OPT OR Tech Jobs
OR Tech jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with surgical technology, allied health, or biology backgrounds. Most roles require hands-on clinical training, which counts toward your practical training hours. Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization, with STEM extensions available for qualifying degree programs.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: Wichita, Kansas
Facility: Via Christi St. Joseph
Department: Surgery IP
Schedule: Day | Full-time
Sign-on Bonus: Up to $5,000.00
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
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):
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- One or more of the following:
- Surgical Tech credentialed from the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date. Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) by the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)
- 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. Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
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: Wichita, Kansas
Facility: Via Christi St. Joseph
Department: Surgery IP
Schedule: Day | Full-time
Sign-on Bonus: Up to $5,000.00
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
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):
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- One or more of the following:
- Surgical Tech credentialed from the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date. Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) by the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)
- 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. Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
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 OPT OR Tech Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT OR Tech Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in OR Tech
Lead with your clinical training credentials
Hospitals and surgical centers prioritize candidates with CST certification or accredited surgical tech program completion. Listing your clinical hours and credentialing status upfront signals job readiness and reduces employer hesitation around your OPT work authorization timeline.
Target health systems with established foreign national hiring
Large hospital networks like HCA Healthcare, Ascension, and CommonSpirit regularly hire international staff. These systems have HR infrastructure familiar with OPT work authorization, making the process smoother than approaching smaller independent surgical centers or specialty clinics.
Clarify your OPT timeline in your cover letter
State your OPT start date, expiration date, and whether you qualify for a STEM extension. Employers often decline OPT candidates due to timeline confusion, not unwillingness to hire. Proactive transparency removes that barrier before the interview stage.
Obtain CST certification before your OPT period begins
Certified Surgical Technologist credentials through NBSTSA significantly strengthen your candidacy. Many hospitals require or strongly prefer CST-certified candidates, and holding the credential shifts the conversation from visa logistics to your clinical qualifications.
Pursue roles at teaching hospitals and academic medical centers
Teaching hospitals affiliated with universities often have more experience navigating visa sponsorship and OPT transitions. They also tend to offer structured onboarding and mentorship, which supports international hires adjusting to U.S. surgical protocols and documentation standards.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly surgical tech openings
Browse OR Tech listings on Migrate Mate, which is built specifically for F-1 OPT students. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers saves time and connects you directly with surgical centers and hospitals that actively hire international candidates.
OR Tech OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an OR Tech on F-1 OPT?
Yes, OR Tech roles qualify as practical training under F-1 OPT when the work is directly related to your field of study. Surgical technology, allied health, and biology degree holders commonly qualify. Your DSO confirms eligibility, and you must have your EAD card in hand before your start date.
Do OR Tech employers typically sponsor visas after OPT ends?
Sponsorship varies by employer. Large health systems and academic medical centers are more likely to sponsor H-1B visa or other visas than smaller surgical centers. OR Tech roles can qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B if the position requires a degree in a specific field, though this is assessed case by case.
Does OR Tech work qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree. If you graduated from a STEM-designated program such as biomedical science, biology, or health informatics, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. A surgical technology degree is typically not STEM-designated. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific CIP code qualifies.
Where can I find OR Tech jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers. You can browse OR Tech listings from employers who are open to hiring international candidates, saving you from applying to roles where your work authorization status will disqualify you before the first interview.
Is CST certification required to work as an OR Tech on OPT?
Many hospital systems require or strongly prefer Certified Surgical Technologist credentials through NBSTSA, though requirements vary by state and employer. Holding CST certification before your OPT period begins strengthens your candidacy significantly and reduces employer concerns about training investment for a time-limited work authorization period.