2

Entry Level Operating Room Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Operating Room information

See Tennessee salary details

$537

$1.5K

$2.3K

How much do entry level operating room jobs pay per week?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average weekly pay for entry level operating room in Tennessee is $1,546.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,225.00 and $1,884.62 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Entry-level operating room jobs typically do not pay $4,000 a week without specialized training or certifications. High-paying roles that can reach this level without a degree are rare and often involve skilled trades, sales, or entrepreneurial work, but most healthcare positions require relevant education or experience. For high earnings, consider roles in sales, real estate, or skilled trades that emphasize experience and performance over formal degrees.

Do you need experience to be an operating room assistant?

Entry level operating room assistants typically do not need prior experience, as training is often provided on the job. However, having a background in healthcare, such as a certification in medical assisting or phlebotomy, can be beneficial. Strong communication skills and the ability to follow strict protocols are important in this role.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level staff in the operating room, and how can they overcome them?

Entry-level operating room staff often face challenges such as adapting to the fast-paced environment, learning complex surgical protocols, and managing stress during high-stakes procedures. It’s important to ask questions, seek guidance from experienced team members, and participate in ongoing training to build confidence and proficiency. Developing strong communication skills and staying organized can also help new team members effectively support surgeons and nurses, ensuring patient safety and smooth operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Operating Room Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as an entry level operating room technician, you need a solid understanding of sterile technique, basic surgical procedures, and a certificate or diploma in surgical technology. Familiarity with surgical instruments, sterilization equipment, and electronic documentation systems is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial to ensuring patient safety, supporting surgical teams, and maintaining efficient operating room workflows.

Is surgical tech harder than RN?

Surgical technologists and registered nurses (RNs) in the operating room have different responsibilities; RNs typically have more advanced training and broader patient care duties, making their role generally more complex. Surgical techs focus on preparing the operating room and assisting during surgeries, requiring technical skills and knowledge of surgical instruments. Both roles require certification and specialized training, but RNs usually undergo longer education and have a wider scope of practice.

What is the difference between Entry Level Operating Room vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectEntry Level Operating RoomSurgical Technologist
CertificationsCPR, Basic Life Support (BLS), possibly Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or equivalent certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical centers, clinicsHospitals, outpatient surgery centers, clinics
Job RoleAssist in surgical procedures, prepare operating rooms, pass instrumentsPrepare operating rooms, sterilize equipment, assist during surgeries

Both roles typically require similar certifications and work in hospital or surgical settings. An Entry Level Operating Room often refers to a beginner position assisting in surgeries, while a Surgical Technologist is a certified professional with specific credentials. The roles overlap in duties and environment, making them closely related entry-level positions in surgical support.

What is the easiest hospital job to get into?

Entry-level hospital jobs such as patient transport, medical receptionist, or cleaning staff are generally easier to obtain due to lower certification requirements and high turnover. These roles often require minimal prior experience and provide opportunities to gain healthcare exposure before advancing to more specialized positions like an entry-level operating room technician.

What are entry level operating room jobs?

Entry level operating room jobs typically refer to positions such as surgical technologists, operating room assistants, or scrub techs who support surgeons and nurses during surgical procedures. These roles often involve preparing the operating room, sterilizing equipment, and assisting with patient care before, during, and after surgery. Entry-level roles usually require a high school diploma or equivalent, and some may need a specialized certification or on-the-job training. These positions provide valuable experience for those interested in advancing within surgical or healthcare careers.
What are the most commonly searched types of Operating Room jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Operating Room jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Operating Room jobs in Tennessee? For Entry Level Operating Room jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Operating Room jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Operating Room jobs in Tennessee are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Operating Room job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,439 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

Anesthesia Technician, FT Nights

Vanderbilt Health

Nashville, TN • On-site

Other

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 17 days ago


Vanderbilt University Medical Center rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 251 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

184th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.
Organization:
Anesthesiology
Job Summary:
Anesthesia Technician
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Your Role:
Prepares the Operating Rooms with equipment and supplies to support the daily workload with occasional guidance; assists anesthetists and anesthesiologists, patients and co-workers; tracks and maintains equipment, specialty carts, trays and inventory and participates in the advancement training program. Conducts FDA anesthesia machine check.
Position Shift:
  • 10p-6:30a, M-F
Department Summary: The Vanderbilt Department of Anesthesiology embraces the anesthesia care team approach to patient care, involving anesthesiologists and residents, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) and anesthesia technicians. The department at Vanderbilt provides anesthesia for all types of surgical procedures, including cardiac, pediatrics, vascular, trauma, neurosurgery, plastics, radiologic, and special procedures.
Position Qualifications:
Required:
  • High School Diploma or GED (or equivalent experience)
  • Bachelor's Degree is strongly preferred
  • Our department prefers candidates with some prior or current experience in comparable clinical settings.
  • Strong preference for candidates with previous healthcare experience, particularly in the operating room setting

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Conducts FDA anesthesia machine check.
• Prepares general, MAC, or regional cases.
• Consults operating room schedule to determine equipment needs for procedures and prepares operating room for indicated procedure to include setting up and calibrating monitoring equipment.
• Assists licensed anesthesia care provider in clinical settings outside the operating rooms, included but not limited to: interventional and or/diagnostic radiology, Cath Lab, endoscopy, ambulatory surgery suites, and any other areas as needed.
• Functions as a first line of defense in troubleshooting situations involving machines, monitors, and equipment relative to Anesthesia.
• Assists Anesthesia Provider during Invasive line placement - arterial, central, PA (knowledge of how to calibrate and troubleshoot).
• Maintains inventory of emergency carts - trauma and airway.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.
TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
• Medical Terminology & Documentation (Fundamental Awareness): Has limited experience, training, direct exposure, or past experience working with medical terminology and documentation.
• Equipment Maintenance (Fundamental Awareness): Has limited experience, training, direct exposure, or past experience conducting maintenance activities in area of assignments.
• Anesthesiology/Anesthesia Technical Support (Fundamental Awareness): Has limited experience, training, direct exposure, or past experience working as Anesthesia Technical Support.
Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.
These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health's reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.
Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.
Core Accountabilities:
* Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine that may impact team's performance with occasional guidance. * Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes some discretion and research to solve routine problems. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes and procedure that apply to your own job. * Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry level co-workers.
Core Capabilities :
Supporting Colleagues : Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.- Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively : - Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation : - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them. - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.
Position Qualifications:
Responsibilities:
Certifications:
Work Experience:
Relevant Work Experience
Experience Level :
Less than 1 year
Education:
High School Diploma or GED
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.

What Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom