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Operating Room Assistant Jobs in Alexandria, VA (NOW HIRING)

Luminis Health

Operating Room Assistant

Lanham, MD · On-site

Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, participates as a member of the multidisciplinary surgical team to assist with operating room set-up and turn-over to enable efficient use of operating ...

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$12

$19

$41

How much do operating room assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for operating room assistant in Alexandria, VA is $19.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.20 and $18.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an operating room assistant?

Operating Room Assistants, also known as OR Assistants or surgical support staff, are healthcare workers who play a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness, safety, and efficiency of the operating room. They transport patients, prepare and clean surgical areas, manage surgical instruments, and assist nurses and surgical teams with non-sterile tasks before, during, and after procedures. Their support ensures a sterile and organized environment, helping surgeries run smoothly and safely.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operating room assistant?

To thrive as an Operating Room Assistant, you need a basic understanding of surgical procedures, infection control, and patient care, typically supported by a high school diploma and on-the-job training or certification in sterile processing. Familiarity with surgical instruments, sterilization equipment, and hospital inventory systems is essential. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills help ensure smooth operations and patient safety in high-pressure environments. These abilities are vital for maintaining a sterile environment, supporting surgical teams, and ensuring successful surgical outcomes.

What are some common challenges operating room assistants face during surgical procedures?

Operating Room Assistants often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict sterility in a fast-paced environment, quickly adapting to changing surgical needs, and efficiently coordinating with the surgical team under pressure. They must be vigilant to prevent contamination, manage surgical instruments, and anticipate the needs of surgeons and nurses. Strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm during emergencies are essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Operating Room Assistant vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectOperating Room AssistantSurgical Technologist
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingPost-secondary education; certification often required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, surgical centersHospitals, surgical centers, outpatient facilities
Job RoleAssist surgical team with supplies, prep rooms, and patient carePrepare operating rooms, sterilize instruments, assist during surgeries

While both roles support surgical teams, Operating Room Assistants typically focus on patient support and logistical tasks, whereas Surgical Technologists have specialized training to prepare surgical instruments and assist directly during procedures. Both roles are essential in surgical settings, but Surgical Technologists usually require formal certification and have more technical responsibilities.

How do you become an operating room assistant?

To become an operating room assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may pursue relevant certifications such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Surgical Technologist. On-the-job training is common, and strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are important skills for the role.

How hard is it to become an operating room assistant?

Becoming an operating room assistant typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, along with on-the-job training or certification in healthcare support. Some positions may prefer or require knowledge of medical terminology, basic patient care skills, and familiarity with surgical environments, but the entry process is generally accessible with minimal formal education.

What are popular job titles related to Operating Room Assistant jobs in Alexandria, VA?

For Operating Room Assistant jobs in Alexandria, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Operating Room Assistant jobs in Alexandria, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Operating Room Assistant jobs in Alexandria, VA are:

What cities near Alexandria, VA are hiring for Operating Room Assistant jobs?

Cities near Alexandria, VA with the most Operating Room Assistant job openings:

Operating Room Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operating Room Assistant job openings in Alexandria, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,568 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Operating Room Assistant

Luminis Health

Lanham, MD • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Luminis Health rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

110th of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Position Objective:

Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, participates as a member of the multidisciplinary surgical team to assist with operating room set-up and turn-over to enable efficient use of operating room scheduling time in accordance with the Standards of Care at AAMC.

Essential Job Duties:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

  1. Identifies and pulls specific equipment/instruments according to physician preference cards and have readily available for the surgical procedure. Pulls sutures according to physicians preference cards for the next days surgical procedures.
  2. Prepares operating rooms for use: damp mops and dust all horizontal surfaces before the first case of the day, anticipates and provides needed equipment for surgical cases, i.e. positioning devices, light sources, towers, tanks, fluids, etc. Will assist EVS with room turn-over to maintain targeted room turnover between surgical cases.
  3.  Will restock OR inventory according to PAR levels on a daily basis.  Assist with opening sterile supplies onto the back table for room readiness. Anticipates need for reprocessing of instruments and ensures items are ready when needed for Surgical procedure. Transports contaminated instruments to Central Sterile.
  4. Assist surgical team in positioning the surgical patient and holding limbs for preps.
  5. Assist with transport of surgical patient to the OR and to PACU; understands the importance of surgical specimens and transports specimens to the lab when required. Retrieves blood for transfusions from the lab under the direction of the RN.

Educational/Experience Requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Preferred Experience: One year previous experience as a surgical patient care technician.

RequiredLicense/Certifications:

American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS

Working Conditions, Equipment, Physical Demands:

There is a reasonable expectation that employees in this position will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens.

Physical Demands - Very heavy work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The above job description is an overview of the functions and requirements for this position.  This document is not intended to be an exhaustive list encompassing every duty and requirement of this position; your supervisor may assign other duties as deemed necessary.

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