OR Tech Jobs in California
OR Tech jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in the state's large academic medical centers, trauma hospitals, and outpatient surgery centers, with openings at every level from newly certified to lead and senior tech. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the heaviest hiring metros, anchored by institutions such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The most consistently sought specialties in California are orthopedic, cardiovascular, and robotic-assisted surgery support. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Overview:
The OR Tech Specialist supports the department of Surgical Services in the provision of patient care by the coordination of surgical instrumentation and performance of scrub technologist activities in all specialty areas under the direction of a Registered Nurse. The OR Tech Specialist is skilled in multiple complex surgical specialties and he/she may be assigned oversight and responsibility for at least ONE of the major surgical services. Additional responsibilities include the provision of organizational, communication and assistive skills necessary to facilitate the flow of surgery department service activities. These responsibilities include provision of availability/maintenance of instruments, adherence to aseptic technique, advanced knowledge of surgical procedures and support of resources to patients, visitors, physicians, staff and ancillary personnel. The OR Tech Specialist assigned responsibility for a specific service will be responsible for the maintenance of surgical supplies and equipment, order functions, and orientation/training of new personnel in the surgical service(s) under his/her care. He/she will collaborate with the healthcare team towards achieving departmental fiscal goals and quality care outcomes for the divisions within surgical services. The OR Tech Specialist position supports the Clinical Shift Manager(s), RN Specialty Leads, Service Coordinators and the Director of Perioperative Services in the implementation of surgical services’ activities.
Examples of duties include:
- Effective communication to facilitate patient care delivery and unit efficiency
- Perform daily organization of surgical field
- Provide case specific supplies, instrumentation and equipment
- Knowledge of computer system utilized within the department
- Adheres to and supports the Patient Safety Protocol
- Assist with instruments and supplies for surgery schedule (case picking)
- Maintain current/accurate surgical specialty information
- Participates in performance process as requested
- Assist with computer management of charge process and preference list updates as requested
- Support and assist with staff cross-training
- Assist with instrument room activities as requested
- Collaborates with RN Leads Coordinator of Surgical Services to obtain specialty equipment for cases
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Training/Experience:
Graduate of accredited surgical technologist program or military training program
College education preferred.
Ten years experience as a surgical technologist in an acute setting with CST certificate preferred. In lieu of this experience, consideration will be made for staff with strong education and associated experiential background.
Knowledge of computer systems and instrument processing expertise.
Knowledge of sterility standards, AAMI and AORN
Knowledge of AORN standards.
Licenses/Certifications:
CORT/CST certificate preferred
Current BLS-HCP
Overview:
The OR Tech Specialist supports the department of Surgical Services in the provision of patient care by the coordination of surgical instrumentation and performance of scrub technologist activities in all specialty areas under the direction of a Registered Nurse. The OR Tech Specialist is skilled in multiple complex surgical specialties and he/she may be assigned oversight and responsibility for at least ONE of the major surgical services. Additional responsibilities include the provision of organizational, communication and assistive skills necessary to facilitate the flow of surgery department service activities. These responsibilities include provision of availability/maintenance of instruments, adherence to aseptic technique, advanced knowledge of surgical procedures and support of resources to patients, visitors, physicians, staff and ancillary personnel. The OR Tech Specialist assigned responsibility for a specific service will be responsible for the maintenance of surgical supplies and equipment, order functions, and orientation/training of new personnel in the surgical service(s) under his/her care. He/she will collaborate with the healthcare team towards achieving departmental fiscal goals and quality care outcomes for the divisions within surgical services. The OR Tech Specialist position supports the Clinical Shift Manager(s), RN Specialty Leads, Service Coordinators and the Director of Perioperative Services in the implementation of surgical services’ activities.
Examples of duties include:
- Effective communication to facilitate patient care delivery and unit efficiency
- Perform daily organization of surgical field
- Provide case specific supplies, instrumentation and equipment
- Knowledge of computer system utilized within the department
- Adheres to and supports the Patient Safety Protocol
- Assist with instruments and supplies for surgery schedule (case picking)
- Maintain current/accurate surgical specialty information
- Participates in performance process as requested
- Assist with computer management of charge process and preference list updates as requested
- Support and assist with staff cross-training
- Assist with instrument room activities as requested
- Collaborates with RN Leads Coordinator of Surgical Services to obtain specialty equipment for cases
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Training/Experience:
Graduate of accredited surgical technologist program or military training program
College education preferred.
Ten years experience as a surgical technologist in an acute setting with CST certificate preferred. In lieu of this experience, consideration will be made for staff with strong education and associated experiential background.
Knowledge of computer systems and instrument processing expertise.
Knowledge of sterility standards, AAMI and AORN
Knowledge of AORN standards.
Licenses/Certifications:
CORT/CST certificate preferred
Current BLS-HCP
See All 12 OR Tech Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find OR Tech JobsOR Tech Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
OR Tech Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Dorsey & Whitney LLP4
- AHMC Healthcare1
- Abbott Diagnostics Scarborough1
- Aggreko1
- DXC Technology1
Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services4
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
- Animal Care & Pet Services1
- Banking & Financial Services1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in OR tech jobs across California.
- Certification as a Surgical Technologist (CST) through NBSTSA recognized by California employers
- Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program, preferably CAAHEP or ABHES accredited
- Demonstrated experience scrubbing on general and specialty surgical cases in an acute-care setting
- Familiarity with sterile field maintenance, instrument processing, and California infection-control standards
- Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, and call as required by California hospital policies
- Basic Life Support certification current through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
OR Tech Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a or tech in California?
California does not issue a state license for surgical technologists, but most California hospitals require national certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. To sit for that exam you must complete an accredited surgical technology program, typically an associate degree or certificate lasting one to two years. Completing a CAAHEP-accredited program in California is the most direct path to meeting employer requirements statewide.
How much do OR teches make in California?
OR teches in California earn a median of about $81,310 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $49,140 for the lowest 10% to over $115,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire or techs in California?
Employers hiring or techs in California right now include Dorsey & Whitney LLP, AHMC Healthcare, and Abbott Diagnostics Scarborough, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large integrated health systems and academic medical centers drive the majority of consistent openings, particularly those with high surgical volume and Level I or II trauma designations.
Which California cities have the most or tech jobs?
Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Anaheim have the most or tech openings in California right now. Los Angeles dominates because of its concentration of large acute-care hospitals and specialty surgery centers, while San Francisco and San Diego reflect the density of academic medical centers and research hospitals that maintain high surgical caseloads year-round.
Are there remote or tech jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. OR techs work directly in sterile surgical fields, so the core role is inherently hands-on and on-site. About 58% of or tech openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, which typically reflects adjacent roles such as surgical technology education, instrument sales support, or sterile processing coordination rather than direct scrub duties.
How can I get hired as a or tech in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program at a California community college, which many offer, then applying directly to new-graduate or extern programs at large California health systems. Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health both run structured new-grad onboarding for surgical techs. Candidates who have worked as certified sterile processing technicians or surgical assistants have a recognized lateral pathway, and holding or sitting for the CST exam before applying gives a measurable edge over uncertified candidates.
Where can I find and apply to or tech jobs in California?
You can find and apply to or tech jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from hospitals, surgical centers, and health systems across the state. Find the roles that fit your experience and credentials, then apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 12 OR Tech Jobs in California
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