sixty days of hire
At UCHealth, We Improve Lives
Picture yourself on a dynamic team improving lives in the following way(s):
- Provides top of scope practice in direct patient care utilizing the nursing process
- Values a multidisciplinary team approach to achieve exceptional outcomes
- Prioritizes wellness, a patient perspective and evidence-based practice
- Models proficiency through precepting those new to healthcare and/or UCHealth
- Welcomes new knowledge in a fast paced, innovative clinical environment
- Contributes to secure safety and quality at the point of care
Perioperative:
- Direct care includes practice in Perioperative, PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) or Operating Room levels of care
- AORN and ABPANC core curriculum and certifications standards are included in evidence-based care models
- Clinical Educators support and guide individualized specialty education and training for competency validation throughout clinical orientation
Employees are our number one asset.
UCHealth promotes a culture that invests in professional success and personal well-being through a comprehensive total rewards program.
Recognition
- Performance bonus: UCHealth offers a 3-Year Incentive Bonus to recognize employee contributions to our success in quality, patient experience, organizational growth, financial goals and tenure. The bonus accumulates annually each October and is paid out in October during the third year of employment
- Performance-based pay increase: The Annual Merit Pay Increase recognizes work performance that meets or consistently exceeds performance standards documented through UCHealth's established evaluation process and accounts for increased experience, skills and cost of living
- Market reviews: All UCHealth positions are reviewed annually to ensure UCHealth base pay aligns with market standards. Base pay rates are adjusted as needed to stay market competitive
Health and well-being
- Medical, dental and vision coverage
- Access to 24/7 mental health and well-being support for employees and dependents
- Discounted gym memberships and fitness resources
- Free Care.com membership
- Voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal plan, identity theft protection, pet insurance, auto and home insurance, and employee discount programs
- Time away from work: Paid time off (PTO), paid family and medical leave (inclusive of Colorado FAMLI), leaves of absence
- Employer-provided basic life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage with buy-up coverage options
- Employer-provided short-term disability and long-term disability with a buy-up coverage option
Retirement and savings
- 403(b) plan with employer matching contribution
- Additional 457(b) plan may be available
- Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent day care; health savings account available when enrolled in high-deductible (HD) medical plan
Education and career growth
- UCHealth provides access to academic degrees and certificate programs to promote professional and personal growth
- Up to 100% of tuition, books and fees paid for by UCHealth for specific educational degrees
- Other programs may qualify for up to $10,000/year pre-paid by UCHealth or up to $5,250/year in the form of tuition reimbursement
- Access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers thousands of virtual courses and seminars, and internal professional development opportunities
- Employees have access to free assistance navigating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and submitting their federal student loans for forgiveness
Eligibility for some programs is based on an employee's scheduled work hours.
We improve lives. In big ways through learning, healing, and discovery. In small, personal ways through human connection. But in all ways, we improve lives.
UCHealth always welcomes talent. This position will be open for a minimum of three days and until a top applicant is identified.
UCHealth recognizes and appreciates the rich array of talents and perspectives that equal employment and diversity can offer our institution. As an equal opportunity employer, UCHealth is committed to making all employment decisions based on valid requirements. No applicant shall be discriminated against in any terms, conditions or privileges of employment or otherwise be discriminated against because of the individual's race, color, national origin, language, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state, or local law. UCHealth does not discriminate against any qualified applicant with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations, when the do not impose an undue hardship on the organization.
See all 416+ OPT Operating Room Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Operating Room Technician Jobs.
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.